Longforgan finally got its first Scotland cap on Saturday at BT Murrayfield – and although he had to wait, Murphy Walker is desperate for more.
The 23-year-old from the Carse village toured Argentina with Scotland this summer, but frustratingly didn’t get on to the pitch in any of the cap games.
But he stayed patient, and the call came against Fiji. That precious first cap was presented by friend and colleague Zander Fagerson in the Murrayfield dressing room after the game with his parents watching on.
Murphy is now aiming on a second ultimate dream – playing New Zealand and facing the Haka.
‘I’m champing at the bit for more’
Congratulations to the @Scotlandteam and to the two Kelvinside Academy coaches Murphy Walker and Richie Grey with the win against Fiji. Additionally massive congratulations to @Murphywalker99 on his first Scotland cap and hopefully the first of many! 👏🏴 pic.twitter.com/EBY9EdKR0i
— Kelvinside Sports (@KA_PhysEd) November 6, 2022
“A moment my parents and I won’t forget until the day we die,” he said of the cap ceremony. “But now I have the cap I’m champing at the bit for more.”
He admitted that being the only player left uncapped after the Argentina tour was a struggle for him, but it worked out pretty well.
“I have a big belief that these things happen for a reason,” said the Glasgow tight-head prop.
“Yes it was tough to come home without playing. But it meant I had the opportunity here at Murrayfield, with pretty much a full crowd, and 11 of my family and all my friends here to see it.
“It was all the more special. I was kept waiting for a bit on the touchline but got on, had about 12 scrums and a bit of kick chase.
“There was still a job to do. I had to stick in and keep applying the pressure at the setpiece, keeping that hustle because you can never count them out of a game.”
‘Zander was my idol’
Getting his first cap from Fagerson was also special. Both were born in Dundee, went to Strathallan School and play the same position, after all.
“Zander was my idol when I was younger,” he said. “We came from the same school, play the same position and now at Glasgow he’s the one I’m chasing. He had some very kind words which is not usual for him!
“I always looked up to him at Strath, we all did. I think I was in first or second form when he was in the Upper Sixth, playing No 8 for the school and swatting boys off right, left and centre.”
Walker is just the latest in a string of Strath boys who’ve gone all the way to the Scotland team. He follows both Fagerson brothers, George Horne, Murray McCallum, most recently Ollie Smith and of course Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie.
“They were all inspirations for us in the junior school,” added Murphy. “I remember Jamie came round for a coaching session when he’d just played and captained Under-18s. We were all starstruck.”
‘You realise it’s not easy’
Best of luck to ex @WeRDundeeEagles Murphy Walker for his first cap for Scotland this weekend against Fiji 🤩
Dundee rugby will be cheering you on!#DundeeRugby #DundeeRugbyClub #DundeeEagles #StrongerTogether https://t.co/sPPvRxXbNb
— Dundee Rugby Club (@DundeeRugbyClub) November 3, 2022
Saturday was just Murphy’s tenth representative game. Although his versatility on both sides of the scrum has helped, it’s not been until this season that he feels he’s broken through.
“In the summer I had some great conversations with Gregor Townsend and (scrum coach) Pieter de Villiers about waiting for my opportunity, and how important it was to take it when it came.
“You realise it’s not easy. You have to play the long game, bide your time and have faith the opportunity will come.
“I hadn’t had as many opportunities as I would have liked, particularly at the end of last season, to prove myself to Gregor and Pieter and show what I can do.
“But with Franco (Smith) coming in at Glasgow, he’s trying different combinations and different things. I have been getting more game time week on week.
“It’s just putting yourself forward in training, your hand up for selection and playing more games.”
The next game for Scotland would be extra special, he added.
“To back up Fiji with New Zealand would be unbelievable, a hell of an experience,” he said.
“The All Blacks have always been in the top three teams in the world. It’s always been a goal in my life to face The Haka, play against them and beat them.
“I was there in 2017, the last time we played them. And I played against the Junior All Blacks for Scotland Under-20s.
“There was a Haka then and that was quite cool. We got quite close with 10 minutes to go against them but ran out of time.”
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