Cusiter was an integral part of the midweek team that was skippered by countryman Gordon Bulloch but failed to make the Test side despite some impressive performances.

He is now turning his attention to Scotland with the autumn Test series at Murrayfield offering a chance to prove to Sir Clive Woodward he was wrong to leave him out.

The star-studded All Blacks face the Scots before an anticipated sell-out crowd in the capital on November 20.

He said: ''I've a chance, to some extent, to show what I could have done.

''Obviously, New Zealand are a pretty good side and I've got some close-up experience of how good they are.

''It will be a big challenge for us but I think you probably have to play these kind of teams to try and get better. That game will benefit Scotland.''

Woodward's Lions were well-beaten by the formidable All Blacks, losing the series 3-0 but Cusiter insists he has benefited greatly from the whole experience.

''I loved it. I really, really enjoyed it and feel that I've really benefited from it,'' he said.

''I hold no grudges, I'm not bitter at all. I loved being on the tour and I loved playing on the midweek side.

''It wasn't to be that I was going to get involved in the Test matches. In four years there is another tour and I'll be setting my sights on that. It would be great to see a few more Scots involved then, too.

''So I've got no regrets. I'm disappointed with the fact that I didn't get selected but that's just the way it goes.''

Bulloch's decision to retire from the international arena and focus on his club rugby at Leeds Tykes has left the Scots, for now, without a captain or a coach.

Both issues are likely to be resolved in the coming weeks and Cusiter believes now is a great chance for young players to make their mark.

''Gordon has been in Scotland and been involved with Scotland for a long time so I think he thought it was time to move on,'' said the 23-year-old.

''The Premiership is an intense competition week-in, week-out and I assume that he felt he had to put all his energies into that to get the best out of him.

''It means the Scotland team is fairly young just now. There are a lot of young guys coming through and a lot of older players retiring. There are chances for young guys.''