You've won it once - now win it again ..
EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS
BILL LOTHIAN ([email protected])
CURRIE rugby coach Ally Donaldson has challenged his side on the eve of the Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership kick-off against Glasgow Hawks at Malleny Park to prove themselves capable of joining an elite band who have successfully defended the title.

"What we learned above all last season was how hard it is to get in a position to win the league, let alone follow right through and clinch that title," he said.

Iframes/JavaScript Tags: "Now we have got to go through it all again."

Donaldson appears to believe, though, that forewarned is forearmed.

"We know what it takes and have been there before," he said.

"What that means is that we shouldn't have any inferiority complex. I'm happy and that is allowing for the fact that because of our geographical location on the outskirts of Edinburgh, recruiting at times can be tough."

That last remark hints at the motivational tool that has carried Currie a long way as they fuel themselves with belief - imagined or otherwise - that opponents are apt to look down their noses at them.

Surely, however, that cuts little ice now and that they start as the team everyone has to beat?

And what competition, with Donaldson maintaining that more than half the 14-team league is a genuine contender.

"I'm sure Hawks will be in there competing at the end of the season and include them among seven or eight who have the capability to challenge us," he said. Where Currie have done well is in reinstating stalwart prop Steve MacEwan to a squad that has hooker Aaron Johnstone enlisted from Livingston and Andrew Binikos pitching up from South Africa on the recommendation of fellow stand off and ex-Currie No.10, Donovan Raw.

After figuring in the first 13 games of last season, during which he demonstrated versatility on both sides of the front row, MacEwan suffered a leg infection that ended his season.

The sight of a popular figure propped up on crutches as Currie embarked on their title run was a poignant one.

Donaldson admitted: "It is tremendous to have Steve back after a long spell of inactivity when he was more or less housebound."

If MacEwan is out to make up for lost time then others will be equally determined to thwart his hopes of helping to complete a Currie title double.

Strong evidence of just how formidable the threat can be is likely to be provided at Raeburn Place tomorrow, where newly promoted Edinburgh Acads await Heriot's with coach Ian Barnes in no mood to settle for second best.

Prompted along the lines that Accies might be looking to carry on where they left off in a promotion season culminating in a cup final appearance, Barnes responded incredulously.

"Our last match was that final - and we didn't do ourselves justice," he said.

If that was a declaration of intent, then Barnes was equally stoical in addressing the loss of flanker Jamie Parker to tomorrow's rivals only a few days ago.

"There were no guarantees that Jamie Parker would have got into our side - we were always going to be perming three from four candidates for our back row," he said.

Parker's place is filled by Patrick Coupar, while a solid-looking Accies pack is enhanced by the return of Simon Willett after two years in New Zealand.

While Accies might be newcomers to the First Division, it is the contention of Heriot's coach Bob McKillop that the real baptism of fire awaits several of his charges.

"With 19 players either unavailable or injured, we are including seven players who were not playing in the top flight a year ago," he said. Among those cutting their teeth at this level are flanker Chris Fusaro, who was part of the Bell Baxter HS/Howe of Fife Colts double act which wrapped up the Scottish Schools and Youth trophies last season.

Also, Chris Simmons has joined from Dalziel with credentials showing he represented Scotland under-19s at No.8 or flanker, although tomorrow he lines up at lock.

Similarly, new hooker Finlay Gillies, from Haddington, is a holder of Scottish age-group caps.

The major threat looks likely to be posed by a more settled-looking Heriot's back line, although McKillop warns "it could be a month before we show our true colours".

One player moving out of Goldenacre and across the city to Meggetland is Scotland under-19 three quarter Tom Bury, who is included in the squad to host Melrose.

Listed at second row is Fergus Pringle, with team manager Grant Wilson making the point that Boroughmuir have first call on a player due to sit on the bench for Edinburgh at Bath tonight.

"There are some who are Edinburgh players and able to be released to clubs occasionally," he said.

"The converse is that club players can be released to Edinburgh and Fergus, who is a model professional and an ideal example to our younger lads, comes into that category."

