Preview: Scotland vs New Zealand

After overcoming a strong English challenge last weekend, The All Blacks will look to build on that result with a win over Scotland. As for Scotland they also come into this game on the back off a win after defeating Argentina in a high scoring affair with Vern Cotter securing his first win at Murrayfield.

The record books do not bode well for Scotland with the Scots still looking for their first ever win in 107 years of matches against the All Blacks. These two sides have met each other 29 times with New Zealand winning 27 of those and both sides drawing two of them. The last time these two sides met was at Murrayfield 2012 when New Zealand hammering Scotland 51-22.

In team news Vern Cotter names an unchanged side that defeated the Puma’s last Saturday with the Gray brothers continuing in the second row after both picked up tries last weekend and in the backline the Glasgow Warriors backline continues to shine with Gloucester man Laidlaw starting at 9 after his Man of the match performance last weekend.

As for New Zealand they make a host of changes from their game against England, with Steve Hansen making 13 changes in total with  Ben Smith and captain Richie McCaw the only survivors from Twickenham. At Flyhalf Dan Carter starts for the All Blacks for the first time in almost a year after a six month sabbatical and as well as recovering from a broken leg. In the forwards Dominic Bird is at second row in only his second test for the  Kiwi’s and Richie McCaw starts at openside Flanker for the first time for the All Blacks with Sam Cane starting at blindside.

After another win to the start of Vern Cotter’s reign as Scotland headcoach last weekend, The former Clermont coach and New Zealand native will be hoping his side put in a strong performance against this New Zealand side missing a lot of their first choice players. However with the talent and depth of this All Blacks squad you will still expect them to come away with a win from Murrayfield and secure their second win of the Autumn Internationals.