Published: Thursday, 26th June, 2008 11:45
Rugby ace signs professional deal with Edinburgh
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Fraser McKenzie
Pic by: Dunfermline Press
FORMER Queen Anne High pupil Fraser McKenzie became the latest National Academy rugby graduate to sign a two-year professional deal with Edinburgh.
The 20-year-old joins the capital side fresh from his involvement in the IRB World Under-20 Championship in Wales earlier this month.
Now the Dunfermline youngster is aiming to make an impact at first team level with Edinburgh during his rookie season.
McKenzie said, “I am delighted to have signed a contract with Edinburgh.
“I have trained a lot with Edinburgh over the past year and it was great learning from experienced professionals and top internationals.
“At the Academy, I've worked hard on my fitness and strength and I feel I'm a lot more experienced and better equipped to step up to the professional set-up.
Despite Scotland failing to reach the latter stages, they beat USA and Canada but lost to Ireland, McKenzie enjoyed the experience.
“You are playing against all the best players in the world in your age group, so you can test all the skills that you've learnt back at home,” he said.
“I loved being away at the World Cup and I feel it has been a good experience and now I'm looking forward to being involved with Edinburgh.”
Despite being signed as a back rower, McKenzie spent the majority of the tournament in Wales operating as a lock.
But the forward, drafted this week to Boroughmuir, is happy to play anywhere in the pack as long as he is sampling first team action.
He said, “I played at four for most of the tournament and at six during the Six Nations.
“I want to be playing in a position where Andy (Robinson) needs me and I think he sees me as a flanker first and then as a second row.”
He added, “I'm quite happy to take my chance wherever there is a gap; I'll be looking to force my way in.
“The fact that so many of the Edinburgh team are involved with the national team means that there is a great incentive for me during the autumn internationals and Six Nations.
“But even when they are available I'll be pushing them all the way during training. I'm keen to do well and learn from the players.
“There were 10 Edinburgh players in Scotland's starting 15 against Argentina, so when there is an opportunity to play first team rugby I intend to take my chance.”
McKenzie becomes the 23rd player to progress through the National Academy and sign for a professional team in Scotland since its inception in the 2005/2006 season with the likes of Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay, Nick De Luca and Ben Cairns all following the same path.
Scotland under-20 head coach and National Academy coach Colin Robertson backed McKenzie to adapt to the professional game and highlighted the 6'6" forward's physical presence as a huge asset.
Robertson said, “Fraser has enjoyed a good World Cup and he has done well throughout the programme.
“His tackling and line-out work has been very good.
“Moving into the professional environment will clearly benefit his development and help him to improve his ball-carrying and support play.
“He is an abrasive performer with a huge frame that enables him to impose his physicality on the game.
“He has the raw characteristics and working with Andy Robinson will definitely benefit his game as a back row forward.”
Edinburgh head coach Robinson welcomed the latest addition to his squad and confirmed McKenzie will be used as a blindside flanker.
He said, “We are pleased to have signed Fraser; he is another good young player.
“He will play in the back row and we would like to welcome him back into the Edinburgh fold.”
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