International Rugby preview: Scotland look to cause massive upset against the All Blacks
Scotland will face New Zealand in front of an expectant crowd at Murrayfield on Saturday 13 November.
The Scots will approach the game with confidence, which is an unfamiliar position for the team to be in.
They face the most daunting of tasks in continuing their four-match unbeaten run against the All Blacks.
The Scots recorded a draw against England in the Six Nations and backed this up with a win against Ireland in Dublin to deny them the Triple Crown. Their good form continued during the summer as they beat
Argentina twice.
Scotland has five changes to the team that defeated Argentina 9-13 on their summer tour.
Mike Blair comes back into the team and he will captain the side in the absence of injured captain Alastair Kellock.
Lock Richie Gray replaces Kellock, while Richie Vernon comes into the back-row to replace the injured Johnnie Beattie.
Euan Murray is the third change to the forward pack and the British and Irish Lions prop is selected instead of Moray Low.
On the wing Rory Lamont gets a chance to impress Scotland coach Andy Robinson as he fills in for the injured Ulster back Simon Danielli.
Greig Laidlaw is called up to the bench to replace Rory Lawson and if he comes on the player will make his debut against the All Blacks.
New Zealand have made four changes to the team that defeated England 16-26 at Twickenham on Saturday 6 November.
However, Hickawera Elliot may be the fifth change and the hooker could make his debut if Keven Mealamu’s appeal is not successful, after he was banned for the remaining matches of the Autumn Internationals
for head-butting England captain Lewis Moody.
Liam Messum comes into the New Zealand side and replaces flanker Jerome Kaino at the blind side. Scrum-half Jimmy Cowan will start instead of Alby Mathewson while Isaia Toeava gets his chance on the wing
at the expense of Joe Rokocoko who was disappointing in the England Test.
The most surprising change is at centre, where Conrad Smith will form a new partnership with rugby league convert Sonny Bill Williams. As a result, Ma’a Nonu drops out of the first team.
New Zealand are under pressure to deliver and put in a convincing performance after their 26-24 defeat to Australia in the Bledisloe Cup and their second half display against England.
Out-half Dan Carter will be the team’s key man and he won the man-of -the-match award against England. Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina will win their record equalling 92 caps to join legend Sean Fitzpatrick
as the most capped All Black players.
With so much talent New Zealand should win convincingly, but Scotland will be confident as they aim to extend their four game unbeaten run.
Another big performance by the world’s best out-half Dan Carter is expected. With quality backs and strong forwards New Zealand should over power Scotland and continue their quest for a Grand Slam against
the home nations ahead of the World Cup.
Scotland will hope their home support and passion will be enough to pull off a shock result against the All Blacks. A Scottish victory would go down in history as one of their best ever results.
Prediction: Scotland 9 New Zealand 34
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