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Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Stafford McDowall explains Scotland Haka stance ahead of tour opener
Captain expects passionate rendition of pre-match ritual in Whangārei Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Respect will be the watchword for Stafford McDowall when he leads Scotland into battle in their tour opener against the Māori All Blacks in Whangārei in the early hours of Saturday morning, UK time. The Glasgow Warriors centre is looking forward to facing the Haka and is braced for a souped up version against opponents with a fierce sense of identity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The traditional Māori pre-match challenge has been around since 1888 but former England prop Joe Marler reignited an old debate last autumn when he wrote on social media ahead of England's game against New Zealand that it was 'ridiculous' and should be 'binned.' Scotland captain Stafford McDowall at the Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei ahead of Saturday's match against the Māori All Blacks. | SNS/Scottish Rugby England captain Jamie George duly led his team up to the halfway line to face up to the All Blacks in a show of defiance as they faced the Haka. New Zealand had the last laugh, winning 24-22 at Twickenham, and McDowall has no plans to follow suit at Semenoff Stadium. He has taken counsel from Fergus Burke, the New Zealand-born Saracens stand-off who is set to make his first Scotland appearance after being named on the bench. 'I'm really excited for it,' said McDowall, who is captaining Scotland for the second time. 'It's something I've obviously watched a lot with the All Blacks growing up. I used to watch rugby in the living room with my dad. 'The last time I would have faced a Haka would have been in my under-20s days when we played New Zealand in the World Cup. I remember it being an unbelievable experience then. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's got a lot of heart in it and a lot of meaning as well 'I think Fergus Burke's been telling a few of the boys this week that this is going to be a different prospect than the one we're facing on Saturday. It's going to be a proper Haka we're facing that's got a lot of heart in it and a lot of meaning for them as well. I think a lot of the boys are really excited about it.' This may be a non-cap match but McDowall is braced for a searching test of Scotland's credentials and he will not be adding any fuel to the Māori's fire by provoking them pre-match. 'I had a little chat with Fergus and he was like, 'we're just going to respect it and just let it be what it is and really enjoy the moment and let them do the Haka at home'. I know we've not got any plans or anything we're going to do up against it. It might be disappointing for anyone if they're expecting us to march it down but I don't think it's going to happen.' McDowall, 27, skippered Scotland in the home autumn Test against Portugal and the match in Whangārei will be another landmark occasion for the player who has been a model of consistency over the last three seasons with Glasgow and Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stafford McDowall during a training run at Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei. | SNS/Scottish Rugby 'Captaining Scotland at Murrayfield was an unbelievable experience for me,' he said. 'Probably still up there as the best [moment], to captain your country at our home stadium, but this is a very close second, if not just about matching it. 'We all know what rugby means to people in New Zealand. Even just walking about Whangārei this week: i's a small place but everywhere you go people are coming up to you and asking you about rugby and boys in the town are getting asked for photos and stuff like that - which is something that doesn't usually happen in Scotland. 'We all know what rugby means to the people here and to get the chance to lead out a Scotland team that hasn't been here since 2000 is a really special experience and something I'll cherish forever.' Expect physicality, expect passion McDowall, with 13 caps, is one of the more experienced players in a largely experimental Scotland XV which features 10 players with caps in single figures and one uncapped player, the Glasgow tighthead prop Fin Richardson. Gregor Townsend is keeping his big guns in reserve for the Test matches to come against Fiji and Samoa but this could prove an equally difficult challenge against opponents who beat Japan 53-20 in Tokyo last weekend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Asked what he expected from the Māori, McDowall, unsurprisingly, said: 'A lot of physicality and a lot of passion, especially for them playing at home. Obviously they played over in Japan last week, but I think for them to come and play a game at home in a place like Whangārei is going to be a special moment for them as well. 