Those who have witnessed the 22-year-old New Zealander in URC action for the Scarlets this season hope he can bring his explosive style to international rugby. Murray, who qualifies for Wales through his mother, is one of two uncapped players named in Warren Gatland’s squad - along with Gloucester lock Freddie Thomas - and offers fresh energy and raw talent on the wing.
He will be looking to follow in the footsteps of another Scarlet-Kiwi back, Hadleigh Parkes, who proved to be a hugely influential player for Warren Gatland. Parkes' time in Wales culminated in a remarkable swansong in 2019 that saw the nation claim a Grand Slam, reach number one in the world, and narrowly lose to eventual champions South Africa in the World Cup semi-final.
Murray’s journey to this point has been unconventional, to say the least. Born and raised in New Zealand, he came through the ranks playing for Canterbury at age-grade level before breaking into the senior provincial team. However, it was his Welsh heritage that opened the door to European rugby, and his move to Scarlets in 2023 gave him the opportunity to chase international honours for Wales.
Kiwi roots and Welsh heritage
In cautious tones, Murray has been compared to legendary All Blacks fullback Christian Cullen, due to his flair and attacking instincts. That comparison arose after he made headlines in 2019 with a spectacular try for St Bede’s College in New Zealand, where he sliced through multiple defenders to score a solo effort that was dubbed “Cullen-esque” by many media outlets. While he had a promising future in New Zealand rugby, Murray opted to explore opportunities in Wales. His connection to the country through his mother, a proud Welshwoman, allowed him to seize the chance to represent her homeland. When speaking about his choice, Murray revealed it was a desire to “honour his mother” by playing for Wales, a path made smoother by Scarlets, a traditionally attack-focused side who quickly saw his potential .
A rising star of Welsh Rugby
Murray’s time at Scarlets has solidified his reputation as an emerging star. Signed in the summer of 2023, he was quick to impress head coach Dwayne Peel, with his pace and attacking mindset making him a constant threat on the wing. "He’s a player who can break a game open with his speed and vision," Peel remarked, highlighting Murray’s natural ability to change the course of matches with a moment of brilliance.
His standout performances at regional level earned him the call from Gatland, who has been eager to inject fresh talent into the Welsh backline as the team rebuilds following a challenging year. With key fixtures against Fiji, Australia and South Africa - all live on TNT Sports - coming up, Murray will likely be handed his debut in one of the most high-profile rugby environments .
What Murray brings to the table
Murray’s playing style is characterised by his electric pace, agility, and the ability to find gaps in defences. That's the sexy stuff, but he's also proved his prowess in defence - most recently with a marvellous try-saving tackle against Cardiff. Although a relatively small 5′ 8″ - height being no hindrance for many of the game's biggest stars today - he combines physicality with a deceptive change of direction, often catching defenders off guard. At Scarlets, he has worked on developing his tactical awareness, complementing his natural attacking instincts with improved defensive work and decision-making.
What sets Murray apart is his unpredictability and his enthusiasm for taking on defenders one-on-one, and his time in New Zealand’s provincial rugby has given him the confidence to exploit space in broken play. At only 22, he is still refining his game, but his raw potential makes him an exciting prospect for Wales as they look to rejuvenate their squad ahead of this year's Autumn Nations Series and next year's Guinness Men's Six Nations.
Murray’s inclusion in the Autumn Nations Series is the first step in what could be a long and successful international career. With his eyes set on making his debut in front of the passionate Principality Stadium crowd, the young winger has a chance to showcase his skills on the biggest stage. Can he be the game-changer that Warren Gatland and Wales need?
