Lemi to Warriors

Article follows courtesy of GlasgowWarriors.org:

Glasgow Warriors have added further international class to their back division with the signing of Samoa Rugby World Cup winger David Lemi.

The former London Wasps and Bristol wideman’s arrival comes weeks after he impressed for his country at the global gathering in New Zealand. He today put pen to paper on a contract that will see him tied to the Warriors until at least the end of the current season.

This further infusion of quality in the Warriors back three comes in the wake of the news that fans’ favourite DTH van der Merwe is likely to miss a significant portion of the season with a shoulder injury.

Lemi, 29, is due to land in Glasgow on Tuesday. Having lived in Britain since 2005, he is classed as a UK resident and will not be considered a “non-European” player for RaboDirect PRO12 games. Under tournament rules, a maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a team’s match-day squad.

The 30-cap flyer today told www.glasgowwarriors.org he’s “massively looking forward to the opportunity” afforded him by the only major professional sports club that represents the whole of Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

Lemi said: “I’m delighted to have signed for Glasgow Warriors and to have the chance to help the team enjoy a successful season.

“One look at the squad list tells you that this is a club with a lot of talented players, and I’m confident that I can bring the benefit of my own experience to bear and play a part in the side continuing to win.

“Having spoken to Sean Lineen, I’ve already got a got insight into the passion and commitment that I’ll find at the club. They’ve been doing well of late, and I can’t wait to do my bit to make sure that run continues.”

Already an established figure on the IRB 7s circuit, Lemi first captured the wider imagination in the 15-a-side game by finishing runner up in the English Premiership try scoring charts in his debut season with Bristol.

He went one better the following campaign, before moving to Wasps in 2009. He was again the league’s joint top marksman that year, and has won a fistful of accolades for spectacular individual scores.

He has twice played for Samoa against Scotland, in Wellington in June 2004 and at Pittodrie in November 2010.

Lineen is “very excited” to have secured his services, telling www.glasgowwarriors.org: “David is a gifted performer who ticks all the boxes in terms of what we’re looking for in a player.

“He’s hungry, he handles pressure well and he’s a proven try scorer. It looks like we’re going to be without one of our main try-providers, DTH, for a significant amount of time, and so it’s fantastic to have brought on board someone like David who we know will provide the same sort of threat.”

Another Warriors winger, Dave McCall, has gone on a month’s loan to RFU Championship side Rotherham Titans.

In a further piece of squad news, back-row forward Rory Pitman, who joined in May 2011 on a six-month loan from Ospreys, has returned to the Swansea club.

Lineen commented: “David’s had a tough time so far this year with injury, and this is a great chance for him to get some games under his belt and take it from there.

“I’d also like to thank Rory for the hard work he put in during his time here. He started in our win over Leinster in the RDS and pushed our other back-rowers hard.”

A very good signing, imo, not exactly like for like with DTHvdM, but a very useful finisher, just what Glasgow needs - now all they need to do is persuade Morrison to pass the ball to Dewey and Dewey to pass it to Lemi!

Good luck to Rory Pitman and Dave McCall too

Good move to bring someone in to help out in the back three as without DTH we really lack a cutting edge. Hopefully if he works out we can keep him on and move DTH to IC next season.

Mckie will be spewing at this move, more cash spent! Actually Canada are picking up DTHs wages (or their insurance is). But previously that cash would have been saved or spent upgrading the carpets at HQ.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Good move to bring someone in to help out in the back three as without DTH we really lack a cutting edge. Hopefully if he works out we can keep him on and move DTH to IC next season.

Mckie will be spewing at this move, more cash spent! Actually Canada are picking up DTHs wages (or their insurance is). But previously that cash would have been saved or spent upgrading the carpets at HQ.

Aye, but its a very nice carpet, Dot - shag pile, I believe?

Good acquisition, he is an elusive runner and will offer a real threat from deep. Suprised there was not a French club sniffing round.

Great signing, proven try scorer. Exactly what Glasgow need.

Agree with Dot, hopefully he can be pursuaded to stay at the end of the season so DTH can be shifted to the centres.

Whats this bit all about????

" Having lived in Britain since 2005, he is classed as a UK resident and will not be considered a “non-European” player for RaboDirect PRO12 games. Under tournament rules, a maximum of two non-European players are permitted in a team’s match-day squad."

Pro12 rules must allow more than 2 non euro players, think of the NIQ in Ireland and NWQ in Wales, easyly have more than 2 in match-day squads.

So maybe it's a SRU rule but why would they be intrested in
non-European players, surly its just NSQ players that count, and this guy is very clearly NSQ.

Can anyone explain?

It is a league rule not an SRU rule. You are allowed 2 non EU players in your matchday squads. I am sure South Africans, Kiwis and Australians don't count as non eu players as both countries have trade agreements with the eu so as such they gain certain work rights.

Also it depends what passport you have, DTH does not count for example as he has a South African passport.

These are the only rules that can be implemented around overseas players as EU players can play anywhere in the EU and any rules to limit them, would be seen as a restriction of trade.

Dot - as an aside, Lineen has hinted that he may strengthen his squad still further (presumably with the Richie Fund) - do you have any idea in what positions Sean is shopping?

From what has been said it will depend on who goes out, who they bring in. I think the front row is an area we could do with an upgrade and I think we will see at least one back rower come in.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:Good move to bring someone in to help out in the back three as without DTH we really lack a cutting edge. Hopefully if he works out we can keep him on and move DTH to IC next season.

Mckie will be spewing at this move, more cash spent! Actually Canada are picking up DTHs wages (or their insurance is). But previously that cash would have been saved or spent upgrading the carpets at HQ.

Aye, but its a very nice carpet, Dot - shag pile, I believe?

You'll get to see it if you come through for the 1872. Pres Suite now back in bounds.

Dorothy_Mantooth wrote:From what has been said it will depend on who goes out, who they bring in. I think the front row is an area we could do with an upgrade and I think we will see at least one back rower come in.

I was really impressed with Cusack and Ryan today, and MacArthur, despite looking lightweight, put in an really influential shift. Kalman is a zero impact option though, and my views on Dougie Hall are well known - waste of space. But if you think that Low, Thompson and Welsh are to return, the Glasgow front row options are not as bleak as I thought.

Agreed on the back row though. Beattie will surely now leave, and potentially Barclay as well. A wise old head should be recruited to assist Harley (who must have made a zillion tackles today) and Wilson (who looks to have slightly clumsy hands on todays evidence but otherwise has potential).

Wilson's hands seemed to veer between the sublime and the less good today, but he's a talented 8 - Wilson, Denton and MacInally all coming along nicely

Indeed, and conversely I thought Simon Taylor struggled today to influence the match. His carries looked less vigorous than they used to.

Looking forward to catching the Edinburgh highlights this evening. By all accounts McInally has a stormer.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Indeed, and conversely I thought Simon Taylor struggled today to influence the match. His carries looked less vigorous than they used to.

Looking forward to catching the Edinburgh highlights this evening. By all accounts McInally has a stormer.

True, fES, he just looked disinterested, will be surprised if he keep the shirt - Bath could go Louw-Mercer-Fearns and have a stronger backrow

Wasn't hugely impressed with Louw either to be honest. Wouldn't trade him for Harley, who was outstanding. If Harley can add a little more muscle to his frame, he'll be a very special player. Cracking engine.

Fears should be in the Bath 1st XV without delay. McGeechan hasn't improved Bath in my view.