KOBE, 30 Sep - Scotland winger Sean Maitland is relishing the prospect of a family reunion against his Samoan cousin Pele Cowley at the Kobe Misaki Stadium on Monday.

“My little cousin (Samoa’s replacement scrum-half) is on the bench so it’s very special for the family,” said the New Zealand-born back. “We have a big contingent coming over to the stadium tomorrow. We grew up together, so it’s pretty crazy where rugby sort of brings you.”

Maitland, 31, born in Tokorua, near Hamilton, on New Zealand’s North Island, won world titles at U19 and U20 level with his native country before linking up successfully with the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

“Not many people know this, but my mother is half Samoan,” he said. “My grandad was born in Samoa and they emigrated in the 60s. So I only remember New Zealand to be honest.”

Maitland’s other grandparents were born in Glasgow, where he moved in 2012 and made his Scotland debut the following year, scoring a try against England at Twickenham.

He played against Samoa at RWC 2015 when Scotland won 36-33 in Newcastle to edge into the quarter-finals, but his cousin missed that game through injury.

 

“That was a cool game to be a part of - and tomorrow night will be similar,” said Maitland, who will earn his 44th cap on Monday.

“It’s special. Hopefully he gets on and I can get a knock on him.”

Maitland is also related to former All Black 'Smokin' Joe Stanley on his mother’s side, with New Zealand-born Australia fly-half Quade Cooper another member of his wider family.

RNS bp/dh/mj