Preview: Scotland v New Zealand
A settled and confident Scotland side will be aiming for their first-ever win against the All Blacks when they meet at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The hosts are coming off a convincing 41-31 victory over Argentina, which saw them score five tries before letting the South Americans back into the game in the last 20 minutes.
As a result, coach Vern Cotter has named an unchanged starting line-up for their duel with the world's best team as they look to make history by causing what would be a massive upset.
"We showed last weekend that we're developing an attack than can cause opposition teams problems," said Cotter, a New Zealander who is a former Crusaders assistant coach.
"If we can force the All Blacks into making errors then we can give ourselves a chance," he added.
By contrast the All Blacks team is very different to the side that beat England at Twickenham last week, with coach Steve Hansen taking a look at a few different options.
Despite the wholesale changes, Hansen has made it clear that he does not expect standards to drop at all, and with many of the starters eager to put themselves in the frame for an extended run in the team there will certainly be no lack of motivation to perform.
Hansen has dismissed the suggestion that his team selection (which has captain Richie McCaw at blindside flanker for the first time, third choice flyhalf Colin Slade on the wing and Ben Smith switched from the wing to fullback) indicates that the All Blacks are treating Scotland lightly.
"We're taking Scotland very seriously," Hansen insisted. "We think it's a losable game if we don't compete well and get our feet on the floor quickly.
"We've got a lot of respect for Scotland rugby but we've got our own plans and our own agendas that we've got to live by.
"I think people are totally misreading the situation if they think we are not respecting them," he said.
Players to watch:
For Scotland: Fullback Stuart Hogg is an exciting runner, and if he combines with New Zealand born wing Sean Maitland the pair have the potential to hurt the All Blacks. Skipper Greg Laidlaw will pull the strings behind the forwards and up front much will be expected of the Gray brothers who both got on the scoresheet in their first Test together last week. Tighthead prop Euan Murray is a formidable scrummager and will have to set the tone up front if Scotland are to take the All Blacks on.
For New Zealand: Ben Smith gets a chance to shine in his preferred position of fullback, although there is no such luxury for Colin Slade who finds himself on the wing. The midfield pair of Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa will both be desperate to make an impression outside Dan Carter who starts in his first Test this year. His halfback partner TJ Perenara has an opportunity to show he can cut it at Test level and there are some interesting selections in the forward pack as well. Captain Richie McCaw finds himself in the unfamiliar role of blindside flank, with Sam Cane given an opportunity at openside. Both locks Dominic Bird and Jeremy Thrush will want to make a big impression as will the fairly inexperienced props and hooker James Parsons on debut.
Head to head: Stuart Hogg and Ben Smith are both devastating runner from the back, and at flyhalf there is the Test centurion Dan Carter up against rookie Finn Russell. The tables are turned at sctumhalf however with the seasoned Greg Laidlaw up against TJ Perenara. Scottish openside Blair Cowan has his work cut out at the breakdown against both Sam Cane and Richie McCaw, whilst Euan Murray should prove a fierce test of Joe Moody's credentials at scrum-time.
Previous results:
2012: New Zealand won 51-22 in Edinburgh
2010: New Zealand won 49-3 in Edinburgh
2008: New Zealand won 32-6 in Edinburgh
2007: New Zealand won 40-0 in Edinburgh
2005: New Zealand won 29-10 in Edinburgh
2001: New Zealand won 37-6 in Edinburgh
2000: New Zealand won 48-14 in Auckland
2000: New Zealand won 69-20 in Dunedin
Prediction: Scotland will not lack for passion and will throw everything at the All Blacks, but the visitors should be able to do enough to secure a win by about 10 points.
Teams:
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Adam Ashe, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Dave Denton, 20 Johnnie Beattie, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Sean Lamont.
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Colin Slade, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Dan Carter, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Sonny Bill Williams, 23 Julian Savea.
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 17.30 (17.30 GMT; 06.30, Sunday November 16 NZ time)
Expected weather: Partly cloudy and cold. Slight breeze, high of 10
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
