Cuister wants to stake claim

14 April 2012

Scotland international Chris Cusiter is determined to stake his summer tour claim for the Dark Blue number nine jersey with an impressive display against the Barbarians at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Borders scrum-half has received the nod from head coach Matt Williams for the game at the weekend ahead of Mike Blair and Graeme Beveridge.

But, despite his friendship with the pair, Cusiter desperately wants to become one of the first names on the team-sheet when Scotland play against Australia and Samoa on tour.

He said: "It will be a big test for me but it will be very exciting at the same time.

"It's an ideal touring destination, to get the chance to play against the Wallabies in their own back yard and against Samoa should be very good.

"There is quite a lot of competition for scrum-half and I have got the first chance on Saturday so I need to perform to the best of my ability.

"Mike and Graeme are pushing too. I just have to concentrate on my own performances and the rest is down to the selectors.

"It is an excellent opportunity on Saturday. I started games in the Six Nations but there is no guarantee I am going to be starting games on tour so every game is an opportunity to prove that you are the best player for that position.

"I will just try and play as well as I can and we will see what happens after that."

But the tour and the Baa-Baas game offers Cusiter and the team the opportunity to prove themselves again after a disastrous RBS 6 Nations.

Williams saw his team whitewashed in the competition - his first in charge of the side following his succession to the role after Ian McGeechan became SRU director of rugby.

Cusiter is confident a tangible improvement will be on display Down Under but concedes the tournament earlier this year had been difficult for everyone at Murrayfield.

He said: "It was tough to come in during that time but it was a strange situation because it was the first time I have been involved so everything was so new and exciting.

"There were some tough times during the Six Nations but it is a help having the senior players guiding you and talking to you.

"It's not very hard to motivate yourself to play for Scotland because it is such an honour, so I am just intent on working hard to make sure we get that win in the future.

"Playing with Chris Paterson at 10 for my first couple of games was excellent because he has been around for a while and he has a lot of caps under his belt and he is certainly a good calming influence.

"Playing with guys like Tom Smith, Scott Murray, Simon Taylor and the big-name players that I have watched on television for years is really good, and to know they have that experience.

"It is quite a young side generally but I have played with quite a lot of these young guys before for the 21s and other age groups.

"It's good to have them here with me and, hopefully, we can all move up the ranks together."

The Barbarians will be spearheaded by New Zealand international Taine Randell who has been appointed captain for the tour, which includes games against Wales and England.

The Saracens back-row forward will team up with his vice-captain Brian O'Driscoll for the series of games where French legend Thomas Castaignede will be part of the touring team.

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