McLean to rescue
Knights bank on seasoned prop shoring up crucial scrum
GRIFFITH University Colleges have locked in what they hope to be the final piece in the puzzle to progress from bridesmaids to Gold Coast District Rugby Union champions.
The Knights have been runners-up to Surfers Paradise for the past two seasons, with the difference in the two sides’ scrums known to have been a key factor. Colleges have set about rectifying that deficit, signing Tereina McLean in a huge boost to their prop stocks.
“It has been the achilles heel of Colleges for a number of years,” Knights coach Graham Herlihy said of the scrum.
“It’s a strong, tough competition on the Gold Coast and if you want to survive as a club you need to have a strong front-row.
“Tereina McLean, he’s our big signing. He has got loads of experience, he has a wonderful attitude and work ethic and he is just going to be so good for our club.”
McLean has a rugby background that has brought him success in southeast Queensland as well as taking him to England.
The 29-year-old is a former GCDRU premiership winner at the Gold Coast Eagles before spending time at Queensland Premier Rugby club Sunnybank. Along the way he picked up an opportunity to play for the Queensland Barbarians side.
He was lured to Colleges by a former Eagles teammate.
“I used to play with my mate Jody Danagher, who is now part of the coaching staff. He just gave me a call and asked if I was interested to play at Colleges,” McLean explained.
McLean is taking it upon himself to be the man to lift the Knights’ set piece.
“I pride myself on my scrummaging,” he said.
Having had a first-up bye, Colleges and McLean will take on Coolangatta Tweed this afternoon at home.
In other games, Bond Pirates and Helensvale will head to Pizzey Park each looking for their first win of the season, while the Eagles will host fellow Round 1 winners Surfers.