'We've been told the stadium is sold out. They will bring a lot of high tempo, high skill rugby, but then a lot of physicality and a lot of passion as well.' Scotland look particularly callow up front. The front-row of Nathan McBeth, Paddy Harrison and Richardson have five caps between them and Cam Henderson and Marshall Sykes in the second row have three. There are two uncapped players on the bench in Montpellier back-rower Alexander Masibaka and Burke but Scotland can at least call on 45-cap replacement hooker George Turner, who returns to the fray after more than a year of international exile in Japan. Starting halfbacks George Horne and Adam Hastings also bring plenty Test match experience. Adam Hastings practises his kicking at Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei. | SNS/Scottish Rugby Cole Forbes, the former Glasgow Warriors player and one-time Scotland squad member, is part of the Māori squad and McDowall admitted it would feel a little strange to play against his former team-mate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It'll be weird facing up opposite him, obviously I'm good mates with him, so it'll be a really cool experience. Obviously, with the Haka and everything that comes with that as well, getting to be on the other side from Cole will be funny and an unbelievable experience. I'm sure we'll put the friendships aside for 80 minutes and then we'll have a beer together afterwards.' The match kicks off at 4.35am UK time and will be shown live on Sky Sports. Scotland team (v Māori All Blacks, Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, Saturday, 4.35am UK time)
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Stafford McDowall explains Scotland Haka stance ahead of tour opener
Captain expects passionate rendition of pre-match ritual in Whangārei Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Respect will be the watchword for Stafford McDowall when he leads Scotland into battle in their tour opener against the Māori All Blacks in Whangārei in the early hours of Saturday morning, UK time. The Glasgow Warriors centre is looking forward to facing the Haka and is braced for a souped up version against opponents with a fierce sense of identity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The traditional Māori pre-match challenge has been around since 1888 but former England prop Joe Marler reignited an old debate last autumn when he wrote on social media ahead of England's game against New Zealand that it was 'ridiculous' and should be 'binned.' Scotland captain Stafford McDowall at the Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei ahead of Saturday's match against the Māori All Blacks. | SNS/Scottish Rugby England captain Jamie George duly led his team up to the halfway line to face up to the All Blacks in a show of defiance as they faced the Haka. New Zealand had the last laugh, winning 24-22 at Twickenham, and McDowall has no plans to follow suit at Semenoff Stadium. He has taken counsel from Fergus Burke, the New Zealand-born Saracens stand-off who is set to make his first Scotland appearance after being named on the bench. 'I'm really excited for it,' said McDowall, who is captaining Scotland for the second time. 'It's something I've obviously watched a lot with the All Blacks growing up. I used to watch rugby in the living room with my dad. 'The last time I would have faced a Haka would have been in my under-20s days when we played New Zealand in the World Cup. I remember it being an unbelievable experience then. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's got a lot of heart in it and a lot of meaning as well 'I think Fergus Burke's been telling a few of the boys this week that this is going to be a different prospect than the one we're facing on Saturday. It's going to be a proper Haka we're facing that's got a lot of heart in it and a lot of meaning for them as well. I think a lot of the boys are really excited about it.' This may be a non-cap match but McDowall is braced for a searching test of Scotland's credentials and he will not be adding any fuel to the Māori's fire by provoking them pre-match. 'I had a little chat with Fergus and he was like, 'we're just going to respect it and just let it be what it is and really enjoy the moment and let them do the Haka at home'. I know we've not got any plans or anything we're going to do up against it. It might be disappointing for anyone if they're expecting us to march it down but I don't think it's going to happen.' McDowall, 27, skippered Scotland in the home autumn Test against Portugal and the match in Whangārei will be another landmark occasion for the player who has been a model of consistency over the last three seasons with Glasgow and Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stafford McDowall during a training run at Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei. | SNS/Scottish Rugby 'Captaining Scotland at Murrayfield was an unbelievable experience for me,' he said. 