🔗 Share this article Can the Scottish team finally break the long-standing losing streak? New Zealand implemented several adjustments to the side that beat Ireland International Rugby Series: Scottish team versus All Blacks Where: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh When: Saturday, 8 November Time: 3:10 PM GMT Things were simpler then. The fourth meeting of Scotland and New Zealand. A packed stadium, a scoreless tie, winter of 1964. Euphoria at full-time. A pitch invasion to reflect the historic accomplishment by Scotland. After defeating Ireland, Wales and England, New Zealand had at last been stopped in a Test. A contemporary reporter almost blew a gasket. "An unforgettable sporting spectacle," he announced excitedly and somewhat optimistically. "A match in which Scotland saved the honour of Britain." Leaving the stadium that evening, Scottish fans would have had optimism about what was to come. Multiple efforts to defeat the All Blacks and no wins, but obvious indications that maybe one was not far off. Three years later, New Zealand beat the Scots. Half a decade later, history repeated itself. Another three years passed, same story. Another five-year gap and, indeed, you know the rest. Recent History Twenty games since then later. Twenty All Black wins. Across New Zealand and beyond, Auckland to Cardiff - the landscapes have changed but not the outcomes. In his time in the job, Scotland's coach has broken winless streaks in major European venues, but this challenge is different. Over a century of matches. Among rugby's most persistent curses. Team News In recent years the landslide 20, 30 and 40-point wins have narrowed to eight points, five points and eight points in recent encounters, but the All Blacks always find a way. Via their excellence, physical dominance, game management, they get the job done. As match day approaches where the optimism that supporters maintained for a Scottish win is probably beginning to fade. Hope is colliding with history. Key Absences Recent updates revealed that Fagerson was unavailable. To Scottish ambitions it was a significant setback. Fagerson hasn't played since April, but he's exceptional and if available then the long gap without a game would not have been too worrying. In an era when most props are replaced early in matches, his endurance stands out. Unmatched playing time in the Six Nations. Replacement Concerns They're without Huw Jones but his replacement is in excellent form with his club. There's no such quality replacing big Zander. While Rae is capable, his international experience consists of 73 minutes stretched across six years. And when Rae is finished, there's Elliot Millar-Mills to come on. While competent, there's little to suggest that he's All Black-beating class. Strategic Decisions The coach has made unexpected selections, partly expected, some curious. Kyle Steyn's game-management intelligence replaces van der Merwe's physical approach. The back row has no recognisable truffle dog, with Darge among substitutes. Onyeama-Christie's omission is notable. Historical Context Graham crossed the line in the 31-23 defeat to New Zealand in the previous encounter Facing the Irish, the All Blacks secured the opening match of what they hope will be a Grand Slam tour. They started slowly, despite numerical advantage, but their last-quarter demolition did the trick. That and Ireland's defensive shape, offensive struggles, set-piece issues. Statistical Analysis Despite late-game surges, the last 20 minutes is not where New Zealand typically dominates. In all of their Tests going back three years, they've accumulated scores in opening periods and fewer after halftime. They've scored 39 in the first quarter, excellent second quarters, 26 in the third and solid finishes. They come exploding out of the traps. What Scotland Needs During their last meeting, they struck twice in the opening seven minutes. Leading 14-0, victory seemed assured. Scotland recovered majestically to hit them with 23 unanswered points. The clear message is that, metaphorically, Scotland must put the boot on the throat from the start - and keep it there. In recent years, successful opponents have required a points average in the upper twenties. Scotland have got into the 20s only occasionally against New Zealand. Conclusion Perfect execution is required for Scotland. Everything. If they start butchering chances early on then hopes fade. A yellow card? Repeated infringements? A battered scrum? The game is lost. But what if everything does go right? Explosive start. Vocal support. Bedlam. Ruthlessness. Finn Russell's magic. Graham being Graham. Fantasy rugby, maybe. We haven't seen an 80 minutes from Scotland that would be sufficient against New Zealand. If the capability exists, now is the moment; 120 years is enough of a wait.