Alan Solomons

Langilangi Haupeakui

There were some big news announcements yesterday from both of Scotland’s professional clubs. The one from Edinburgh Rugby was about a departure while the one from Glasgow Warriors was about an arrival. Sticking one’s neck out it would seem that both announcements were seen as positive news by the clubs’ fans.

Edinburgh Rugby announced that Head Coach Alan Solomons was leaving and would be replaced in the interim by Duncan Hodge while Glasgow Warriors announced the acquisition of powerhouse player Langilangi Haupeakui from US PRO Rugby outfit Sacramento Express.

Alan Solomons vacates his post before completing his contract which would have taken him to the end of the current season. His previous contract expired at the end of last season and he had signed to stay on for one more year in Edinburgh.

There has always seemed to a bit of mixed feelings between the Edinburgh fans with some rather more supportive of Solomons than others. He took over at a time were really struggling and for some he has brought stability to the club and a measure of success, taking Edinburgh to a European Cup final, albeit in the second tier of Europe, and claiming back the 1872 Cup from bitter rivals Glasgow Warriors.

His critics feel that he has not done anymore with Edinburgh than a local coach could given the same level of investment and felt that his game plan was far too prescriptive and conservative and stifled his team, now where have we heard that before? It would seem that he didn’t have the copyright on this as far as many South African coaches go in the eyes of the various sets of fans.

One area in which there seems to be more agreement is that regardless on whether it was thought he had been good or bad for the club is that the time for him to go was probably earlier this year when his previous contract expired. Most feel that he had taken the Club as far as he could and that the extension on his contract was perhaps a year too much.

It is not clear, or public knowledge, as far as we are aware what Alan Solomons next move will be but one would like to wish him all the best for his future. Hopefully the likes of Anton Bresler, Cornell du Preez and Allan Dell will not in time follow their countryman out the door as the former two have delivered so much for Edinburgh and given sufficient game time Dell could do as well. All three could also contribute to Scottish Rugby on the International stage if they are afforded the opportunity.

Glasgow Warriors announced the move, subject to medical clearance and obtaining visas, from PRO Rugby to Pro12 Rugby of Langilangi Haupeakui. This acquisition was already reported in some media about a week before the official announcement by the Club. He looks to be an impressive player who could develop into a top one under good coaching and by applying himself. At 1.85m tall and weighing 118kg the player who is listed as an eighthman is certainly a man who could have the opposition very worried. From very limited footage seen so far of the player he seems to be a wrecking ball both on attack and defence, showing quite a lot of pace for such a big man and also tackling with much force.

The footage of his defence does bring concern and this is an area that he will have to work on or else he may spend a lot of time ‘resting’ during games. Having been rather critical of the dangerous way one perceived Sam Burgess attempts at tackling we have to be consistent and express the same reservations about Langilangi. Our game is dangerous enough as it without players putting in these huge thumping high and in many cases no arms tackles. Hopefully Langilangi will put in many big but legitimate hits for the Warriors and score lots of tries as well.

Langilangi Haupeakui Highlights:

Here are the official announcements:

Alan Solomons leaves Edinburgh Rugby:

Scottish Rugby can confirm Alan Solomons has decided to step down as Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach.

Duncan Hodge has been appointed to take on the role of Acting Head Coach with Stevie Scott and Peter Wilkins remaining in their current roles.

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, said: “Alan came in as Head Coach at a difficult time in Edinburgh Rugby’s history and helped to stabilise and strengthen the club. He achieved some notable successes including leading the first Scottish team to a European Final of the Challenge Cup in 2015 and back to back 1872 Scottish Cup victories over Glasgow Warriors.”

“Duncan brings his recent coaching experience from the Scotland national team as well as his long playing career with Edinburgh into the role and he will receive our full support to keep moving the club forward.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alan for his significant contribution to the Edinburgh club and I wish him well for the future.”

Alan Solomons said: “I have decided to step down. I understand Scottish Rugby have appointed Duncan Hodge as the new Acting Head Coach and I wish him well. I have greatly enjoyed working with the players and coaches and feel I have helped to put the club on a much stronger footing over the past three years and am leaving it in a better place than when I arrived.”

Duncan Hodge returned to Edinburgh Rugby as an Assistant Coach in November 2015 after working with Scotland national team coaching group full time since 2012, culminating with the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He played 150 times for Edinburgh over 11 seasons.

The promotion to Acting Head Coach now provides an opportunity to stake his claim for the role on a permanent basis in the Guinness PRO12 and European Challenge Cup.

Langilangi Haupeakui to join Glasgow Warriors:

Glasgow Warriors are delighted to announce the signing of 27-year-old USA international Langilangi Haupeakui, subject to visa and medical.

The 6ft 1’ backrower has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal at Scotstoun, joining from PRO Rugby side Sacramento Express.

He is expected to arrive in Glasgow within the next few days.

Starting his sporting career playing college football in San Mateo, California, Langilangi first took up rugby for the East Palo Alto Razorbacks where he was a teammate of former Warrior Folau Niua.

Impressive performances earned him a PRO Rugby contract and his first cap for the USA Eagles against Russia in June.

Speaking exclusively to glasgowwarriors, Langilangi spoke of his excitement at joining Glasgow.

He said: “There was interest from other clubs, but joining Glasgow Warriors was an easy decision.

“I’ve heard a lot of positive things about the club and the city from Greg Peterson and I’m looking forward to getting over to Scotland to start training with the squad.

“I’ve watched a few GUINNESS PRO12 matches and I’m excited about the physicality and speed of the game.

“There are some great players who play in the backrow at Glasgow, so I’m going to have to work very hard to earn my place, but it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.”

Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend added: “We’ve been working on getting Langilangi here for some time and we were aware that there was a lot of interest in him from other clubs. So we’re delighted that he’s joined us and we’re looking forward to integrating him into our squad as soon as possible.

“He is a strong ball carrier and hits very hard in the tackle. There will be a lot for him to work on and learn about how we play, but he will bring a high level of physicality to our forward pack, as well as increasing our strength in depth in the backrow.”