Blair Murray has admitted he is still in shock after his call-up to Wales’s Autumn Nations squad.
Blair, a summer signing from New Zealand provincial side Canterbury, was named in Warren Gatland’s group for the November Tests following an eye-catching start to his Scarlets career.
The 23-year-old was born in New Zealand, but his mother is from Tonyrefail in the Rhondda Valley and speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, the speedster admitted the international call still hadn’t sunk in.
“I’m still in a bit of shock to be honest,” he admitted. “As soon as training finished I was out on the field and a few of the boys were coming up and staying congrats and I was a bit confused, I wasn’t sure what for. They then told me and it was cool to find out and celebrate here with the boys.
“I had to wait until my parents woke up (back in New Zealand), though, I called mum and dad, they were still half asleep, but they were stoked. There were a few tears from mum, she has always wanted me to wear the red jersey and hopefully I will get my opportunity in November. She was over the moon.
“They have already booked flights to watch one of my Scarlets games, Glasgow in November! I’m not sure if they will be able to change them!
Asked what kind of player Wales fans can expect to see, Blair replied: “I am an attack-minded player; when I have the ball in hand I feel like I am dangerous. My work-ons have definitely been the defensive side, that has been the main focus, I’ve done a lot of work with the coaches here, JP (Jared Payne) has been a huge help, I have worked closely with him trying to see what I can do better.”
As for the season so far, he said: “At the Scarlets, everyone in the backline is dangerous with ball in hand, we just have to figure how to get it to everyone and give players opportunities. We have managed to do that in the last couple of games, it is exciting to watch and exciting to be part of.
“We have got a good environment here; everyone wants to win, everyone is competing at training, everyone is putting their best foot forward, we are trying to create that winning environment here.
“The amount of players who have made the Welsh squad and were unlucky and could have made it shows the quality of our team. Myself and Taine went out for a celebratory dinner last night, we were both chuffed.”