John Hardie ‘can woo Scots fans’ - Matt Taylor
John Hardie, Scotland’s latest so-called “kilted Kiwi”, has been tipped to become a future crowd favourite ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The former Otago Highlanders flanker, who qualifies for Scotland through his Fife grandmother and has only been in the country for seven weeks, has been the subject of debate since he was named in Vern Cotter’s World Cup squad ahead of Blair Cowan and John Barclay.
Scotland defence coach Matt Taylor sung the praises of the 26-year-old and said: “I wouldn’t be surprised in six months or a year’s time, once he’s had a lot more games for Scotland, that he becomes a crowd favourite. If he keeps playing the way he is, the Scottish people will appreciate that he’s working hard and putting his body on the line. He’s already done that and I think he’ll continue to do that.”