I’ve put my career on line to play for Scotland
SAYS JOHN HARDIE
JOHN HARDIE l ast night hit back at the critics who claim his i ncl usi on in Vern Cotter’s World Cup training squad has demeaned the Scotland jersey — and told them he was taking a huge risk by coming here.
The New Zealander sparked controversy when he was parachuted into Cotter’s plans after setting foot in this country for the first time just over a month ago, with former Scotland and British Lion prop Peter Wright among the loudest dissenting voices when he said Hardie’s involvement was a slap in the face for home-grown back-row players.
However, speaking for the first time since his arrival in Scotland from Otago Highlanders, Hardie vehemently denied he was an opportunist who was simply seeking international honours elsewhere after failing to make it with the All Blacks.
And, after pointing to the fact he has not been promised a contract wit h Glasgow Warriors or Edinburgh, the openside forward insisted that he was the one taking a chance by essentially turning his back on rugby in his native land.
Hardie, who will be desperate to stake his claim for a place in Cotter’s final cut of 31 for the World Cup when he makes his debut against Italy on Saturday, said: ‘I’ve signed for a couple of more weeks in Scotland on what is effectively a trial basis and after that we’ll need to wait and see what happens.
‘There have been no guarantees given and I haven’t signed for Edinburgh or Glasgow Warriors yet. I’m without a club so I’ve taken a big risk by coming over here.
‘I want to stay in the northern hemisphere and play for Scotland if selected but that might not happen. I could remain playing for Scotland by playing in England or France but I’ll need to look at my options. Nothing has been agreed and just now I am unattached.
‘One thing is for sure, there’s no fall back in terms of going back to the Highlanders in New Zealand,’ added Hardie, who qualifies for the Scots through his grandmother, Christina Lumsden, who came from Fife but emigrated as a teenager.
‘I’m t otally committed to Scotland now and I’ve got to back my own ability to make an impression. It’s about getting out there and performing.
‘Playing for Scotland would mean everything to me. Scotland is in my blood, my grandmother was born here and I’ve got to show my team mates how much that jersey means to me.
‘ I know the history of the Scotland jersey, too. You know by the way the boys train and the way they talk that it’s a massive thing. It’s something I will honour.’
Hardie, who grew up on a farm near Invercargill on New Zealand’s south island, acknowledged there is huge pressure on him to perform in Turin as he joins Hugh Blake as the latest Kilted Kiwi.
The 27-year-old, whose late callup to the training squad came at the expense of Kelly Brown and Roddy Grant, said: ‘I know what’s at stake but I am no different to the rest of the boys.
‘The first time I came into the Scotland camp it felt like the first day at school. I didn’t know a lot of people but the boys have been really welcoming and I’m starting to feel more at home here.
‘It’s been really good and I know I’ve made the right decision.
‘I’ve been over here for four weeks now and I’ve probably only had four days off.
‘A few boys from the southern hemisphere are here and they have helped me a lot but all the boys have been good.
‘There are challenges in life and trying to make the Scotland World Cup squad and finding a club to play for is one for me.
‘I’m happy with the decision I’ve made and I’m looking forward to the weekend.’
Scotland assistant head coach Matt Taylor, who yesterday signed a new two-year deal which will keep him working with both the national side and Glasgow until 2017, said the Warriors wouldn’t be able to take Hardie regardless of how well he plays against Italy.
‘I’d love to have a player like John but, at the moment, we’ve got lots of good back-rowers,’ said Taylor.
‘Seven is one position where we have very good players, too many for us to have him at Glasgow.
‘But certainly he’ll find a club in Europe somewhere.
‘I suppose it is a big risk him coming here but he’s a quality player with a strong background. He made the decision to come over here and I think he sees his rugby career at both a national level and club level in the northern hemisphere now. He has taken a gamble, but it’s a calculated risk. I’m sure there will be a lot of clubs keen to snap him up.
‘Since he arrived in Scotland he’s been excellent, an excellent professional. He has probably rightly or wrongly felt the pressure being a New Zealander, but the way he has been so humble and quiet and just got his head down, you couldn’t ask for a better person.
‘People have feelings on who should represent Scotland and how things should be done and I can understand some feeling like that. But there were contractual things around John arriving maybe later than expected. We’re really happy to have him in the squad and if you ask anyone in the group they will say the same thing.’
Grant Gilchrist will skipper Scotland on Saturday against Italy, 10 months after injury cost him the captaincy ahead of the autumn internationals.