All Blacks v Scotland: Scotland’s bid to end 32-test winless streak against All Blacks

Scotland hope the memory of an agonising 2022 loss to New Zealand can inspire them to a first win over the All Blacks in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Rugby union superpower New Zealand have won 30 of the 32 tests between the two countries spanning 117 years, with Scotland’s best results in that time against the All Blacks two Murrayfield draws - 0-0 in 1964 and a 25-25 thriller in 1983.

But it looked like Scotland were about to end one of the longest winless streaks in world sport when they led 23-14 going into the last quarter of their most recent meeting three years ago, only for New Zealand to prevail 31-23.

“I think a lot of growth and learning will be around how we stay on track, how we build on leads when we have them like that,” Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel said today.

“I suppose the mental toughness side of it - how we can make sure, if we get back in that position with 20 minutes to go on the clock, that we can see it home.”

The All Blacks will arrive in Edinburgh after a hard-fought 26-13 win over Ireland in Chicago last weekend, with injuries to Scott and Jordie Barrett set to deprive them of two key players against the Scots.

By contrast, Scotland started their Autumn campaign with an 85-0 rout of the United States, a second-tier rugby nation, at Murrayfield.

“I think there’s been a huge stigma with the All Blacks in the past and a lot of teams have built that up,” added Dalziel.

“We’re really trying to focus on ourselves, on the game and what we build, and that’s really been the approach this campaign, so we’ll keep it that way.”

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, who played club rugby in Scotland as a 19-year-old, said the squad have full respect for the No 8 ranked side.

“We’re well aware of it and we’re proud of it. We know how big the occasion is this weekend and we’ve canvased it with the boys to make sure we’re all aware,” Robertson said.

“There have been a hell of a few games, the last two, they’ve come down to the wire. Full respect, we’re coming up against a Scotland team with eight [British and Irish] Lions in it, some generational players there. It’s going to be a game for the ages.

“We’ll pick the strongest team we expect for a physical test match,” he added.

- With NZ Herald