Matthias Schosser will miss Aberdeen Grammar’s trip to Hamilton tomorrow – as he is trying to secure Germany’s first World Cup place.
The prop jetted out to Heidelberg yesterday for a training camp with the German national side, ahead of the World Cup repechage tournament in France.
Germany will compete with Hong Kong, Canada and Kenya for a spot in Japan next year for the World Cup. They open up against Hong Kong on November 11, face Canada on November 17 and Kenya on November 23.
Schosser was born in Germany but moved to New Zealand at the age of three and achieving a World Cup place would fulfil a dream.
He said: “It would mean a lot. It’s always something I wanted to play in; I didn’t think it would be for Germany but it would make my family proud, my dad Jurgen in particular. He’s always wanted it.
“I try go see my dad’s side of the family when I can. I get to see them after games and stay with them. They don’t really know what rugby is about but they are slowly learning.
“We’ve definitely got a chance of qualifying. We are stronger than we were before. I’ve never played Hong Kong or Kenya but Canada will be tough, as they’ve been to a World Cup.”
The Germans will play a warm-up match this Saturday against Portugal before heading out to France. Schosser made his debut in February 2015 against Georgia and has made seven appearances. They play in the European Nations Cup and are ranked 29th in the world.
Rugby in Germany dates back before the second World War and despite existing in a football-dominated country of 80 million people, investment in the sport has sparked a growth in popularity.
The Wild Rugby Academy in Heidelberg, backed to the tune of 30 million euros by the owner of the Capri-Sun drinks company Dr Hans-Peter Wild, has seen a youth structure implemented and first-teamers visiting schools to promote the sport.
Schosser added: “We’re trying to spread rugby around Germany. It’s not always easy to get time off work to make training camps and games, but Grammar are always very happy for me to go and play.”
