Crusader to Lion

One of his many tries for the Crusaders

What a difference eight months can make. In September/October 2012, Sean Maitland was delisted by the Crusaders – unwanted for the 2013 Super Rugby campaign. It was a move that shocked Kiwi rugby fans – Maitland had been a consistent player for the Crusaders, and his delisting made no sense. End of October 2012, Sean Maitland announced that he had signed a deal with the Glasgow Warriors... it seemed that like a lot of players unable to break into the All Blacks, Maitland was 'escaping' to play out his career in Europe. But rather than 'playing out' his career – his career was just starting.

... not just a talented rugby player!

In November, Maitland moved to Glasgow & began playing for his new Scottish team. In mid January he was named in the Scotland team, for the 2013 Six Nations competition – eligible through his paternal Grandparents. In his first game for Scotland, Maitland scored a try – and went on to play in each of Scotlands matches in the Six Nations tournament. Then in early May, Maitland received the biggest honour of his career when he was named in the Lions squad, to tour Australia in June.

Maitland had gone from being delisted by his Super XV franchise, to being selected as a member of what is one of the most – if not THE most prestigious rugby team, in the world. Not exactly a bad turn of events!

So, who IS Sean Maitland?

Sean Maitland was born in Tokoroa on September 14^th 1988. While at Hamilton Boys High School, was a part of the 1^st XV and in 2005 and 2006, was a part of the New Zealand Schools [rugby] team. In 2007, Maitland was part of the winning New Zealand team at the Under 19 World Cup (alongside now-ex Crusaders teammates – Zac Guidlford, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Sam Whitelock and Robbie Fruean). Maitland then competed for the NZ Under 20's side, who went on to win the 2008 IRB Junior World Cup, with Maitland scoring 4 tries in the tournament. In amongst the U19 and U20 tournaments, in 2006, Maitland began playing for Canterbury in the (as it was then called) NPC

Now a proud Scotland team member

competition and in 2008 made his debut for the Crusaders, where he stayed until he was delisted in 2012. While Maitland never made the All Blacks, in 2010 he was selected in the Maori All Blacks squad.

Depending on what happens with the selections for the Australian squad to play against the Wallabies, we could see Sean Maitland playing against his cousin – none other than Reds player, Quade Cooper. After he was named in the Lions squad, Cooper congratulated Maitland on Twitter – and it will certainly be an interesting occasion if the two cousins DO get to face off! Given New Zealand rugby fans lack-of-love for Quade Cooper, I am sure that Maitland (and the Lions) would have all of New Zealand behind them!