Former Glasgow coach instrumental in securing 'massive signing' for Scottish rugby

Senior Sports Writer

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Having led the charm offensive that persuaded Sean Maitland to join his old club, Sean Lineen yesterday explained how a new level of professionalism had paved the way for the recruitment of the Canterbury Crusader.

Sean Maitland has spent five years at the top level in New Zealand. Picture: Getty Images

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Kevin Ferrie

The former Glasgow Warriors coach had identified the Scottish qualified full-back as a transfer target several years ago, but being able to speak to him during his fact-finding trip to New Zealand last month made a significant difference in negotiating terms.

"This is a massive signing for Scottish rugby and it was a great team effort across the line to get him," he said. "It was my job to go to see him but a lot of of people have been involved in the process."Where Scottish teams have largely had to settle for players who are learning their trade, past their best or operating below top level when targeting overseas recruits, the man they call the original Kilted Kiwi noted that Maitland is a class performer in his prime."He is a 24-year-old who is at or approaching his peak and is a quality player who has spent five seasons in Super rugby," said Lineen. "This is a crucial stage of his career and he is excited about coming to Scotland. I think he started to think more about coming to Scotland after the 2011 World Cup when he wasn't selected for the New Zealand squad after being talked about as a real contender having had a fantastic 2011."Given the controversies that have been concocted in the past about the recruitment of dual-qualified players into the Scottish game, Lineen knew it was important to do his groundwork and be sure about Maitland's character and motivation."It has never been more important than it is now to look at the person behind the player," he acknowledged."By being over in New Zealand I was able to go and meet his mum and dad in Hamilton before going on to see him and discuss it with him. I was able to let them see that there's a real opportunity for him here, but it was a brave decision and a big decision."While Scottish rugby's spending power has been transformed in the months since Lineen was sacked from the Warriors job but was persuaded to take on a new role combining talent recruitment with developing homegrown talent as coach of Scotland's under-20s, he knows, too, that resources are far from unlimited."It's very important that we make it clear that it's about the quality not the quantity when it comes to bringing new talent into the sport," he pointed out. "In terms of developing talent, it's about what's in Scotland first and foremost."As under-20s coach, I'm really excited by what I am seeing at under-16 and under-18 level coming through."The timing of Maitland's signing, little more than two weeks before New Zealand's All Blacks arrive at Murrayfield, inevitably sparks comparisons with the events of 11 years ago when Brendan Laney's selection for Scotland against the players he had grown up with sparked an ill-advised player revolt which undermined the credibility of the then team management.Lineen would not be drawn on whether he thinks Andy Robinson might include Maitland in his squad today, then, but noted that the new recruit is short on match practise."He hasn't played for the last two months because of a hand injury," he said."I would imagine Glasgow supporters can expect to see him at his best in late November or early December."

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Former Glasgow coach instrumental in securing 'massive signing' for Scottish rugby

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