Maitland has made just two appearances in the RaboDirect PRO12 - both in the recent 1872 Cup - which demonstrates how highly he is thought of by Glasgow Warriors.
With pace to burn, Maitland ran in tries for fun in Super Rugby for the Crusaders but he was persuaded to swap Christchurch for Glasgow - the city of his grandparents' birth - by former All Black and ex-Edinburgh coach Todd Blackadder.
Maitland, whose cousin is Australia fly-half Quade Cooper, won the Junior World Championship with New Zealand in 2008 but could be turning out for Scotland sooner rather than later.
If you're looking for a wildcard Lions pick to come straight out of left field, 24-year-old Maitland could be the man if he shows what he can do in the second half of the RaboDirect PRO12 season.
Robert Barbieri - Treviso
Already well-known to Treviso fans, Canadian-born flanker Barbieri has shown a remarkable knack for crossing the try-line so far this season. An injury suffered on international duty kept him out of action for most of December, but now fit again Barbieri will be looking to get back into the form which saw him rack up six tries in just four matches at the end of September.
With Treviso needing to string a few results together to get back into play-off contention, expect Barbieri to play a major role for Franco Smith's men, as well as Italy when the Six Nations gets underway.
JJ Hanrahan - Munster
Another schooled at Rockwell College, JJ Hanrahan announced himself to the RaboDirect PRO12 in fine style, running in two tries in a man-of-the-match display in his first start against Zebre back in October.
Appearances off the bench have followed for the 20-year-old, who is equally at home at fly-half or centre, Hanrahan first major ripple in international circles came at the 2012 JWC where he played an integral role in Ireland's shock victory over hosts South Africa.
As a result he was nominated for the IRB Junior Player of the Year Award and looks set to play a leading role in the changing of the guard at both Munster and Ireland in the coming years.
Michael Bent - Leinster
Bent made only his third RaboDirect PRO12 appearance for the Leinster at the weekend but already it's plain to see why Declan Kidney drafted him into the Ireland squad while the engine on his jet from New Zealand was still warm.
A Kiwi prop who is happy on either side of the scrum, Bent received his scrummaging education at Hawera High School before spending two years at the Hurricanes and then arriving at Leinster in October.
On the international stage he acquitted himself impressively against South Africa and Argentina and if Leinster are to make a surge up the RaboDirect PRO12 table in the New Year, Bent will be the driving force.
James King - Ospreys
Rewarded with a three-year contract for a string of fine recent displays including playing 160 minutes in the Heineken Cup double header with Toulouse, 22-year-old King has been one of the stand-out performers in the RaboDirect PRO12 this year.
Able to play anywhere in the back five of the scrum, King's athleticism sets him apart and appears to be the next Welsh back row forward off the conveyor belt after Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric.
If he maintains his form in the New Year then international honours seem an inevitability but who for? King is eligible to play for Wales, England and Australia and could be taking his pick in the near future.
Rhys Patchell - Blues
At first glance Patchell looks eight stone wet through but the Blues fly-half has demonstrated he can handle himself in the RaboDirect PRO12.
Already touted as a future international, especially in the prolonged absence of Rhys Priestland, Patchell has been among the few shining lights for Cardiff Blues so far this term.
Against the Dragons in September he was named man-of-the-match in just his second appearance for the region and against the same opposition on Boxing Day, he produced a nerveless display to boot the Blues back to winning ways at a near capacity Cardiff Arms Park.
Patchell has played plenty of his junior career at full-back but his game management at just 19 ensures he's set for an illustrious future in blue, and possibly red, in the No.10 jersey.
63x46.png){kind=logo}