Moving on: Sean Maitland
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Glasgow Warriors and Scottish Rugby have announced that Crusaders full-back or winger Sean Maitland will be joining the RaboDirect PRO12 outfit.
The 24-year-old is one of the most highly-rated outside backs in Super Rugby, and qualifies to play for Scotland courtesy of both his paternal Grandparents who were born in Glasgow.
Subject to medical and visa, he will join up with the Warriors squad in the coming weeks, having put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at Scotstoun Stadium until at least the May 31, 2015.
Since making his Super Rugby debut in 2008, Maitland has scored some 24 tries, equaling the record for the most individual touchdowns in a single tournament game when he crossed the try-line four times against the Brumbies in 2011.
He was a part of the New Zealand U19 team that won the World Cup in 2007, and the U20 side that scooped the 2008 Junior World Championship. Maitland scored against Argentina, Ireland and Wales in that latter tournament.
In 2010, he represented the New Zealand Maori team, and commended himself to the British audience with two tries for the Crusaders at Twickenham in their showcase Super Rugby game against the Sharks in March 2011.
"We're delighted to be welcoming a player of Sean Maitland's calibre to Glasgow Warriors," head coach Gregor Townsend told glasgowwarriors.org.
"The back three is an area of the team where we already have a number of excellent options, and Sean will provide a further layer of quality as we enter another busy phase of the season.
"His try-scoring record in Super Rugby speaks for itself, and he's also a player who has a big appetite for self-improvement. He will be a fantastic addition to our squad and will, I'm sure, be very popular with our supporters.
"It's another indication of our increasing profile of Glasgow Warriors that a player of Sean's ability and ambition sees us as a club where he can continue to progress."
Comments
Melkiwi says...
Willy those are players who were born overseas not players who were playing overseas before getting a contract to play nz. Only two players come to mind Steven Devine and Greg rowlinson both moved over after learning their trade in their respect countries but both weren't offered contracts to play rugby in nz. Rowlinson even turned down offers from SA in order to play for the abs
Posted 22:20 24th October 2012
paulynz says...
Side issue...
It would interesting to know the value of rugby players as a New Zealand export. Obviously those players that were born in another country have their value added by the New Zealand Rugby system.
Posted 19:23 24th October 2012
paulynz says...
@Willy
Sure, seen that before, but not an answer to my question (and I think you know that).
I'll re-phrase...
Please name the island players (in that group) who were offered contacts to play in New Zealand while they were playing rugby in their home country.
Posted 18:57 24th October 2012
Willy says...
@Paulynz
http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/bornoverseas.ASP?stats_ID=8
Posted 16:23 24th October 2012
Trader2 says...
Just as well John O'Neill didn't realise that Sean's paternal grandparents, hopped offthe boat in Perth for five minutes on the way to NZ, otherwise he would have nabbed him for the Wannabies.
Seriously though good luck to Maitland, he was unfortunate to come along at the same time as a long list of very good wing three quarters were making their mark in NZ.
Posted 14:26 24th October 2012
Ferdie says...
passtheball - Ben Botica (from The Guardian) "he holds a British passport having lived in England for eight years as a child, when his father was playing rugby league for Wigan. Ben Botica: I'm pretty sure I'm eligible but it's one step at a time."
He played for North Harbour in ITM Cup last year but couldn't get a Super Rugby contract in NZ. Good luck to him, all adds to the mix in international rugby.
Posted 13:54 24th October 2012
Bones7 says...
What are his chances on getting a spot on the Lions tour do we reckon? I wonder if there are any other similar players playing in the SH that could get selected for the Lions? What's the rule? Would they have to declare their nationality when selected or could they play for the Lions then get capped by a country outside the British Isles?
Posted 13:40 24th October 2012
passtheball says...
After more than a decade of the UK press telling endless misinformation (lies) about NZ poaching PI players it seems people still believe it - not surprising really. I said at the time as soon as England get their first PI centre / wing the whole poaching issue will be swept under the carpet. "People in glasshouses etc" Times jouno Stephen Jones, the ABs biggest critic, was this week asking the English selectors to look at new boy Ben Botica, the son of former AB and Maori rep. He might have an English grannie? Now that's world class hypocrisy.
Posted 13:36 24th October 2012
paulynz says...
Good luck to the young fella. Must be frustrating playing consistently well but not being able to force your way through the logjam into the ABs.
Very good player who could become a star if he gets some ball on a firm pitch.
Posted 12:27 24th October 2012
paulynz says...
@Willy
Please name the island players that were offered contacts to play in New Zealand while they were playing rugby in their home country.
Posted 12:19 24th October 2012
APV1 says...
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Some bloke said that a little while ago and, perhaps, we should all take heed.
If all of the players in the squad of the country you support are from that country (born *and* raised), then fine. If not, petition the IRB and accept the current rules.
So, anyone support Russia?
