The New Zealand-born forward made his Scotland debut on the summer tour to Argentina and helped Frank Hadden's men to draw the series against the Pumas.

He is now preparing for the new season with his club Edinburgh, seeking to improve on their encouraging efforts last term.

"I qualified on residency grounds for Scotland and it is almost exactly three years since my family and I started living over here," he said.

"I am totally committed to the cause. My family and I love living here and we have enjoyed every minute of our time in Scotland.

"We are going to have connections with Scotland for the rest of our lives with my son Sam being born here 20 months ago.

"I have felt part of the local community and helped out coaching at Murrayfield Wanderers last season.

”We do really enjoy living here and I tell everyone I know back home to come and visit Edinburgh because it is such a nice place."