A Word With ...Sean Maitland | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

The Crusaders' 19-year-old wing Sean Maitland talks to Star sports editor Nick Tolerton ...

# You're looking very at home in Super 14 for someone with only four NPC games behind you?

It's been good so far. Any game time I'm getting, I'm just relishing it. I was lucky enough to get a few opportunities which I've taken.

# Is it a big step up from NPC?

Yes, but when you're playing with the likes of All Blacks, they help you ease into the environment and the game, and it gives you a lot of confidence.

# How valuable for a young newcomer like you was having the tour at the start of the season and mixing with the old hands away for three weeks?

Yes, very. It's given me an indication I am good enough to be here and that you can play up to this level, and giving me a lot of confidence.

# The Cheetahs come here tomorrow night bottom of the table?

We can't fall into the trap that we sort of did against the Force where we played a game of two halves. Every team that plays the Crusaders plays up to their A game because we're one of the top sides, so we've got to do the basics well. If we do that we should knock them over.

# The fans were a bit shocked seeing the Force running in four tries after the Crusaders were so tight in defence in the earlier games. Was it a blow to the guys' pride?

When I was watching in the first half I sort of had it running in the back of my mind that we could actually lose this game, but in the second half things started flowing better and we played with more intensity than in the first half. I think the boys showed a lot of courage out there, and showed that we can come back and be a force to be reckoned with. It was a real big wake-up call - some of the boys said maybe we needed that. It was good to still come up with the win after we'd been 12 points behind.

# Do you get a hard time when you go back to Waikato?

At first I did but everyone's used to it now, and see how I'm going and are real supportive.

# What's the funniest thing you've seen on the field?

When someone's undies get pulled down when they're tackled.

# Favourite holiday destination?

Whangamata. The holidays this summer were the first I didn't go there - I went to Queenstown instead.

# Favourite movie?

At the moment probably American Gangster.

# TV?

I have to say I'm a bit of a Shortland Street fan! I've been watching that for a while. And Prison Break. Big turn off - Home and Away. It's a bit lovey-dovey.

# Ideal night out in Christchurch?

Start off at the flat having a few drinks, then hitting the Strip and having a good time.

# Music?

I like a bit of house music, techno. But I like everything -R&B;, hip-hop, whatever's hot.

# Drop some teammates in it. Who's the team stirrer? Rumour has it you're making a contribution in that department?

Eh? I reckon Ali Williams or Corey Flynn. Corey can give it but he can't take it! Ali's just classic. He's always one of those guys with something funny to say. All the boys just love him.

# Worst roomie?

Caleb Ralph. He's clean as. You can't be messy with him.

# Most irritating team mate?

Probably Michael Paterson. He talks some, um, bollocks.

# The guys cultivated some interesting whiskers on tour again. The biggest disaster?

Ali Williams. He was so embarrassed because they were ginger that he dyed 'em black.

# Worst dresser?

Campbell Johnstone. He wears the same clothes every time we go out. Cracks me up.

# Father figure for a rookie like you?

Leon MacDonald!

# Interests away from footie?

I love to surf, down at Brighton.

# As good as Whangamata?

Ah, it's quite good down here. I'm loving it.