SEAN MAITLAND took just seven minutes to mark his introduction to Murrayfield with a try but Glasgow’s new strike weapon isn’t regarding it as “the first of many.”
That was his captain Al Kellock’s verdict on the former Crusader’s first score at the national stadium which kick-started the Warriors’ dominant victory in the second leg of the 1872 Cup against Edinburgh on Saturday.
No doubt Kellock has an eye on the hope that the prolific New Zealand-born full-back/wing, who made his name as proven finisher with the Crusaders and whose randparents were born in Scotland, may warrant a quick elevation into the national team for the RBS 6 Nations.
But Maitland knows it’s early days this was just his third start in a Warriors jersey and he’s taking nothing for granted.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” he said when appraised of his skipper’s comment.
“It was certainly pretty awesome to play at Murrayfield for the first time and to score my first try for Glasgow here was pretty special. But all I’m trying to do is build, keep working hard and stay out of trouble.”
Maitland, like fellow Warrior import Josh Strauss before him, has taken time to adapt to Scottish conditions but feels he is getting there.
“To be honest, the process should take a few weeks,” he said.
“It was actually nice to play at Murrayfield on a dry field at last but I’m working from week to week and building up from there.
“I’ve settled in pretty quickly. The boys have all been great and the two games against Edinburgh have been the perfect springboard we need to head up the `Rabo’ table a bit. We just need to keep up the pressure against Treviso on Friday.”
Maitland has been impressed with the quality of his new team-mates after coming across from the Super 15, thought to be the most open and skilful rugby contest in the world.
“Against Edinburgh our pack was magnificent, the scrum was dominant and Big Al was sensational at lineout so we had the platform to perform,” he said.
“Personally I’ve been looking to come into the middle off my wing more and get involved in the last couple of games as I’ve settled in, just to up my workrate gradually.
“It’s exciting to find the combinations with other guys and how they like to play, and I love getting my hands on the ball as much as possible. We’ve got wonderful ball players in the midfield in Peter Horne, Ruaridh Jackson and Sean Lamont so I’ll be hanging around off their shoulders more and more in the next few weeks.”
Kellock got his hands on the 1872 Cup for a fourth year in succession and believes that his players have done their Scotland prospects a lot of good with the 6 Nations just four weeks away.
“Scott (Johnson) will have his own views on that but I thought a lot of our guys were exceptional,” said the skipper. “The whole back row were outstanding and the front row were dominant.”
Kellock singled out back rowers Ryan Wilson and Jon Harley as well as tight-head Moray Low, who looked back to his best after injury.
“He had a point to prove and he proved it. But consistency is the key for us all in becoming a top class player,” said Kellock.
stscott@thecourier.co.uk