Scotland winger Sean Maitland says he hopes to get the chance to play against his cousin, Quade Cooper, after being selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
New Zealand-born Maitland was included in Lions coach Warren Gatland’s squad on Tuesday after winning just five caps for adopted country Scotland during this season’s Six Nations.
The 24-year-old, who qualified for Scotland through his grandparents, did not take long to make his mark on the international stage when he scored a try on his Test debut against England at Twickenham in February.
But his inclusion in New Zealander Gatland’s 37-strong Lions party was by no means assured and certainly came as something of a shock to the Glasgow three-quarter.
“I’m pretty speechless, I am over the moon, words can’t describe what I’m feeling at the moment,” Maitland told Sky Sports.
“The squad went live, I was watching it with the Glasgow boys in the changing room and that’s when I found out.”
Maitland added: “It’s been a rollercoaster for me, coming over here to try and achieve new goals.
“Playing for Scotland was a very proud moment and in a Lions year it has worked out well for me, but the hard work begins now.”
Australia could include a native New Zealander of their own in Reds playmaker Cooper.
“We could talk about a rivalry that started at the age of five when he beat me in a long-distance race,” said Maitland. “He’s had the wood over me in a few recent battles so hopefully we can get one over him.”
Cooper, for all his undoubted talent, found himself sidelined when Australia coach Robbie Deans – like Gatland a native New Zealander – left him out of the Wallabies’ preliminary 30-man Lions training camp earlier this month.
Nick
Guest
Gold
expathack
Guest
Billy Bob There's 100 times as many Scots as there are New Zealanders resident in the UK. There's 4 times as many kiwis living in Oz as there are Northern Territorians. And if all the australian-residing kiwis lived in Perth (rather than, say, Bondi) they'd make up close to half the population there. So no, not really the same kind of weird. Not at all. Going on equivalent proportions (resident new zealanders vs overall population), if the Lions have 3 kiwis in their team then the wallabies should have around 45 of them. I for one would welcome our new kiwi overlords....
matty
Guest
it would be weird watching Maitland in a Lions jersey only after seeing him in the red and black. Oh well . All the best to him and good on him for taking his chances. Looks like its will be a kiwi affair on and off the field with the coaches too. It kinda put into perspective how much influence NZ rugby has on global rugby.
A Different Cat.
Guest
He did wear black Jeramiah. He was a NZ under 19 player.
A Different Cat.
Guest
I think he would have had a very good chance of making the ABs. He was only 23 when he left and had come very close before. Now hes made the Lions squad which is pretty much proving that selection for higher honors was always in his future. Its not that he never would have played for NZ because he already had represented the nation but he had the chance to get more money and a a more likely test cap by going to Europe.
A Different Cat.
Guest
No its not and dont make things up and pretend that its a fact.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
+1
Billy Bob
Guest
Max, There are more NZ born players in the wallabies than there are western Australians and Northern Territorians, which is weird because its the Australian Wallabies.
Crazy Horse
Guest
The Scots are pushing for independence :-)
Amateur Hour
Guest
Was being sincere. Good to see a calculated risk pay off.
maximillian
Guest
maximillian
Guest
There are more NZ Born players in the Lions than there are Scots which is weird considering its the British & Irish Lions.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Spot on AH (except if you say that tongue in cheek!) Great story. Have never been a huge fan of Maitland but am pretty thrilled for him. He had no international future a year ago and in 3 months time he will have played a 6N in some of the best rugby stadiums in the world and a Lions tour. Brilliant.
Amateur Hour
Guest
And hasn't that worked out badly for him....
cantab
Guest
He could not even make the crusaders starting line up, let alone the all blacks. Which was why he left.
Kane
Guest
he couldnt stand out in NZ so he took the easier path to get an international cap.
Jeramiah
Guest
He never wore black cause he overrated same as a few of these welsh boys they picked
Bones506
Roar Guru
Maitland is an exceptional player and was always a huge threat when playing S15 - amazed he never put on a AB jersey.
Patches
Guest
Congratulations to Sean Maitland on his inclusion in the lions team he was always a good player both with the chiefs and the crusaders well done Sean