Match Thread - Scotland v New Zealand 15/11/2014 17:30 BBC 2

skippymac6

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greg Laidlaw (c), 8 Adam Ashe, 7 Blair Cowen 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 Tim Swinson, 20 Johnnie Beattie, 21 Chris Cussiter , 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 (c), 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
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Scotland will be looking to build on their impressive win against Argentina last week as they host the mighty All Blacks. They ran out impressive 41-31 winners despite the Argies going in for two meaningless scores in garbage time. There was an air of invention about the Scotland team typified by young out half Finn Russell's willingness to run the ball as opposed to hoisting Garryowen after Garryowen and also a welcomed sight was the ability of Scotland to finish off tries as opposed to settling for three points (or less) more often than not. They will need to showcase all of the above this week as the All Blacks will not be as naive as their Southern Hemisphere counterparts were in and around the ruck and you can be assured that Greg Laidlaw, so impressive in this new gameplan, will not be afforded the same level of space that he was granted last Saturday.

Incredibly there will be 13 personnel changes to the All Blacks team that outlasted England last week with iron man Richie McCaw in the forwards and Ben Smith in the backs the only players to double up from last weekend. McCaw will not be wearing the same jersey as he did last week as he shifts across to the blindside to allow Sam Cane a rare start. It just shows the worth and durability of the man as surely with Jerome Kaino and Liam Messam in the travelling party, he could have been rested ahead of the Welsh showdown. James Parsons makes his debut in the famous black jersey as he starts in the front row alongside try scorer Charlie Faumuina and up and coming loosehead Joe Moody. Dominic Bird will add to his solitary cap, partnering the Wellington captain Jeremy Thrush in the engine room and Victor Vito is alongside Cane and McCaw in the backrow.

In the backs there is an eyebrow raising inclusion for Colin Slade on the wing. The man who broke the hearts of the Aussie faithful in Bledisloe 3 with his last play conversion, is rewarded for his perseverance and he'll look to come in off his wing and get involved as a receiver off second or third phase. Look for himself and Ben Smith to rotate occasionally as even though Slade has played winger before, Smith is much more assured in that role. However, the main talking point in the backs is the inclusion of fit again Dan Carter. He hasn't been sighted all that regularly since his 100th cap last November against England and it is a welcomed sight to see him line out again. Hopefully he can stay injury free right up until the world cup next year (well maybe only to the group stages if Ireland have to face them in the quarters ). He will have a distributing 12 outside him in Ryan Crotty who must be cursing his luck with the emergence of Malakai Feikitoa and the decision of Sonny Bill Williams choosing to excel at this form of rugby for the forseeable future. Ben Smith moves across to his more favoured position of full back and Charles Piutau takes his place on the left flank.

Like the Irish national team, Scottish rugby has been buoyed by another Kiwi that comes across from Clermont, as Vern Cotter has added some inventiveness in an otherwise stale Scotland attack. There were 3 wins from 4 in the summer tour with the only loss coming to the 'Boks at the end of a long season. It was heartening to see such a crowd at the first home game for the new regime last week and you can be sure that the tickets will be much sought after this week with the All Blacks coming to town. Greg Laidlaw, the Scottish skipper, led from the front last week terrorising the Argentinian defence time and again and he directly set up two tries for his outside backs from clean breaks. Stuart Hogg seems to be finally delivering on his unquestioned potential and he seems a man at ease with his game at the minute. He is a genuine game breaker and he will have to be at his skillful best this week to find any chinks in the much vaunted New Zealand defensive line. The inclusion of 6 Glasgow backs last week paid dividends as their was a greater intent on keeping the ball alive and playing with pace, but it will be a different kettle of fish this week.

In the pack, Ross Ford led from the front last week with good set piece ball and some rampaging runs in the loose. The Gray brothers became the 22nd set of brothers to represent Scotland at national level and both crossed the whitewash due to considerable help to dummies that they threw to "fix" the Argie defence close to their line. However, I'm sure Jonny got a bit of an earful for the second dummy he threw after Ross Ford put him thrinto open space in the first half. Fully 30 metres out he tried to fake the Argie's last line of defence when a simple pass would have put a supporting man in for a certain try! I doubt he lived that one down on the training paddock or especially, the video room this week!

If the Scots are to be competitive this Saturday then surely they will have to slow New Zealand's ruck ball. Rob Harley, who seems to have Alan Quinlan's uncanny knack of getting under the opposition's skin, will be key in this area as will the work at the breakdown of Blair Cowan. Adam Ashe so impressive for one so young, will be tested to the nth of his ability this week when he will be charged with getting over the gainline against the toughest opposition that he's faced in his young career. The Scots will be heartened with the fact that the New Zealanders started so slowly against the English and they could have found themselves further than 10-0 behind in that opening salvo. The first twenty minutes will really set the tone for this one as, if the Scots can frustrate their guests, then maybe we could be in for an exciting game. However, if the All Blacks cut loose early on, it could spell a long evening for the Scottish faithful.

