ABERDEEN PRESS AND JOURNAL

BEATTIE RUNS WITH THE PACK - AND PRIDE OF LIONS



John Beattie, jun, son of the Scotland and British Lions number eight of the 1980s, is on a mission to make sure the name bridges the generation gap. The Glasgow flanker, a former Aberdeen Grammar FPs star, is one of the players carrying the national team's hopes in the under-21 world championship in Argentina later this month

Qhas the name John Beattie and your dad's rich rugby heritage been a help or hindrance?

AIt hasn't been a hindrance at all and there are loads of other boys like me knocking about - the Hastings, the Blair brothers, Mike Rutherford, son of John Rutherford, and Greg Laidlaw, nephew of Roy. It's good to have my dad about for advice.

QHas rugby always been your one sporting love?

AI played in the under-12 and under-13 Rangers football teams. A change of school from a primary to a private school really switched me on to the rugby. I also played under-16 and under-19 for Scotland in cricket. I've always enjoyed all sports. I try to play golf but it's not something I did when I was younger so I'm trying to pick up now on my days off. The Glasgow boys tend to play some horrendous rounds of golf - not pretty to watch but good fun.

QHow will Scotland get on in the world championship?

AWe have had a very encouraging under-21 six nations championship. Finishing third is as high as we've ever been. We lost to France by a couple of points and we had a bad game against Wales but that's not something we can't rectify in the worlds. If we are lucky, we could be looking at top six over even top four. A lot depends on our results against Wales and Australia in the pool stage.

QWho will win the tournament?

AThe big favourites are the Southern Hemisphere sides - Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. We have Australia in our pool and there's no reason why we can't beat them. We've just got to back ourselves and go for it.

QWhat are your ambitions for the new season?

ATo try to win a lot more starting spots at Glasgow Rugby. I've started in five games this year but been involved in about 17, so I'm looking to up that number.

QAnd your ultimate ambitions in rugby?

ATo reach the heights that my father did. First and foremost to play and to win for Scotland and then for the British Lions.

QWhat's the best piece of advice you have been given in the sport so far?

AThere are hundreds of people like me with natural talent but if you want to be really successful in your sport you have to work hard. You don't take anything for granted and there's no point being lazy. Whether it's in the gym, training pitch or in games, you have to work and that's the key. I am putting a lot more effort into it now that I'm at professional level. The boys at Glasgow are always telling me to work harder - they're as keen for me to succeed as I am.

QHow did a Glasgow boy find himself turning out for Scotland's most northerly BT Premiership side, Aberdeen Grammar FPs, last season?

AI was in first year of university in Aberdeen studying property management. It was a fantastic time and a great side to be involved in. I really enjoyed the coaching style of Damian Reidy, who's done a fantastic job. It was great to learn from players like Dan Teague and Keith Oddie in my first year of senior rugby. After I finished my first year I came back down to Glasgow and I have been at home for about seven months.

QWhat has been your most memorable match so far?

APlaying away against Toulouse in this season's Heineken Cup. There were 35,000 people in the stadium, the atmosphere was incredible and I was playing against half the French team, who are fantastic players. Also being part of the under-18 and under-21 squads that beat England in 2002 and 2005.

QAnd your favourite venue for rugby?

ANew Anniesland, that's where I played my first school rugby aged about six and my first club rugby as a 17-year-old. It's a little ground in Anniesland but the quality of the pitch is unbelievable and the best I've ever played on.

QIs there a ground you would rather not return to?

AI don't think I have played in any particularly bad grounds. If there have been any bad results anywhere then that's all the more reason to go back and reverse it.

QWho were your sporting heroes as a youngster?

AIn rugby, Jona Lomu for his freakish size, ability and athleticism. In football it was Ally McCoist and in other sports Michael Jordan.

QWhich current sports stars do you admire most?

ATiger Woods and Martin Johnson, who are both at the top of their games in their different sports.

QIf you could change any rule in rugby, which would you choose?

A I'd get rid of scrums because I hate pushing and it slows the game down.

QWhich current player, of any age or nationality, would you draft in to the Scotland squad for the under-21 world championship?

AFiji winger Rupeni Caucau - or I'd take a fit Jona Lomu from five years ago.

QHow do you prepare personally for such a big tournament?

AI'm trying to stay injury free and keeping my strength and fitness work going. Most of it will be with Glasgow Rugby but it will be intertwined with work I do with the Scottish Institute of Sport.

QHow will your recent selection to the Scottish Institute of Sport help you?

AWhen I was younger I did a lot of strength and conditioning work with the West Scotland Institute of Sport. The lifestyle management, sports massage and physio and specialised rugby coaching were all a great help. Being in the Scottish Institute will be a step up in the level of the quality of coaching. I'm looking forward to doing specialist coaching with the rugby manager Bob Easson.

QPhysique or technique - which is most important?

ADefinitely technique. Anyone can work hard and get themselves massive but it's knowing how to use it that is important. I'm working on my physique. I'm 6ft 4in and 17stones. My rugby side is quite good but in the professional level the boys are a lot bigger. I have to get myself a lot stronger - when everyone is outside training, I've been pulled into the gym. I can compete at this level but I can't dominate yet. Eighteen stones would be a pretty good weight, while staying athletic and skilful.

QWho has been your toughest opponent so far?

AAs a team, playing away against Toulouse. One player that stood out was Finau Maka.

QJohn Beattie, sen or John Beattie, jun - who is the better player?

AMy dad's had a couple of Lions tours and already done what I'm aspiring to do, so for now we'll say that he is better. Hopefully. I can get to prove that I can do what he's done.

This article was originally posted on 2-Jun-2005, 11:18 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 2-Jun-2005, 11:23.