Murray took Halfpenny advice before Scarlets signing
Blair Murray has identified Leigh Halfpenny and Ben Smith as two players he admired growing up
- Published
New Scarlets signing Blair Murray says former Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny made his decision easier to join the Welsh side.
Welsh-qualified back Murray has arrived in Llanelli from New Zealand and is set to start the new season in the opening United Rugby Championship match against Benetton on Friday.
Murray had trained with Halfpenny at Super Rugby side Crusaders last season and sought the advice of the former Scarlets full-back before moving.
"I had a couple of chats with him and he made my decision a lot easier to be honest," said Murray.
"He was saying how I was going to love it. He said the Scarlets as an organisation as a whole are awesome, the coaching staff, management, players and even the fans.
"He basically had nothing bad to say about them which made it a lot easier for me."
Murray came through the Crusaders academy and played for Canterbury in the domestic competition before arriving in Wales.
"I was doing pre-season with the Crusaders, they had a couple of injuries and I thought I may have been able to get a crack there but unfortunately it didn't quite work out that way," said Murray.
"When I didn't get my go with the Crusaders, I thought about something new. I was lucky enough to pick up a gig over at the Scarlets.
"Basically I had expressed an interest in coming over here and said I was Welsh-qualified. One thing led to another."
Wales ambitions
Scarlets team-mates Blair Murray and Taine Plumtree are also house-mates
Murray outlined what sort of player Scarlets would be getting.
"My point of difference is definitely not my size, I'd say it's speed and agility," said Murray.
"My favourite position is full-back. At the moment my main opportunity is on the wing and I'll take what I can get."
Murray qualifies for Wales through his mother who is from Tonyrefail but moved to New Zealand after meeting his father.
"Growing up I was very much aware of the Welsh family roots," said Murray.
"I've always had that in mind and my mum ensured I never forgot it."
Murray is living with Wales flanker Taine Plumtree, who also spent a large part of his childhood in New Zealand.
"I'd love to do something similar to Taine," said Murray.
"One of the main reasons I came over here was to try to make the Wales squad.
"In the meantime, I want to make the most of being at the Scarlets and taking my opportunity there."