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Glasgow sign Argentine rugby star Piossek



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Published Date: 30 September 2008
Glasgow today confirmed the signing of Argentina's record try-scorer Jose Maria Nunez Piossek subject to a visa and a medical.

The 31-year-old, who can play on the wing or at full-back and once touched down nine times in a Test match against Paraguay, will join close friend and Pumas team-mate Bernardo Stortoni at Firhill.

Head coach Sean Lineen hailed the impending arrival of the new man, saying: "I'm delighted to have Jose on board. He's an experienced international and definitely knows where the tryline is.

"He is a pretty important signing in terms of the experience he'll bring to the squad. He's also very good value for money.

"He's a tough player looking for rugby and will bring a bit of balance to the squad because we need to manage the game time of our Scotland internationals.

"I'm also looking for Jose to be a big influence on our young Scottish players such as Chris Kinloch, Ruaridh Jackson and Peter Horne who is aligned to Glasgow from the National Academy."

In a seven-year Test career, Nunez Piossek earned his most recent Argentina caps appearances in the victory over Scotland in the first summer Test in Rosario and the defeat to South Africa in Cape Town.

He said: "I am going to Glasgow for a season with the option of staying a further year.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to play in the Magners League. It is very professional and the level of rugby is good."

Nunez Piossek, who has also played for Bristol, has scored 30 tries in as many Tests.

He played in the 2003 World Cup but missed last year's showpiece through injury.

He had spells in France with Clermont Auvergne, Castres and Bayonne before returning to Argentina to play for Huirapuca.

The full article contains 308 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 30 September 2008 3:17 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

MT,

30/09/2008 16:38:20
Thats really intelligent guys, yet another place taken away from a Scottish qualified player taken away. How are we going to develop our own players when the few spots in the team we have available are being taken up by non qualified players? I can only hope he is being used as a back up player and not actually going to be put into the matchday 22. absolutely shocking decision.
2

T Butcher,

30/09/2008 20:27:03
Completley disagree. He's a proven international and a consistent try scorer. This isn't a 1 cap all black... although, the question must be asked- if he's such a quality player, why's he been playing club rugby in argentina and not been picked up by a premiership or french team? Why does he represents "good value for money"?
3

B.McGeek,

30/09/2008 21:58:24
You are both correct, Edinburgh have 41 pro players on their books that is 2 teams plus reserves, Glasgow have compariable, both teams have access to the acedemy. Is there not enough experience! but will the Scottish guys get any! if this guys is any good why has he not been snapped up by the wealther English/French teams - at 31 is he too old? No wonder and correctly so do the better Scottish players go further afield to get the experience & game time in the other leagues. I do not believe that many of the pro players on the sru books are good enough to maintain the play at the highest level, but Haddon & co seem to know best. How much is this guy getting, would the money not be better used at the grass roots level fostering junior talent/potential.
4

MT,

30/09/2008 22:08:20
The bottom line is: How is he going to help Scottish rugby? that means ultimately the national team? He is not, full stop. He is blocking the way for a aspiring Scottish player from coming through and having a crack at making the national side. There must be be countless players in first division who have put up their hand to at least deserve the chance to try their hand at pro level. Please lets not go the way of the Irish and Welsh teams, that is filling our top teams with unqualified players.
5

lostwanderer,

30/09/2008 22:43:30
I dont believe that the Argentine top try scorer can be classed as "unqualified". As has been said he is a proven international who can score tries.I doubt he is costing the earth , considering the size of the pro team budgets and he could prove to be a decent capture. The point about him being unable to play for Scotland meaning he cant help Scottish rugby is nonsense. if he makes a marked improvement to Glasgow and helps them improve, doesnt that help Scottish rugby? How many Scotland caps has Tom Blackadder have? none. But by helping the likes of Taylor and Hogg and others with the benefit of his experience and abilities, didnt he hepl Scottish rugby.
6

lostwanderer,

30/09/2008 22:44:44
okay yes i meant Todd Blackadder.
7

Bomber,

Edinburgh 30/09/2008 23:25:49
I suspect he will be a valuable addition either side of the AIs and 6Ns when Scottish players will be withdrawn by Hadden from Glasgow to ensure he can have his two-week preparation period.

It depends whether you wsh Glasgow/Edinburgh to be merely development feeder clubs or to actually be focused on competing/winning?
8

Warrior15,

Glasgow 01/10/2008 09:53:49
This is an interesting signing which raises good debate. I think we would all prefer Scottish players to be first choice in the Edinburgh and Glasgow teams. As supporters, we would even argue for the re-instatement of a 3rd professional side.
Glasgow have a lot of young players and they are especially lacking experience at centre. Morrison and Max Evans seem to be first choice in the side. Henderson, sadly, may be on the wane. I do not believe that there is an experienced Scottish player who is being denied an opportunity by this signing.
I think it would be naive to say that an inexperienced Scottish player is always preferable to a foreign player. It is absolutely essential that the Scottish teams are competitive. Developing talent would be crushed into oblivion if they suffered endless defeats in the Magners and Heineken competitions. Scotland will reap the benefits of the performances of Edinburgh and Glasgow last year, and hopefully again this year.
If the arrival of Piossek helps to keep Glasgow competitive, then it will be a good signing. This is a sport where the squad is all important. We cannot rely on 15 players week in week out. It is Lineen's job to create a successful team. His record has been good and I think he deserves support in this latest signing.

 

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