The All Black front rower joined the Falcons in the autumn of 2006, having been named the best loose head prop in the Air New Zealand Cup with Wellington.
Capped eight times by the All Blacks and five by New Zealand Maori, with whom he won the 2006 Churchill Cup, McDonnell skippered the Falcons on a number of occasions during his maiden season.
An experienced Super 12 and Super 14 campaigner with the Highlanders and, more recently, the Hurricanes, he brings vast scrummaging experience and ball carrying ability to the squad.
His Guinness Premiership debut came in November 2006, when he was part of the side which beat champions Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park.
Away from Kingston Park, Joe is a coach with local club side, Blyth RFC.
School/university: King’s High, Dunedin NZ
Previous clubs: Wellington, Otago
Nicknames: Pudding, Jojo
Favourite TV show: CSI
Favourite film: Scar Face
Favourite music: RnB
Favourite book: One with pictures
Favourite food: Italian
Most like to meet: Supporters
Least like to meet: Whale hunters
Best moment in rugby: When Newcastle wins the Premiership
Best moment outside of rugby: My son
Favourite place to visit: Anywhere sunny
Team-mate least like to share a room with and why: Andy Perry, because he gets me to rub his fake tan on him!
I love: My dog
I hate: Spelling tests
