Sean Maitland may have gone to the same school as Warren Gatland, but the Glasgow Warriors and Scotland wing isn’t expecting the ‘old school tie’ to do him any favours when it comes to selection for the British & Irish Loins tour.
The former Crusaders star has grabbed his chances since moving to Glasgow late last year and has established himself as an international player in the Scottish set-up. He made a try scoring debut in the RBS 6 Nations against England and was an ever-present in the tournament.
It was a good start and he did catch-up with Gatland during the tournament, as he explained to The Dominion Post.
"Warren was the Waikato coach when I was at Hamilton Boys' High School. I hadn't seen him in about six years, but I bumped into him after a Scotland game against Wales,” said the 24-year-old Maitland.
"I said ‘gidday' and he gave me a few tips and work-ons – that was about it really. The Six Nations was pretty stop-start and all about building pressure and territory, which is not what I am really used to with the dry grounds of Super Rugby and expansive game plans there.
"I don't know how that works out – finishing third with just two wins, In that win against Ireland we pretty much defended the whole game and won it.
“That's the sort of rugby you have here. It is built on defence and they are always going to be tight games. You have to get your kick-and-chase game locked down and go looking more for the ball."
The Lions have a history of touring with New Zealand-born players. Riki Flutey became a Test Lion in the win over South Africa in the third and final Test in Johannesburg in 2009 and both Arthur O’Brien and Pat McEvedy toured with the Lions in 1904 and McEvedy, who eventually became President of the New Zealand Rugby Union, went on a second tour in 1908.
"Everyone is asking about the Lions – but that is going to be tough to make, especially with so many good outside backs around. It would be bloody good if it happened,” admitted Maitland. “Otherwise I have a tour with Scotland of South Africa in the summer."