With regular goal-kicker Ross Cook moving to Italy, that responsibility will now fall to Elgan O'Donnell.

One player apparently ruled out of club action due to Edinburgh commitments tonight is prop Kyle Traynor, although that has not prevented him from sounding a rallying call ahead of Watsonians' trip to Hawick.

"Winning the title is our aim and anything less than that is a failure by the standards we set," said Traynor in confirming he hopes to use his second season at Myreside to eventually claim a full-time contract with Edinburgh. Still only 21 and in the final year of a quantity surveying degree, Traynor has so far been able to balance rugby and studies.

Now he hopes this will be a breakthrough season, having prepared on club and super-team front.

"I benefited from the team-bonding exercise undertaken by Watsonians in Perthshire recently and also from specialised weight training at Edinburgh," he said.

"Club prospects are especially good with Rohan Steyl arriving from South Africa and posting four tries in a 50-5 warm up win at Selkirk last weekend .

"Also, Josh Abrahams has arrived from New Zealand and shown himself to be in the same mould as recently retired coach Cammy Mather with long arms that he uses to make a nuisance of himself in rucks and turn over situations."

With Eddie Howe featuring at scrum half after signing from New Zealand, Watsonians have certainly cast their net wide and far. Additionally, hard-running South Sea Island centre Malasai Mailo is due back at Myreside on Monday.

Missing for a few more weeks will be returning stalwart Bernard Hennessey after injuring two fingers in a work accident while helping prepare the pitch for the recent Scotland-South Africa football international at Pittodrie, Aberdeen.

• FORRESTER FP will unveil new recruits PJ Crolla and Dave Moffat (ex-Murrayfield Wanderers) as well as former Currie pair Simon May and Euan Brodie when they debut in National League Division Two against Newton Stewart tomorrow.

To mark their highest ever league outing, Forrester have arranged a reunion lunch for former players.

BOROUGHMUIR
Coaches: Eamonn John, Stuart Reid.

In: Matt Cannon (London Welsh), Fergus Pringle (Edinburgh), Calum Cusiter (Borders), Dan Susnik (St Helens RL Academy), Sean Crombie (Edinburgh), Chris Hill (Merchiston).

Out:Craig Marshall (Stew/Mel), Sean Hollywood (Portobello), Chris Capaldi (retired), Charlie Keenan (working in Spain), Ross Cook (playing in Tuscany).

One to watch: Angus Martyn.

Last season: Sixth

CURRIE
Coaches: Ally Donaldson, Mark Blair.

In: Andrew Binikos (South Africa), Lawrence Lappin (Haddington).

Out: Paul Huntly (Blackrock College), Ally Warnock (Edinburgh), Graham Calder (Stirling County).

One to watch: Ross Weston, right.

Last season: Champions

EDIN ACCIES
Coaches: Ian Barnes, Tom Philip.

In: Iain Berthuinussen (Borders), Robert Lovatt (Trinity), Matt Coupar (Watsonians).

Out: Jamie Parker (Heriot's), Quentin Gardiner, Joe Edwards returned to New Zealand).

One to watch: Chris Kinloch.

Last season: Promoted

HERIOT'S
Coaches: Bob McKillop, George Breckenridge.

In: Jamie Parker (Edin Accies), Bruce McNeill (Hawick), Murray Strang (Hawks), Andy Douglas (Haddington), Colin Goudie (Stew/Mel), Wullie Blacklock (Hawick), Finlay Gillies (Haddington), Chris Fusaro (Howe of Fife)

Out: Roddy Deans (rtd), Apo Satala (Stoke), Anton Edwards (returned to NZ), Mark Lee (London Welsh), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh).

One to watch: Jamie Parker.

Last season: Fourth

WATSONIANS
Coaches: Cammy Mather, Andrew Ker.

In: Eddie Howe, Josh Abrahams (both New Zealand), Rohan Steyl (Stellenbosch).

Out: Matt Coupar (Edinburgh Acads), Steven Lawrie (Edinburgh).

One to watch: Dougie Brown.

Last season: Third

This article was posted on 31-Aug-2007, 11:33 by Hugh Barrow.