Reds lock joins Cell C Sharks

The 26-year-old will joins the Sharks for the 2016 Super Rugby season in an effort to provide more depth at lock. The Durban outfit has had bud luck in the engine room, with the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit, Stephan Lewies and JC Astle being plagued with injuries for the past two seasons.

McDuling is somewhat of a low-profile signing and the Brisbane second-rower has had his fair share of injuries as well. Since making his debut for the Reds last year, he has only racked up 12 Super Rugby caps.

Nevertheless, the 115 kg, 6’4 lock has played in the shadow of former Wallaby captain James Horwill at the Reds and will have gleaned a great deal of experience.

According to the Sharks, McDuling performed well in the Australian National Rugby Championship – helping Brisbane City to claim the title while making the most carries and running meters in his position.

The Sharks welcomed the Australian into the fold, with director of rugby Gary Gold touting the lock to add solid depth to their ranks.

“He has huge potential and is an exciting prospect. At the Reds, he played behind the Wallaby captain James Horwill and gained some valuable experience,”  Gold said.

"He will certainly bolster our depth at lock and we look forward to welcoming him to the Sharks family." 

Meanwhile McDuling welcomed the challenge. He is expected to join the Sharks next week for their Currie Cup preseason preparations.

"I'm excited to be joining the Sharks at this stage of my career. After speaking with Gary, I cannot wait to contribute to a successful Sharks team starting with the upcoming Currie Cup. The opportunity to live in a great city such as Durban and play for the Sharks was one I did not hesitate to take." 

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