Brian leaves door open for Scotland switch
BR I A N Alainu’uese is already a fan favourite at Glasgow Warriors – and yesterday revealed he might also try to become a star in the eyes of the Scotland support as well.
Born in New Zealand, the giant lock forward is also eligible to play for Samoa because of a parent.
He has already turned out for the Samoan Under-20 team, but under current laws he could declare for Scotland once he has been here for three years.
That would take him beyond the limit of the new two-year contract he signed with the Warriors last week, but he admitted he was aware of the possibility.
“It has crossed my mind,” the 23-year-old said. “You never know., I might.
“I played for Samoa Under20s – I played against Jonny [Gray] and some of the other boys here. It was at the World Cup in France, but that doesn’t commit me to playing for Samoa.”
Given the i mpact Alainu’uese has made in his first season at Scotstoun, he could well play himself into the mix for a Scotland place over the next couple of years.
The fact Warriors coach Gregor Townsend is moving to take charge of Scotland should be in the big man’s favour, and so should the arrival of Dave Rennie, who will succeed Townsend at Scotstoun this summer and was in charge of Alainu’uese at the Chiefs in New Zealand.
Whatever the future holds for him, Alainu’uese believes Rennie will introduce a different style to the Warriors’ play when he takes over as this summer. “He’s a good coach. He’s won two Super Rugby titles, so that’s good.
“And more importantly, he’s a good man as well. He’ll bring his own kind of style into the team and I think you’ll see it out on the pitch.”
When Alainu’uese first arrived here last autumn, the weather took a bit of getting used to after the sunshine of Auckland.
But he said the people he met both on and off the pitch helped him settle in quickly.
“It’s a nice city. There’s a lot of people in the city. Like they say, ‘People make Glasgow’, and they definitely do. I enjoy the city. It’s nice.
“I come from sunny places, big family, and it was a big move. I came over and I was all alone. The boys made me feel very welcome.”