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Welsh-qualified Kiwi Blair Murray becomes Scarlets' latest signing

By Josh Raisey
Blair Murray of the Crusaders charges forward during the Super Rugby Pacific Pre-Season Match between Crusaders and Highlanders at Methven Recreational Reserve on February 16, 2024 in Methven, New Zealand. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

The Scarlets have continued their recruitment drive ahead of next season with the signing of Blair Murray from Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.

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The 22-year-old is able to play across the back line, at fly-half, on the wing or at fullback, although he is most comfortable in the back three.

This is a signing that may interest Welsh rugby as a whole, as Murray is Welsh-qualified through his mother despite previously representing New Zealand Schools.

Murray is not the only Welsh-qualified back-three player arriving at Parc y Scarlets, with Nottingham’s Ellis Mee also eligible to don the red jersey. 

This is the second Scarlets signing of the week, after Wales tighthead Henry Thomas agreed to join the club, and sixth overall heading into next season.

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“I am excited to get the opportunity to play for the Scarlets, a great club with a fantastic heritage and passionate fan base,” Murray said after signing.

“I’ve always thought being able to go to Wales would be great for me so for it to be happening and to be able to play in front of my family is a dream come true.”

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Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel added: “Blair is an exciting prospect, a player with pace, who can beat defenders and has excellent footballing ability.

“He has represented New Zealand Schools and has been in and around the Crusaders squad for a couple of years now. He is also Welsh qualified.

“There is no secret that we are in the process of a rebuild and Blair is another signing who will add depth going into the new season.

“We have a lot of talented young players who have a bright future in the game and I am sure the competition we are building for the jersey will drive them all on.”

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2 Comments
S
SadersMan 126 days ago

Oh, I was wondering where he disappeared to. Only a little fullah but dynamic pocket rocket. Good luck to him.

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JW 1 hour ago
The stats show the club v country wounds may never heal

Oh the team is fully made up of those types of players I mentioned, that's for sure, but it's still the same thing (even more relevant when you look at some modern Rugby nations). You also defeated you're own point by showing that league didn't have to add those teams to have the international ticking over.


Don't forget England. Though I can accept if you try to argue Gallagher started the trend first the other way!


Union doesn't have to do that but the question of which area leads the game forward remains. It may well end up being the club/provincial game simply because of the volume of fixtures - and primacy of contract.

What are your idea's that "leading" the game entails? A club body that takes over from World Rugby if say whatever you're talking about was to sway the 'club' way? I don't really know why you're trying to demean League, are you worried that's all Union would turn into? Just looking at them now I see it kicked started their own league and they now have a rep team of locals, much the same sort of impetus behind Moana Pasifika and Drua. It was always only a good thing to me and wonder if this means you're leading down the capitalist path not appreciating that?


If you're just talking about the current situation, why would anything change? Perhaps in a non Test Championship year it's the Lions and maybe others should focus on a single tour rather than globe trotting. I certainly think the International game is maxxed out now with 5 or 6 game regional games and the same intercontinentally.


Perhaps a very unique country like NZ may take their brand around the world but even they are surely going to see the most growth in the other half of the season. The domestic season?

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