'Probably still up there as the best [moment], to captain your country at our home stadium, but this is a very close second, if not just about matching it. 'We all know what rugby means to people in New Zealand. Even just walking about Whangārei this week: i's a small place but everywhere you go people are coming up to you and asking you about rugby and boys in the town are getting asked for photos and stuff like that - which is something that doesn't usually happen in Scotland. 'We all know what rugby means to the people here and to get the chance to lead out a Scotland team that hasn't been here since 2000 is a really special experience and something I'll cherish forever.' Expect physicality, expect passion McDowall, with 13 caps, is one of the more experienced players in a largely experimental Scotland XV which features 10 players with caps in single figures and one uncapped player, the Glasgow tighthead prop Fin Richardson. Gregor Townsend is keeping his big guns in reserve for the Test matches to come against Fiji and Samoa but this could prove an equally difficult challenge against opponents who beat Japan 53-20 in Tokyo last weekend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Asked what he expected from the Māori, McDowall, unsurprisingly, said: 'A lot of physicality and a lot of passion, especially for them playing at home. Obviously they played over in Japan last week, but I think for them to come and play a game at home in a place like Whangārei is going to be a special moment for them as well. 'We've been told the stadium is sold out. They will bring a lot of high tempo, high skill rugby, but then a lot of physicality and a lot of passion as well.' Scotland look particularly callow up front. The front-row of Nathan McBeth, Paddy Harrison and Richardson have five caps between them and Cam Henderson and Marshall Sykes in the second row have three. There are two uncapped players on the bench in Montpellier back-rower Alexander Masibaka and Burke but Scotland can at least call on 45-cap replacement hooker George Turner, who returns to the fray after more than a year of international exile in Japan. Starting halfbacks George Horne and Adam Hastings also bring plenty Test match experience. Adam Hastings practises his kicking at Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei. | SNS/Scottish Rugby Cole Forbes, the former Glasgow Warriors player and one-time Scotland squad member, is part of the Māori squad and McDowall admitted it would feel a little strange to play against his former team-mate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It'll be weird facing up opposite him, obviously I'm good mates with him, so it'll be a really cool experience. Obviously, with the Haka and everything that comes with that as well, getting to be on the other side from Cole will be funny and an unbelievable experience. I'm sure we'll put the friendships aside for 80 minutes and then we'll have a beer together afterwards.' The match kicks off at 4.35am UK time and will be shown live on Sky Sports. Scotland team (v Māori All Blacks, Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, Saturday, 4.35am UK time)
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Scotland skipper Stafford McDowall can't wait to go head to head with the Haka in New Zealand
Stafford McDowall admits it will be a career highlight to captain Scotland in New Zealand - especially when it comes to facing down the Haka. Scotland begin their summer tour in the early hours of Saturday morning when they face the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei. The issue of how opposition teams should face the Haka is always a point of contention, with the Maori All Blacks usually going for a very intense and dramatic version of the war cry. Former England prop Joe Marler claimed last year that the Haka is 'ridiculous' and 'needs binning'. But, although Scotland have no plans to march it done, McDowall insists they will show full respect to the Māoris and their heritage. 'I'm really excited for it,' said Glasgow Warriors star McDowall. 'It's something I've watched a lot with the All Blacks growing up. I used to watch rugby in the living room with my dad. 'The last time I would have faced a Haka would have been in my Under-20s when we played New Zealand in the World Cup. I remember it being an unbelievable experience then. 'Fergus Burke (former Kiwi, now Scotland fly-half) has been telling us this week that this is going to be a different prospect from what we will have seen with the All Blacks. 'It's going to be a proper Haka we're facing that's got a lot of heart in it and a lot of meaning for them as well. I think a lot of the boys are really excited about it. 'We are just going to respect it, let it be, and really enjoy the moment. We've not got any plans in terms of marching it down or anything. 