Sean Maitland : Scored on debut
Scotland's New Zealand-born winger Sean Maitland says he still has a lot to prove to the people of his adopted country.
The former Crusaders speedster made a try-scoring debut for Scotland against England on Saturday, but it wasn't enough to prevent his team from suffering a 38-18 defeat.
Scotland's first match under Australian interim coach Scott Johnson saw them score the first try of the 131st meeting between rugby's oldest international rivals thanks to Maitland.
But England overpowered their visitors to record a comprehensive victory, as Scotland's 30-year wait for a Twickenham triumph was extended yet again.
And Maitland insists he and his fellow team-mates have big improvements to make ahead of this weekend's clash with Italy, who stunned France on Sunday.
"You can't be negative," said the 24-year-old, who qualifies for Scotland through his paternal grandparents.
"You've got to be positive. There were heaps of positives: scoring tries and staying in the game.
"But you've got to look at the things you need to work on. There are a lot of things that we need to work on, let's be honest.
"It's just a shame we didn't do the jersey justice; all the boys are very disappointed.
"Things have gone really fast for me. I've only been here for a couple of months. To be playing Test rugby for Scotland is a dream come true.
"It's just the start, hopefully, for me. Going back home to Murrayfield is going to be special. Hopefully I get to play and experience Murrayfield for the first time.
"I've still got a lot to prove to the people of Scotland, getting selected having not been in the country for long."
He added: "I scored my first try in my first Test. I was happy with the first 10 minutes but the next 60 minutes I wasn't too happy.
"There's a few things we need to work on. The tackle area and getting our backs involved. We (the backs) were a bit of a myth out there.
"We were more frustrated, all three of us. There's a lot of talent to be shown in our backline. It's just one of those things."
Comments
passtheball says...
Strange that Todd Blackadder might have been the Scotland coach and Maitland might have made the ABs. Todd will be rueing his decisions re the Crusader's back three. Sean seemed to go backwards under his coaching - not sure why - maybe he should have stayed in the Chiefs region.
I think England will be a real threat in the next W Cup.
Posted 12:14 05th February 2013
scot_rsa says...
melkdave - the more I think on it the more I'd keep Hogg at fullback. We'll have good centres in the next year or two, perhaps Horne and Dunbar or Scott and Dunbar as Scott is a committed lad just needs a good 10. Also got Grove and maybe Bennett in a couple of years. Miss Ansbro we do. Anyway, your point re a long term partner for Gray is a good one. I'm a Kellock fan but it would be better to look for youth. Gilchrist has grafted and would be a good foil for Gray. We must start Heathcote though, would give Matt Scott a fighting chance at hitting some gaps.
Posted 21:37 04th February 2013
Isograford says...
@davodiablo Yeah he gave up on that dream rather early didn't he, especially considering Graham Henry said he got very close to selection a couple of years ago. But then, do we really want a player who waves the white flag that early playing for the AB's.
The Crusaders delisted him so i guess that was all the reason he needed. They have a wing crisis now so i bet Blackadder is regretting that decision, and rightly so, Maitland is twice the player Guilford is.
Posted 18:01 04th February 2013
melkdave says...
Agree with you 100% on Murray and Hamilton @Porridge_Time.I would start with R.Grant and G.Cross as my props with D.Hall as hooker. R.Ford is the same as Hamilton / Murray complacent imo. While at lock its time perhaps to look at Gilchrist,Ryder,or Swinson as long term partners of R.Grey.I would also be tempted to give T.Heathcote a start at FH,but perhaps R.Jackson deserves just one more chance to show he can run a game.but his definatly running out of time to prove it last chance .Also id move S.Hogg to 13 where he excelled at age leval,and drop S.Lamont totally.At 15 either Maitland or Tonks i feel would do a good job.
Posted 12:59 04th February 2013
kinkster says...
agree, hamilton and murray were off the pace. The front five need to up their collective effort. Thought Maitland had a good game, some decent defense, hopefully some of his skills and attitude will rub off on the others. More ball to the back three please, just chuck it straight to them and see what they can do.
Posted 11:07 04th February 2013
davodiablo says...
Honestly
I think the "dream come true" was a Black shirt.
Posted 10:07 04th February 2013
porridge_time says...
The forward allowed the English pack to out muscle them at the breakdown. Playing without a genuine openside is imperative this coming weekend. Also Johnson seriously has to look at the lack of commitment and effort from Euan Murray and Jim Hamilton... these two guys in particular have been luxuries that Scotland cannot afford.
Posted 08:34 04th February 2013