{"id":1099529,"date":"2026-07-19T23:37:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T23:37:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1099529\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T23:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T23:37:12","slug":"seb-stephen-reflects-on-journey-from-new-zealand-uni-rugby-to-scotland-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1099529\/","title":{"rendered":"Seb Stephen reflects on journey from New Zealand uni rugby to Scotland debut"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 20-year-old \u2013 who became Scotland player #1240 when he came on in Saturday\u2019s win over Fiji<\/a> \u2013 admits he would happily have stayed in New Zealand had fate not intervened to alter his path.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was originally going to stay out there,\u201d he revealed. \u201cI didn\u2019t have a time to come back so I was just enjoying playing out there. And then I got a call from Kenny Murray<\/strong> [the former Scotland under-20s head coach] to come back because Elliot Young,<\/strong> one of the hookers, had got a shoulder injury. So I came back for the Junior World Trophy. After that, I was a player of national interest.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe there might have been a different way that I could have got called back. But the way I think about it is if I didn\u2019t come back for the Junior World Trophy I wouldn\u2019t have gone into the academy. And then I wouldn\u2019t have played 20s again in the Six Nations and I might not have been in Franco [Smith\u2019<\/strong>s] eye line to get called into Glasgow. And then I might not be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen recalls sitting in the Murrayfield stand as a supporter watching Scotland take on the Springboks less than two years ago, wishing for nothing more than to emulate those out there in blue. Now many of them are his club and international team-mates.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was saying to the boys in the changing room that I remember being here in 2024 sitting across the other side of the pitch with my dad and my brothers, watching Scotland play South Africa and I thought, \u2018That\u2019s all I want to ever do\u2019. From being at the Junior Academy a year ago at Edinburgh [Accies] then coming through to Glasgow, never on my radar did I see this opportunity so it has been amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen admits his route to international rugby has been unconventional having not been immediately picked up at academy level after leaving school. The Aberdonian added: \u201cI don\u2019t know if it was a mixed communication but I didn\u2019t really get anything offered after playing [Scotland] under-18s in Dublin. So, I kind of thought I didn\u2019t really have anything to be waiting around for, and I wanted a different experience. So, that\u2019s why I went out to New Zealand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I was slightly egged on by my mum and dad because they just thought, \u2018what a time to have that experience in your life\u2019. I had my 18th birthday out there which is pretty rogue to do, I suppose. But it was a good experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen\u2019s emergence for Warriors \u2013 where he was awarded his first professional contract in April this year \u2013 comes during a fruitful time for young hookers, with Gregor Hiddleston<\/strong>, who made his first Scotland start on Saturday, and under-20s captain Joe Roberts<\/strong> also rising to prominence.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s a great guy,\u201d added Stephen. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve played with him all through under-20s. So yeah, me and him get on very well. There are a lot of good hookers in Scotland so I think I\u2019ll have to do a good job to stay in [the Scotland squad]. But I think that\u2019s just through playing for Glasgow and playing well for Glasgow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen\u2019s big moment at Murrayfield arrived in the second half, although for a while it looked like it was going to be even earlier. \u201cI originally thought I was going to get on at about 37 minutes because Gregor went off for a blood replacement. I said I couldn\u2019t see anything on his face so I didn\u2019t really know what was wrong with him as he was running into the tunnel! But he got a two-inch gash on his face which they stitched up at half-time. I was happy to get on nonetheless and to even get 15 minutes was amazing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI probably had about nine of my family in the changing room so it was a bit cramped. And then more friends and family as well in the stands. It was great that I had their support. I could see my mum and dad while I was going up to get my cap. And to have them there\u2026 I feel like everything they\u2019ve done for me has been amazing. So, yeah, it was very special.\u201d<\/p>\n

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