Tim Visser tells skysports.com why he is philosophical about missing the World Cup.
Visser philosophical about missing the World Cup
While a number of his team-mates are hoping to secure a place on the Scotland plane to the World Cup, Tim Visser has been left to focus on continuing his tremendous domestic form.
The 24-year-old would have been a shoo-in for the Scotland squad after two stellar campaigns for Edinburgh, however the tournament has come 12 months too soon.
Visser does not qualify for Andy Robinson's side until 2012, with the Holland-born winger needing to have spent three years in the country before he can play for them under IRB rules.
It is a blow to both player and country. Visser moved to the Scottish capital from Newcastle in 2009 and went on to top the Magners League try-scoring charts with 10 tries in his debut season.
Visser then went on to prove he was no one-season wonder by breaking the league's try-scoring record with 14 tries - and a series of impressive displays.
And to top things off, he highlighted his international class with two tries for the Barbarians against England at Twickenham in May. The first showed his power and lightning pace, whereas the second - and winning try in the 38-32 victory - underlined his finishing prowess as he came off his wing and popped up at the right time to take the scoring pass off Joe van Niekerk.
But despite missing out on the World Cup Visser, whose dad captained the Netherlands team, remains philosophical about the situation.
Memorable
"It has been a great season for me," he told
skysports.com. "To finish as the top try-scorer for the second year, and to break the Magners League try-scoring record was memorable, but to go out and score for the Barbarians was a dream come true.
"In some respects it is an opportunity missed for me but on the other hand I am not Scottish so I don't have a god-given right to be in the side. Like any other foreign player, I have to serve my time and qualify.
"It is just the way it goes but, to be honest, who knows if I would have even made it with the other wingers in the squad.
"There's lots of ifs and buts so all I can do is concentrate on Edinburgh and doing well for the club. That is where my focus is for now.
"The Barbarians, though, gave me a good taste of international rugby - it was effectively my international debut - and it is a taste I like and want more of."
It is no surprise Scotland are monitoring the progress of Visser, particularly as head coach Robinson was the man who brought him north of the border during his reign in charge at Edinburgh.
And Visser admits he has remained in touch with his former boss.
"I am in regular contact with Robinson and he talks to me about where I need to improve my game," he said.
"He is of the same mindset, though, that I have to concentrate on Edinburgh.
Confidence
"There is nothing else I can do as I am not qualified for Scotland, so selection is not an issue."
Visser made the move to Edinburgh, having initially been brought to the UK by the Falcons.
Visser had been spotted playing in his homeland, with Newcastle's John Fletcher recognising his potential and inviting him to join their academy.
However, despite a few highs, Visser struggled for regular game time - and spent time out on loan at Darlington, Mowden Park and Northampton.
And he admits the move away has done him a power of good after struggling to make an impression on Newcastle's then boss Steve Bates.
"The move to Edinburgh was the next step in my career. I was looking to play regular rugby and to fulfil my potential," he said.
"Under John Fletcher I was given the confidence to play on the wing, having been a 19-year-old back row. But he was academy coach when I signed for Newcastle from Holland.
"I don't think I was backed by Steve Bates and I don't feel I was given the opportunities to play regularly. I found it difficult starting on the bench.
"On the other hand, I don't think I really made the most of my chances when they came along, but it was hard and had I been given the confidence and regular games it could have been different."
Newcastle's loss was ultimately Edinburgh's - and potentially Scotland's - gain. And Visser has set his sights on continuing to improve.
"Personally I want to keep growing and, like most players, I want to be more consistent," he said. "And as a team we want to get back the form of three years ago where we finished second."