Prediction: As the odds suggest, the All Blacks are very much expected to dispatch the Scots with the minimum of fuss. However the Scots will be buoyed by the performance of Ireland last year and will hope to at least keep the All Blacks in their sights for most of the game. With Glasgow's emergence as a genuine threat in both the Pro12 and European Cup, they will be confident of putting it up to the world champions but that might be it. In years past, The Scottish fans would be doing rain dances in the lead up to a game like this, but with so much emphasis on playing with width and adventure that you feel that this might not suit this particular Scottish team. Of course New Zealand thrive in that open rugby game so Cotter may have to rein in that particular plan this week. With the Gray brothers as secure lineout options and Euan Murray expected to give Joe Moody a tough time at scrum time, Scotland will be hopeful that their set piece will function well. This will absolutely have to happen as without parity, or even a bit greater at set piece time, the hosts will be asking for trouble. I'd expect Scotland to gallantly put it up to NZ for the first 55-60 minutes before the likes of Sonny Bill and Savea come on and punish a Scottish team that could be chasing the game at that stage. New Zealand by 27.

thomond2006

That's an unfamiliar NZ front five.

corny

Reckon the Scots will get quite close to this NZ side. They probably won't win but are well worth a bet on the handicap (+21) imo.

thomond2006

skippymac6 wrote: »

I'd expect Scotland to gallantly put it up to NZ for the first 55-60 minutes before the likes of Sonny Bill and Savea come on and punish a Scottish team that could be chasing the game at that stage. New Zealand by 27.

The prospect of those two coming on for the last 20 is frightening!

Swiwi.

I really thought Scotland were wimps for conceding defeat and fielding a "B" team in 2007 - imagine if Schmidt had done the same last year - and as such I've tended to look down my nose at them, but hopefully with that Glasgow attacking mindset, and dare I say it, a New Zeland coach, hopefully they will play a more expansive game. They were a very good side in the late 80s/early 90s, but poor in recent times. Argentina's defence really was poor from what I saw last week, so I think the Scots were made to look better than they might turn out to be. They should really attack the inexperienced NZ front 5 and target Slade on the wing. I must say, if Slade has a good game, he might just be booking his ticket for 2015: his best chance is to be the ultimate bench player, as he is just not going to nail down a top 2 NZ flyhalf position. Likewise, Crotty and Fekitoa will want to go well, those midfield slots will be competitive.

I think the average points difference between these 2 sides in the professional area is about 30 points, so maybe your 27 points is spot on, but it seems a tad generous to me. Anyway, for the first time in ages I actually look forward to a match v the Scots, and from a neutral standpoint, a Scottish win would do wonders for the game there.

skippymac6

Swiwi. wrote: »

I really thought Scotland were wimps for conceding defeat and fielding a "B" team in 2007 - imagine if Schmidt had done the same last year - and as such I've tended to look down my nose at them, but hopefully with that Glasgow attacking mindset, and dare I say it, a New Zeland coach, hopefully they will play a more expansive game. They were a very good side in the late 80s/early 90s, but poor in recent times. Argentina's defence really was poor from what I saw last week, so I think the Scots were made to look better than they might turn out to be. They should really attack the inexperienced NZ front 5 and target Slade on the wing. I must say, if Slade has a good game, he might just be booking his ticket for 2015: his best chance is to be the ultimate bench player, as he is just not going to nail down a top 2 NZ flyhalf position. Likewise, Crotty and Fekitoa will want to go well, those midfield slots will be competitive.

I think the average points difference between these 2 sides in the professional area is about 30 points, so maybe your 27 points is spot on, but it seems a tad generous to me. Anyway, for the first time in ages I actually look forward to a match v the Scots, and from a neutral standpoint, a Scottish win would do wonders for the game there.

Yeah I always have a soft spot for Scotland and I do think they are in a better spot at the minute than they have been in a long time but I just feel that they always struggle to score against the better sides and I fancy New Zealand to look good with Carter pulling the strings.

Hagz

Scotland to win.

Yeah_Right

Hagz wrote: »

Scotland to win.

Are you drunk already?

Hagz

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Are you drunk already?

Already? Am I supposed to be getting drunk tonight?

