'We can do that': Scotland target maiden win over All Blacks
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Scott Cummings believes Scotland are capable of ending their long wait for a first win over the All Blacks when they face New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday following an agonising defeat last year.
The Scots have never beaten New Zealand in 33 attempts since an inaugural encounter in 1905, with their best results in 33 Tests against the rugby union superpower two draws – in 1964 and 1983.
They looked like they might break that hoodoo during last year’s corresponding November clash in Edinburgh when they came back from 17-0 down to draw level at 17-17 heading into the final quarter.
The All Blacks eventually won 25-17 thanks to a late try from Damian McKenzie.
#SPOTLIGHT: “We tidied up a couple of areas around our maul D”
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But Scotland lock Cummings feels the manner of that loss will give Gregor Townsend’s men “loads” of self-belief in their opening match of the European leg of the Nations Championship, although they cannot afford a repeat of that slow start.
“It’s obviously an exciting occasion getting to play the All Blacks,” said Cummings. “The build-up probably feels a bit different this time because the last couple of times, we’ve played them it’s been three or four years [since the previous meeting] but we got to play them last year, so we know what to expect from them.
“Obviously they’re a quality outfit and we know we need to be at our best on the day to beat them. I believe we can do that.
“The way that we started that game a year ago probably wasn’t our best rugby in the first half. We obviously showed a lot more of it and how we want to play in the second half. So, to beat them it’ll take the 80-minute performance.”
Cummings, 29, played under the current All Blacks coach Dave Rennie when he was in charge of Glasgow between 2017 and 2020.
“He’s a real quality coach,” said Cummings, a 2025 British and Irish Lions tourist. “He had a massive focus on attacking rugby and that fitted with how we played at Glasgow.
“I really enjoyed my time with him and I’m happy to see he’s gone on to higher honours. He’ll know some of our players, we’ll know some things about him, but a lot has changed, the game has changed a bit since he was coaching us.
“But it’ll be exciting to see him and play against his team.”
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