Visser fancies his chances of playing All Blacks in Capital

By BILL LOTHIAN
Published on 05/07/2012 12:00

New Scotland cap Tim Visser has set himself the target of running out in front of a packed Murrayfield as his next international rugby challenge.

The Dutch-born winger earned his spurs on tour this summer in the faraway settings of Fiji and Samoa.

And, while grateful for the opportunities provided by a residency qualification, Visser aims to ensure it is only a starting point – especially with the world champion All Blacks next up in Edinburgh.

Says Visser: “It’s good that Scotland are playing the world champions next. It’s a brilliant test and good for me personally to maybe get in front of a home crowd which is something I haven’t done yet.

“It would be incredible in terms of being one of the biggest games I have ever played in – if I get chance.”

Reflecting on his cap debut, Visser said: “My emotions at the time were of standing on the pitch and just wanting to start and get my first cap.

“When the first whistle went in my head I felt brilliant. That was that one box ticked.

“Then getting my first try – helped by Nick De Luca, who was brilliant as always in providing a scoring pass –was another tick and typically he was also involved for my second try.

“As hard going as it was in the heat, I wouldn’t have done it any differently.”

Edinburgh are expected to receive a request to release Visser to play for the Barbarians against South Africa in Amsterdam during the weekend between the Autumn Tests and the Heineken European Cup.

While not holding out hope of playing at such a hectic time of the campaign he says: “I knew the Baa-baas game was going to be on because I still have a lot of contacts in Dutch rugby, who I knew were fighting for it.

“If confirmed it will be a great spectacle but I’m not sure about playing in terms of our season at Edinburgh.

“Having represented the Barbarians, it would be incredible to see them playing in the Amsterdam Arena which is one of the best sporting venues in the world.”