Kilted Kiwi stands his ground
Scotland's controversial new recruit, Hugh Blake, has urged fans to let him prove his worth following the furore over his call-up into the Six Nations squad.
The Edinburgh back row forward only arrived from his native New Zealand last month and has yet to play for the capital outfit.
But that didn't stop Scotland coach Vern Cotter, himself a New Zealander, including Blake in his squad for the Six Nations – with the Dark Blues facing France in Paris on February 7 in their opening match of the 2015 edition.
Blake's selection revived the debate about the vexed question of 'Kilted Kiwis' and was especially contentious as his inclusion came as Cotter left out former Scotland captain Kelly Brown and in-form Scarlets flank John Barclay.
Cotter has insisted that Blake offers Scotland something they don't already possess and the 22-year-old now hopes he has given a chance to back up the coach's assessment.
"Yeah my call up has come as a surprise," Blake told Radio Clyde.
"I've come over at such a young age with ambitions to eventually play for Scotland.
"It's all happened earlier than expected but I'm honoured and psyched to be a part of it," added Blake, qualified to play for Scotland through his Glasgow-born grandparents.
"My message to people would be to ask them to be open-minded. I'm new. I didn't select the team. I'm just going to be trying my best over the next few days to try to eventually play for Scotland.
"Vern Cotter has done his research and I'm just going to do my best for the fans and for Scotland rugby. I just want people to give me a chance."
Blake has played representative rugby for New Zealand, having starred for the Junior All Blacks at the 2012 Under-20 World Cup in South Africa.
However, he was adamant there were no divided loyalties in his case.
"There's always been Scotland rugby on in our house," he said.
"My uncle would get up to watch the Six Nations.
"As I grew up playing rugby in New Zealand I always knew I had the option of playing for Scotland. I just decided to give it a good crack, hence why I have come over here at such a young age.
"I played for the New Zealand Colts at the World Cup but I knew that would be a good chance for me to prove myself to the guys from Scotland and that's where I got picked up."
With world champions New Zealand producing far more players than can be accommodated by the All Blacks, those who leave for foreign fields find themselves accused of going in search of 'easy caps' elsewhere.
However, Blake insisted: "There are no easy caps to win in international rugby. The quality is no different.
"I believe Vern has done a lot of research and watched a lot of video footage of me from back in New Zealand.
"I've had a few talks with him and he's described the way Scotland are trying to play and it suits my game. I just hope I can prove that to him over the next few days and potentially get selected to play.
"I think with the way Scotland are trying to play, a bit more up-tempo, a bit more expansive, it suits the way I play. I think I'm ready to play at international level.
"I hope I'm the type of player the fans will want to see. I'm not sure at the moment. I'm new to the Scotland set up but I hope I can prove myself, not only to the coaches, but the fans as well."
AFP