Posted 11:15 24th October 2012
melkdave says...
@Bigb6969
Im araid the Marois ,cant ever be NZ 2nd team or designated team ,as they are not a represenative side,but like the barbarians an invitational side.Any player with maroi blood can play for them ,os the only qualification neded .So Q.Cooper or M.harris despite being australian could play for them .as an example if they have maroi ancestry
Posted 11:13 24th October 2012
Ferdie says...
he won't beat Brendan Laney's record - named in Scotland squad 2 days after arriving there from NZ in 2001. Hadn't heard the term "kilted Kiwi' till today - good one.
Posted 10:03 24th October 2012
kenzo says...
that being said it will be interesting to see what scottish rugby has to offer him. he works magic when given space and yet the scots arent exactly well known for their attacking game. there is certainly the chance that the scots wont make the same use of him as he may be used to in a red jersey and come back to nz dissatisfied
Posted 09:34 24th October 2012
Michtymauler says...
I'm a bit gobsmacked over the rants I've read on this subject! I have always maintained an opinion that a player should only be eligible to play for a country at national level if there is a minimum bloodline to and as far as grandparent. (With Japan and similar nations exempt in order to progress rugby). Now, I would prefer to see a home grown player progress to national level, however, am I think some posters should pay attention to this part, Maitland is one quarter Scottish!!! Two grandparents being Scottish!!!
Therefore he is eligible to play for Scotland!! Due to the mass injury problems both Scottish districts are suffering, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets selected for Scotland in November let alone the 6 Nations.
It's a pat on the back for Mr Lineen who has completed his first task in his new role at the SRU. However I think he should concentrate on finding some front row players as there appears to be only one fit prop and the same one playing representative rugby!! A bit concerning for the November internationals.
So, to summarise, Maitland qualifies to play through his paternal bloodline, unlike several other nations including England who are one third Springboks A at the moment and Aus and NZ who have been pilfering islanders for decades!!! The end. ;-)
Posted 07:57 24th October 2012
kenzo says...
well that kinda sucks but i guess its better get out early before you start to stagnate waiting for an AB call up. Im not too sure (clueless really) but isnt this essentially what qwade did cos he didnt think he would be selected over DC? If that's the case NZ public is pretty hypocritical; praising Sean and hating Quade (kneeing GOAT sure didnt help though)
Posted 06:30 24th October 2012
hellovanite says...
boksmashoffice... Totally agree, the rules are an out and out farce. I didn't get picked for the Boks or ABs (notice I left out Oz, because they're the worst) so I'll be at Scot or a Pom or an Aussie. Pathetic, nuture your own first, this does nothing for the national aspirations of local players. What a Joke
Posted 06:24 24th October 2012
bigb6969 says...
I am sure he will be in the Scottish team next month.
Now I was going to post that NZ fielded a "Junior All Black" team for a number of years, but I looked up my NZ Alnamacks, and in 2008 we did not field an junior AB team ! The year before and after we fielded an "Junior" ABs in the IRB Pacific Nations Championship, winning every game every year BTW.
Wasn't Steven Shingler was ruled out because Wales had officially declared their u-20 squad was the 2nd team for that year ?
The only other side that NZ fielded in the 2008 calendar year that could surpass it was the NZ Maori Team, which incidentally took the place of the Junior ABs in the IRB PI Champs (they also won every game) The NZ Maori Side must have been nominated as No2 team that year ? It was a senior XV. Maitland did not play for the NZ Maori that year.
I think under 20s should be the capture rule, however especially to smaller nations, what about rule that lets you play for another nation after a , say , 1-3 year stand down, but you are also past your 33rd birthday, or maybe 34th? It would have meant a 37 Tana Umaga (born NZ) could play for Samoa. Or Abdulatif Benazzi could play for Morocco for year or 2 Passing down knowledge and strengthening their team. Not soe keen that a Brad Thorn went back and played for Australia next year !!
Posted 04:44 24th October 2012
passtheball says...
He must be very frustrated. As a school boy Maitland was ear marked for the ABs. That's why the Crusaders poached him straight from Hamilton Boys but despite top performances he cannot even consistently make their top team recently. I thought the Chiefs might sign him but this move will give him access to Int rugby as the AB door seems closed to him. He could be a sensation if given room but will Scotland have that ability.
Disappointing to find posters still going on about NZ poaching PI players. The reverse is true now - PI teams are "poaching" NZ born players. The ABs have never picked any PI born player who has not been through the NZ school system. That's not like taking a full grown / trained player like Botica, Harris or Maitland - that's poaching! And good luck to them anyway.
Posted 02:21 24th October 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
@sextons_on_fire// Just something you may need to consider champ! It is possible to be related to some-one & not share grandparents!! he he..I got Scottish & English grand parent on different sides of the Fam's...I let you work it out! he he
Posted 00:36 24th October 2012