Laney lines up as new kilted Kiwi
November 22, 2001

New Zealand-born full-back Brendan Laney is set to be unveiled as Scotland's newest international today.

When coach Ian McGeechan names his side to face the All Blacks at Murrayfield on Saturday, Laney, who has been in the country barely a week since signing for Edinburgh from Otago, is expected to become the latest in a batch of "kilted Kiwis" to play for the Scots in recent years.

Despite the return to fitness of Chris Paterson, Laney took the full-back position as the Scots were put through their paces in Edinburgh on Tuesday, with Paterson on the wing.

The decision to select Laney is sure to arouse passions within influential Scottish rugby circles. Former British Lion Gavin Hastings and Grand Slam skipper David Sole are known to be unhappy at the likelihood of Laney earning an international cap before he has even played a club game in his adopted country.

Ironically, Laney would owe his place in the side to the absence of another New Zealand-born player in Glenn Metcalfe, whose knee ligament problem has not healed sufficiently for him to start.

Coach McGeechan has been resolute in his defence of using overseas players, insisting that he "does not see it as contentious".

McGeechan added: "If they are qualified to play for Scotland and they are the best player in that position, that is enough for me."

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