🔗 Share this article Can the Scottish team at last break the All Blacks hoodoo? New Zealand implemented multiple changes to the side that overcame Ireland Autumn Nations Series: Scottish team versus All Blacks Where: Murrayfield Stadium, the Scottish capital Date: this weekend Kick-off: 15:10 GMT The past seemed less complicated. The fourth meeting of Scotland and New Zealand. A packed stadium, a 0-0 draw, January 1964. Celebration when the whistle blew. A pitch invasion to symbolize the historic accomplishment by Scotland. Having beaten three home nations, the All Blacks had finally been halted in a Test. The man from Pathe News was nearly overcome with excitement. "A game that no-one who saw it will ever forget," he announced excitedly with considerable hope. "Where Scottish rugby preserved British pride." Exiting the ground after the match, home supporters would have had hope for the future. Multiple efforts to defeat the All Blacks and no wins, but obvious indications that success might be imminent. A few seasons after, New Zealand beat the Scots. Half a decade later, history repeated itself. Three years further on, same story. Five more years went by and, indeed, you know the rest. Modern Encounters Twenty games since then later. Twenty consecutive New Zealand victories. Across New Zealand and beyond, Auckland to Cardiff - the landscapes have changed but not the outcomes. During his tenure, Gregor Townsend has ended losing runs in major European venues, but this challenge is different. This is 32 games across 120 years. Among rugby's most persistent curses. Team News Over the past seasons the landslide 20, 30 and 40-point wins have reduced to closer margins in recent encounters, but New Zealand consistently prevail. Through their brilliance, physical dominance, game management, they get the job done. As match day approaches where positive expectations that supporters maintained for Scottish success is probably beginning to fade. Optimism meets historical reality. Key Absences Recent updates revealed that Zander Fagerson hadn't made it. To Scottish ambitions it was a significant setback. The prop has been absent since spring, but he's exceptional and if available then the long gap without a game would not have been a massive concern. During modern rugby early in matches, Fagerson's engine keeps running. Unmatched playing time in the European championship. Squad Depth Another absence is Jones but his replacement is in excellent form with Northampton. There's no such quality replacing big Zander. While Rae is capable, his Test career consists of limited game time. Once Rae's shift ends, there's Elliot Millar-Mills to come on. While competent, evidence is lacking that he's All Black-beating class. Coaching Choices The coach has made unexpected selections, some logical, some curious. Steyn's tactical awareness replaces van der Merwe's physical approach. The back row has no recognisable truffle dog, with Darge among substitutes. There's no Andy Onyeama-Christie in the 23. Past Encounters Graham crossed the line in the 31-23 defeat to New Zealand in the previous encounter Against Ireland, the All Blacks secured the opening match of what they hope will be a Grand Slam tour. They took an age to get going, even when playing against 14 men, but their final surge secured victory. Combined with Irish vulnerabilities, their attack, their line-out and their scrum collapsing. Statistical Analysis Despite late-game surges, the last 20 minutes is not where the All Blacks do most of their damage. Across international matches recently, they've accumulated scores in opening periods and 60 in the second half. Strong opening performances, excellent second quarters, moderate third quarters and solid finishes. They start aggressively. What Scotland Needs Against Scotland in 2022, they struck twice in the initial stages. Establishing early dominance, the game looked done. Scotland fought back impressively to hit them with 23 unanswered points. The clear message is that, figuratively speaking, Scotland must put the boot on the throat from kickoff - and keep it there. Over the last decade, successful opponents have needed to score in the upper twenties. Scotland have got into the 20s only twice in their past 13 games against the All Blacks. Conclusion Perfect execution is required for Scotland. Everything. Wasted opportunities then hopes fade. A yellow card? Repeated infringements? Set-piece struggles? It's over. With perfect execution? Explosive start. Vocal support. Electric atmosphere. Clinical finishing. Finn Russell's magic. Graham being Graham. Optimistic thinking, maybe. We haven't seen an 80 minutes from the Scottish team that would be sufficient against New Zealand. If the capability exists, now is the moment; 120 years is enough of a wait.