Tox56

A Scottish win, or at least heroic defeat, is not completely out of the question. It is a complete B team from the All blacks, their 9 and and front 5 can be got at, and it's not like those weak areas are supported by a settled and experienced team elsewhere, although admittedly there's a huge amount of talent there. If Ireland were playing that team I'd certainly fancy our chances

Yeah_Right

Hagz wrote: »

Already? Am I supposed to be getting drunk tonight?

It's Friday before test matches. You need to get in some warm ups before the big game(s). Going in cold could be damaging and result in an early exit. Nothing too strenuous, just go through the moves, make sure the liver and the bladder are ready for a big afternoon and evening of test match rugby.

Also, making statements like "Scotland to win" suggest drunkeness or mental illness. I'm fine with both. I suffer from both. It's just the voices in my head aren't that insane

.ak

Hagz wrote: »

Already? Am I supposed to be getting drunk tonight?

Yes.

captbarnacles

Scotland to give NZ a fright. Yes I am drunk but I thought this sober too. I think.

Losty Dublin

Paddy Power's have it even money for a draw with Scotland +21.

More interesting are the odds for first try scorer; McCaw at 19/1 and Carter 20/1 but Alec Dunbar at 40/1!!! May be worth a shimmy if you like to bet.

Pudsy33

I jumped on the Scotts at that handicap. I think it'll be closer then expected.

Neil3030

Lol

thomond2006

Tommy Seymour has done very well for himself considering he was a squad player at Ulster.

collie0708

After last nights football if scotland win it will be the countries greatest weekend of sporting results in living memory...

molloyjh

I really, really don't like Justin Marshall.....

.ak

molloyjh wrote: »

I really, really don't like Justin Marshall.....

Ugh me too! Wrecks my head. Couldn't play rugby challenge with the volume up either.

Journeyman_1

What is up with the trend of not having anybody sing the anthems into a mic? Does this always happen in the AI's?

dodderangler

Now that's how you sing an anthem

pajor

My sister is in Murrayfield, has been sending me pictures.

I am jealous much.

macslash

Flower of Scotland is always class at Murrayfield!

Sangre

Hagz wrote: »

Already? Am I supposed to be getting drunk tonight?

Lol. I love the indecision, it's like you're not sure of yourself anymore and are waiting for further instructions.

dub_skav

I see they're doing the rubbish haka

Sangre

ffs, why does TV always make a balls of the haka lately, stop zooming in so much!

ktulu123

For some reason, I sense an upset. No idea why

Duckworth_Luas

collie0708 wrote: »

After last nights football if scotland win it will be the countries greatest weekend of sporting results in living memory...

Beating New Zealand B is a much bigger achievement than beating England B


:pac:

thomond2006

The Scotland jersey is...ugh

dastardly00

What was with the booing from the crowd?? Bad form.

Kiwi_knock

Get Stephen Donald on

Tox56

God even with all the changes their handling is so good

Kanrith

Terrible defending there.

dastardly00

That was pretty shocking defending from Scotland.

Kanrith

Wow Richie...

Dempsey

Shocking performance from NZ so far

Sangre

I think this is the most NZ errors I've seen...combined.

Bridge93

What was Russell thinking! Took forever.

Diabhal Beag

Playing music in the background of a TMO decision is the most disgusting thing to happen in rugby IMO

Awkward Badger

Held up/double movement surely. You can't take all day trying to get it down.

vkid

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Playing music in the background of a TMO decision is the most disgusting thing to happen in rugby IMO

Playing music during any stage of a game does my head in. Before, after or at half time is fine but anything else wrecks my head. No need for it

ItsChecoTime

Shocking atmosphere so far in this game

corny

The Scots make such poor decisions around the ruck. They get isolated so easily.

thomond2006

vkid wrote: »

Playing music during any stage of a game does my head in. Before, after or at half time is fine but anything else wrecks my head. No need for it

Thankfully the Aviva cut out the music during breaks in play. It was horrendous.

vienne86

Just started watching this.....thought it was Munster playing the all blacks....unfamiliar scottish kit!!!! NZ nowhere near their usual standard from what I've seen.

Tox56

Jonny gray with the most hilarious attempt at open field running I've ever seen. Pretty awful quality of game

awec

The in-goal area at Murrayfield is massive!

Swiwi.

Pretty rubbish performance by NZ so far. Scotland definitely in with a shot. The problem is I honestly don't think Scotland would know what to do with a lead heading into the last 10. Ah, I don't mind, much like Ireland v Georgia, if you don't give some of the fringe players a go, you'll never know. Vito has no luck, injured again. We'll see what gives with the 2nd 40.

Swiwi.

molloyjh wrote: »

I really, really don't like Justin Marshall.....

Connacht's NZ recruit and Woodsy on the BBC.

corny

If NZ played like this against the other home nations they'd lose.

The Scots don't believe they can win this.

Difficult to watch.