Edinburgh Rugby's new signing Brendan Laney will be looking to enhance his reputation for cutting defences apart as he begins his career in Scotland.

Laney, 28, is the second high profile recruit from New Zealand, with former All Black skipper Todd Blackadder set to join him shortly, and the fact his maternal grandmother was born in Glasgow may see him fast-tracked into the international set-up.

Laney was Otago Highlanders' leading try-scorer with 11 in the season just ended, and led the points chart as well with 135. In last month's NPC final, he scored 16 points in Otago's 30-19 loss to Canterbury, who were captained for the last time that day by Blackadder.

Laney's party-piece is doing a chainsaw salute after scoring a try - a reference to the nickname landed on him back in Dunedin by student fans of Otago.

"Some scarfies came up with it," Laney told The Scotsman. "I saw a big banner at the ground saying Chainsaw For Mayor. Later I met one of them and asked "What do you call me Chainsaw for?" "Because you cut through opposition defences," he said. "I thought it wouldn't stick, but it did, and I must admit I played up to it a couple of times."

Although the sight of Laney in a Scotland shirt is a possibility in the future he remains focussed on boosting Edinburgh's standing.

"My first assignment is with Edinburgh Rugby," he told the newspaper. "Any thought of playing for Scotland is at the back of my mind. It is a possibility, and it's great to see guys like John Leslie, Martin Leslie and Gordon Simpson playing so well for Scotland. If that sort of thing happens, I'll grab it with both hands."

That enthusiasm was also evident when Laney was asked what he hoped to bring to Edinburgh.

"First and foremost, hopefully, a smile," he replied. "I enjoy my rugby - if you're not enjoying it, you shouldn't be playing it. It's a game, and it should be fun. I enjoy full-back, that's the position I've played most of my rugby in, but I'm comfortable on the wing as well."

Ian Rankin, the Edinburgh team manager, was full of praise for his new signing, "Brendan will be a worthy addition to the squad. The range of his offensive capabilities [was] ably demonstrated in the NPC final, when he scored in every possible way with a try, conversion, drop goal and two penalties.

"As well as being very good at standing in the tackle and off-loading or feeding his support, he is an excellent runner and is exceptionally good at crossing the advantage line."