Joe McDonnell (rugby union)

Joe McDonnell
Full name Joseph Michael McDonnell
Date of birth 1 March 1973 (1973-03-01) (age 39)
Place of birth Hastings, New Zealand
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight 18 st 13 lb (120 kg)
School King's High
Occupation(s) Social worker
Rugby union career
Current status
Position(s) Prop
current team CR El Salvador
Playing career
Position Prop
New Zealand No. 1015
Amateur clubs
Years Club / team
Zingarei-Richmond
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1999 -2003
2004 - 2006
Otago
Wellington
Super Rugby
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2000 - 2003
2004 - 2006
Highlanders
Hurricanes
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
2002 New Zealand 8 ( 5 )

Joseph Michael McDonnell born 1 March 1973 in Hastings, New Zealand is a rugby union player who played eight tests for New Zealand. As of 2008 he plays for Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness Premiership and in 2009 he has joined the CR El Salvador.

McDonnell grew up in Te Aroha in the Waikato before moving to Central Otago, where he initially played rugby league. He represented Otago in league before switching to union. He played every game for Otago in the 1999 NPC and was included in the Highlanders squad for 2000. He saw less game time with the Highlanders, since his fellow props were all All Blacks: Carl Hoeft, Kees Meeuws and Carl Hayman. In 2000 he was also selected for the New Zealand Maori team and played in their 18-15 defeat of Scotland at New Plymouth.

McDonnell was something of a surprise selection for the 2002 All Blacks, but scored (his only) test try on debut against Italy. He appeared in eight tests in 2002, starting in the games against Italy, Fiji, England and France and coming on as a substitute in both tests against Ireland and two of New Zealand's tri-nations games against Australia and South Africa.[1]

He took part in the 2003 tour of the United States and Canada by the New Zealand Maori team.[2] and the team which won the Churchill Cup in 2006.[3]

In 2004 he moved to Wellington, playing for the Hurricanes and Wellington Lions. He was in the squad for the 2006 Super 12 final, which the Hurricanes lost.[4]

In his first two seasons at Newcastle he has made 30 appearances and score two tries.[5]

While playing at Newcastle Falcons Joe McDonnell was part of the coaching staff at one of his local clubs BLYTH RUGBY CLUB who he helped get promoted into their current league Durham/Northumberland Division Two.

At the end of the 2008-2009 season he has joined the CR El Salvador,[6] a team based in Valladolid (Spain), of the new iberian franchises' league Superibérica de Rugby, bringing to this new team his experienceand, also, he would like to help with forwards' training. He has been nominated as the Man of the Match in his first appearance: Vacceos Cavaliers vs. La Vila Mariners[7]

References

External links