'In terms of a career highlight, this will definitely be up there. I've been lucky enough to captain Scotland at Murrayfield in the past. 'This will be up there as a very close second, if not matching it. Rugby is so special in New Zealand, we've had a taste of it this week, so it's something I will cherish forever. 'We have been told the stadium is sold-out. The Māoris are going to bring a long of tempo and skill, and also a lot of passion and physicality. It's a great match to start the tour.' After taking on the Maori All Blacks, Scotland will then travel to face Fiji in Suva next weekend, before returning to New Zealand to face Samoa in Auckland. With the Māoris putting 50 points on a Japan XV in Tokyo last weekend, this should be a decent test for Gregor Townsend's side. McDowall believes it's a huge chance for some of the fringe members of the squad to stake their claim for a place in Townsend's long-term plans. The Glasgow centre also believes his club-mate Ollie Smith can get back to his very best form after an injury nightmare over the past 18 months. Smith hasn't played for Scotland since the 2023 World Cup and, at that point, has established himself as a genuine rival for Blair Kinghorn's place at full-back. 'It is important we make a good start,' said McDowall. 'We've hopefully had some time to build some good cohesion. 'Like we've talked about, we're the ones who get to open up this tour and have our first crack together as a group and obviously playing against a team with the All Blacks name as well. 'So obviously some younger guys in the group are maybe getting their first chance of wearing a Scotland shirt and I'm really excited to see how they go. 'These are three tough matches we're out here playing against three big physical teams and boys will know if they can lay a marker down here then it'll go a long way with the coaches. 'I am really played to see Ollie back as well. It never really showed how much it affected him because he's such an upbeat person. 'The way he just seamlessly fitted back into Glasgow set up like he hadn't been away and has come to the end of the season playing some of his best rugby. 'I think it was the World Cup the last time he pulled on a Scotland jersey and I know he's massively excited to do it again on Saturday. 'I think we've seen some of his performances for Glasgow at the end of the season that he's getting back towards that level if not beyond it.'
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
McDowall eyeing up 'cool experience' facing former Scotland call-up Forbes
Stafford McDowall says "it'll be weird" facing former Glasgow team-mate Cole Forbes when Scotland take on the Maori All Blacks this spent two-and-a-half years at Warriors and received a call-up for Scotland's summer tour squad in 2021, only for the games to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic."He could easily be on this tour for us," said Scotland head coach Gregor Forbes, who is back playing in New Zealand for the Auckland Blues, will instead line-up on the wing for the Maori All Blacks against the Scots in Whangerei on Saturday."It'll be weird facing up opposite him," said McDowall, who will captain the Scotland side."I'm good mates with him, so it'll be a really cool experience. "The haka and everything that comes with that as well, getting to be on the other side from Cole will be a funny, but an unbelievable experience."I'm sure we'll put the friendships aside for 80 minutes and then we'll hopefully have a beer together afterwards."
Hamilton Spectator
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Stafford McDowall named to captain Scotland against the New Zealand Maori
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Center Stafford McDowall will captain Scotland in Saturday's match against the New Zealand Maori in Whangarei, New Zealand, the first match of Scotland's Pacific tour. McDowall played in all of Scotland's matches in the last Six Nations tournament in place of the injured Sione Tuipulotu . Scrumhalf George Horne and backrower Josh Horne have been named as vice-captains. Horne is the most-capped player in the Scotland lineup with 35 caps. McDowall will combine in midfield with Rory Hutchinson who was named in coach Gregor Townsend's squad in the absence of Matt Curry. Fullback Ollie Smith will play his first match for Scotland since the 2023 World Cup. Backrower Alexander Masibaka and New Zealand-born flyhalf Fergus Burke have been named on the bench to make their first appearances for Scotland. The match is not an official test. Maori coach Ross Filipo has made a handful of changes to the side which beat a Japan XV 50-23 in Tokyo last weekend. Crusaders lock Antonio Shalfoon will make his Maoris debut at lock while Chiefs center Daniel Rona joins the starting lineup at center. Blues back Corey Evans has been named on the bench. Scotland will play Fiji in Suva on July 12. ___ AP rugby:
