Brendan Laney
Encyclopedia
Brendan James Laney, is a former professional rugby union
player who represented Scotland
. Nicknamed "Chainsaw" for the way he cut through defences, he was also a good goal kicker. From Southland in New Zealand
, he began his professional rugby career at full back for the Highlanders in the Super 12. He played for Yamaha Jubilo
in Japan at the end of his career.
by the then national coach, Ian McGeechan
just two days after he arrived from New Zealand. This annoyed many ex-Scottish internationals, particularly Gavin Hastings
who voiced his feelings publicly, and this was hard for Laney who had hero-worshipped Hastings as a child.
After the initial controversy died down, however, he became a popular figure with team-mates and fans, through his personality and leadership. He also made his mark with Scotland, setting a new record of 24 points in a Six Nations
game, and went on to equal Gavin Hastings’ record of scoring 100 points in just nine Test matches. Perhaps most significantly, he contributed 11 points in the 21-6 defeat of the Springboks at Murrayfield
in 2002, Scotland’s first win over one of the tri-nations teams in 20 years. His Scotland career was not without disappointment. After heavy criticism, Laney was left out of the Six Nations
fixture against Ireland due to the "psychological effect of an injury" and was not to be seen in a Scotland jersey again.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who represented Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
. Nicknamed "Chainsaw" for the way he cut through defences, he was also a good goal kicker. From Southland in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, he began his professional rugby career at full back for the Highlanders in the Super 12. He played for Yamaha Jubilo
Yamaha Jubilo
Yamaha Jubilo is a rugby union team based in Iwata, Shizuoka. The team came second behind Toshiba Brave Lupus in the second season of Japanese rugby's Top League...
in Japan at the end of his career.
Scotland
He was controversially rushed straight into the Scottish national teamScotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
by the then national coach, Ian McGeechan
Ian McGeechan
Sir Ian Robert McGeechan OBE is a Scottish former rugby union player and coach. His nickname is "Geech".-Playing career:...
just two days after he arrived from New Zealand. This annoyed many ex-Scottish internationals, particularly Gavin Hastings
Gavin Hastings
Andrew Gavin Hastings, OBE is a former Scotland rugby union player. He is frequently considered one of the best, if not the best, rugby player to come out of Scotland. His nickname is "Big Gav".Hastings was born in Edinburgh...
who voiced his feelings publicly, and this was hard for Laney who had hero-worshipped Hastings as a child.
After the initial controversy died down, however, he became a popular figure with team-mates and fans, through his personality and leadership. He also made his mark with Scotland, setting a new record of 24 points in a Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
game, and went on to equal Gavin Hastings’ record of scoring 100 points in just nine Test matches. Perhaps most significantly, he contributed 11 points in the 21-6 defeat of the Springboks at Murrayfield
Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
in 2002, Scotland’s first win over one of the tri-nations teams in 20 years. His Scotland career was not without disappointment. After heavy criticism, Laney was left out of the Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
fixture against Ireland due to the "psychological effect of an injury" and was not to be seen in a Scotland jersey again.
Edinburgh Rugby
Laney played at flyhalf, centre and fullback for Edinburgh from 2001 to 2005. He played 76 times and scored 409 points from 15 tries, 69 penalties, 53 conversions and seven drop-goals.External links
- Brendan Laney on Edinburgh Rugby website
- Brendan Laney interviewed in 1999
- Brendan Laney joins Yamaha
- Inspired Laney turns on the style - The Scotsman, March 21, 2005