New Falcons deal for McDonnell
PA Sport
June 20, 2007

Newcastle's former New Zealand prop Joe McDonnell has signed a new contract extension which ties him to Kingston Park for the next two seasons.

The Falcons were quick to act after McDonnell, who joined the Falcons on a two-year deal last autumn, expressed a desire to extend his stay.

Newcastle have current New Zealand tight-head Carl Hayman joining after the World Cup and director of rugby John Fletcher is excited by their front-row options.

``Joe has been a sensational signing for us since arriving last season, and wedidn't have to think about it for too long when he expressed a desire to stay with us beyond the end of next season,'' he said.

``Despite turning 34 in the last couple of months Joe got in to professional sport fairly late in his life, so there is still plenty of rugby left in him.

``The fact that he is so willing to share his experience with our English props like David Wilson, Micky Ward, Jon Golding and Johnny Williams is almost as important as his on-field contribution.

``And when you factor Carl Hayman in to that equation it is not hard to see why we are so excited about our front row prospects for next season.''

McDonnell, who eight caps for New Zealand and five for the NZ Maori, added: ``There is such a huge amount of talent within this group right now, I don't think people on the outside quite realise, so to be here in a great city like Newcastle for the next two years with this group of people is something I'm looking forward to big time.''

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