'A lot of notes to go over': AJ MacGinty's first Bristol interview
New Bristol signing AJ MacGinty has given his first interview as a Bears player, explaining why he joined the Gallagher Premiership club after six successful seasons at Sale. The 32-year-old Dubliner began pre-season training last week following a summer of Test rugby that ended for him with the USA losing their two-legged World Cup qualifier to Chile in Colorado.
Having since been on holiday, MacGinty has now gone to work at his new club and is finishing his second week of pre-season on the training ground in Bristol after Pat Lam left him out of the 36-strong Bears squad that has gone to France to play Brive in a Friday night friendly.
A decade ago, MacGinty spent his summer working in a New York bar with the dream of making it in professional rugby something that wasn’t on his radar at the time. He eventually broke through when helping Connacht to win the 2015/16 PRO12 title under Lam and is now enjoying the bedding-in process so far at Bristol.
In his first interview as a Bears player, he explained to the club’s website why he was tempted into signing for Lam last November at a time when there was still an opportunity to sign an extension at Sale. “Having played against Bristol over the years, the atmosphere in the stadium, looking around the place here, the facilities are incredible and there was a lot that drew me down. I’m just really happy to be here and get going,” he said.
“Pat gave me my first opportunity in professional rugby and that was going down to Connacht and then after that, I went and played in Sale. My first year of professional rugby was under him [Lam] and I learned a lot through him, John Muldoon, who was the captain of Connacht then, and Conor McPhillips, was also working on the staff then too.
“It helps to know them coming into the environment, knowing what they are about and how they see the game. But obviously, over the last seven years, rugby has evolved and changed and I’m excited to see how they have adapted or how they have changed their approach and how there is more that I can learn and appreciate about the game.
“As I learned last week about the detail and staying on top of things, I have got a lot of notes to go over. For me coming in there is stuff that I have to learn to get on the same page as the rest of the group and there are also other new signings that are here and bedding themselves in. Excited to get on the journey and get going.
“It has been good. I am getting to know a lot of the new faces and information rugby-wise. Really excited to be here. It’s challenging, there have been some tough sessions and the body was a bit sore last weekend, but overall I have enjoyed it.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sounds like quite a bit of development has occurred regarding Mo’unga’s situation. Either NZR has stepped up their offer (big time) or RMo has had a reality check on what it will be like to be outside of the high performance environment of AB rugby. Maybe both. It reads like there are only a few remaining details to be sorted out before it is a done deal.
1 Go to commentsCurrently, a prop that has been substituted can go back on field if his original replacement gets injured. Can a red carded prop go back if his replacement gets injured, or will it be uncontested scrums?
11 Go to commentsWhat about a free kick from a scrum? Can you call another scrum? Or are they just giving straight penalties now?
28 Go to commentsLoved that comment by Andrew that the ‘water boys’ rule was changed in 2020 just to stymie the Boks!
28 Go to commentsOne of the best the Boks have ever produced. PSDT has an engine that goes non-stop for the full 80 min.
5 Go to commentsThe real deal.
5 Go to commentsIt’s been said that Nienaber will head back to SA too before next World Cup , hoarding all the amazing IP gained in Irish system … get a grip … Irish system needs to Milk the likes of Barrett . First time a leading all Black in his prime has gone to Ireland for any period of time . Enjoy it .
20 Go to comments20 min RC is the only good solution of a bunch of bad solutions. Ridiculous that it has taken this long and caused so many uneven contests. In general these are all very good changes - one is surprised that NH brokers were able to see sense at long last.
11 Go to comments“While a red card will mean a temporary team disadvantage, the replacement system will focus punishment on the offending player instead of disrupting the game itself.” This might work for amateur rugby, where players just want to be on the pitch for as long as possible, but hopefully we’ve got to a point where top level professionals care about the success of their team much more than about whether they personally are on the pitch or not.
11 Go to commentsa lot of focus on the targeting of south africa, but aspects of this are positive. The croc roll; the offside law; and time limits on set pieces are all good. calling for a mark off kick offs is baffling, but I guess we’ll see how it plays out in practice
28 Go to commentsSpeeding the game up is great, but I think we will find that the increase in viewership this year mostly comes down to the competition being more competitive…the fall of the Crusaders has been a boon for viewership. This should be at the heart of super rugby changes - how to make the comp more even
23 Go to commentsThe fact that the press were largely to blame for his taking a break is nothing short of disgusting. He’s made a few mistakes but difficult to name a player of any substance who gives it a full go hasn’t also made mistakes? On behalf of a large number of Bokke fans, bring back Farrell !!!!!
1 Go to commentsPSTD is a fantastic flanker. He could benefit from a bit of self-promotion / flair and he is not quite the danger man that Ardie is. That said, he is my 1st pick to build a backrow around. His speed and hustle made up for Duane who got quite a bit slower at the 8.
5 Go to commentssurprised, disco lights haven't been banned by world rugby board
28 Go to commentsToo many changes. Too often. I’m tired of this WR administration. How do we vote these fockers out? Bill needs to go.
28 Go to commentsDu Toit, 2 time W.Cup winner yet rarely mentioned a “Great “…if one looks back on his stellar carrier perhaps someone will one day elevate him to “Richie” status…a quiet, polite yet devastating loose forward that knew action speaks louder than words..
5 Go to commentsI like the offside rule, but this won't affect my team because all their kicks gets chased and that putts everyone on side. Lekker manne!
28 Go to comments20 minute Red Card is untenable. If you don’t punish the whole team, coaches won’t be sufficently incentivised to pick players with, or coach better tackle technique.
11 Go to commentsI can only think of One time ever a team has opted for a scrum from a free kick… Why the law change I wonder
28 Go to commentsYeah, its not going to work. But we see you World Rugby.
28 Go to comments