By Tournament / Super 14

Robbie Deans gave him his first break, signalling him out as a “special talent,” thankfully not for his taste in TV, confessing he’s a bit of a Shortland Street fan. At 20-years-old, 6”2 and 97kg Canterbury wing, Sean Maitland has already won back-to-back World Cups and a Super 14 winners medal. A precocious talent who will only get better mixing with Dan Carter and Richie McCaw everyday, the Waikato-born giant is cousin of another promising star, Australia’s Quade Cooper.

He was a quick bugger My dad played rugby, not professionally, so I got a bit of speed from him. Growing up I used to watch him and my parents were encouraging me, like all New Zealand rugby fanatics would, so I started off playing a little bit of touch.

I just love meeting new people all around the world The travel and just playing the game you love for a living and now it’s your job is just awesome. That’s the best thing about rugby.

I’ve now played with him which was big buzz Growing up I used to love watching Leon MacDonald and picking up a few of his tricks. Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen are every young New Zealand backs heroes and Caleb Ralph when he was in his pomp.

I love speed I’ve always played full-back, wing or very occasionally centre. I love getting the ball in a bit of space to run down the wing. My size and strength is a big part of my game and it’s important for a wing and a full-back to have big kick.

I’m looking to improve under the high ball Any young player making his way in the professional circuit will say their defence as there are so many things to think about, drifting, blitzing, tackling. It will come with practice.

It’s the little things that keeps me ticking over I like to surf down at Brighton, bit of back-yard cricket back in Canterbury on a nice summers day with the boys. Downtime is so important that I just want to chill-out, see family and take me away from rugby.

Winning! To win the Super 14 in my first year with Kade [Poki], Nasi [Manu] was my career highlight so far. And the Junior World Cups. I grew up in Waikato Chiefs county, but after school I got an offer from Canterbury and it just flowed on from there. It’s all happened quite fast.

It's like one big happy family These guys you’ve played with since school, so for four of us to be winning the Junior World Cup together was just awesome. To grow up and play representative rugby and then play for your country is the best thing you can ask for as a person and sportsman.

Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko I like to watch them because of their pace, dynamism and try-scoring ability.

I was the youngest on tour and had to look after it Some of the boys only just found out I can jam on the guitar, so when I went on tour to South Africa with the Crusaders, I learned a few chords, sat in my room and played heaps.

The plane journeys and all the long travel I hate it. The hot and cold weather isn’t too bad but after we won the Super 14 final on the Saturday, a few of us had to fly on the Sunday - a 28-hour flight - I wasn’t in the best shape and didn’t get much sleep at all.