Blair Murray

THE SCARLETS FULL-BACK HAS BEEN A RARE RAY OF LIGHT IN THIS GENERATIONAL WOEFUL RUN OF FORM FOR WALES

- Words BEN COLES

FOLLOWING HIS debut at the back end of 2024 for Wales – a successful one, given he scored with his first touch in Test rugby (right) – Blair Murray was joined on the field by his family for a photo, proudly wearing his first cap. His mum, dad and sister were all there, having flown in from Taranaki in New Zealand, and stood alongside Murray's girlfriend.

And then there were more family members. A lot more. Another 27 people, in fact, when you tot them all up, and if you include the baby in a carrier, who in years to come will no doubt be shown the moment they were there for Uncle Blair's Wales debut. “I can't believe how many cousins I've got, to be honest,” Murray laughs.

Given that Murray has been settling outside of New Zealand for the first time, having that support network seems to have been immensely valuable. Much like the sight of Murray bursting through a gap in a defensive line, his start to life in Wales fittingly was a blur. In what felt like mere minutes after he had arrived to join the Scarlets, having only played just six games for the region, Murray was being picked by Warren Gatland to start on the wing against Fiji.

“I've never lived outside of New Zealand until I came here. But having so many family members that are so loving and supportive, being able to see them whenever I want, it's really nice.”

The background here is that Murray's mother, Paula, hails from Tonyrefail in the Rhondda. His father, Jim, was travelling around Europe, working on ski fields and playing hockey, when he met Paula in England. They stayed there for a couple of years before heading back to New Zealand.