Scotland's win over the USA on Saturday has sent shockwaves around the rugby world, with many believing it could be the catalyst for a major upset against the All Blacks in Saturday's showdown at Murrayfield. The 85-0 thrashing of the Americans was a stark reminder that Scotland have been quietly building momentum under Gregor Townsend.
The win, however, also raises questions about just how big a challenge the All Blacks pose to Scotland. New Zealand have not lost a Test match since November 2019 and have won their last three games against Scotland.
But for one day at least, talk of a possible upset was all that mattered. As the Scots celebrated their biggest win over the USA in history, thoughts turned to the challenge ahead. Will this be the start of something special? Can they finally get their hands on a victory over their trans-Tasman rivals?
Gregor Townsend's team have been quietly building momentum under him and have done just enough to give themselves a chance. The All Blacks are not as scary as they used to be, having lost some key players in recent years.
Townsend will have to make some crucial decisions about his starting team and the composition of his bench. A 6-2 split in the front row could provide more gnarled forwards entering the fray late on, which would give Scotland an extra edge.
Blair Kinghorn is needed against the All Blacks but can he recover from a grueling season so far? The midfield should be the pair of Glasgow powerhouses, Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall. At half-back, cohesion will probably win the day again with Finn Russell partnering Ben White.
Jamie Dobie has never been closer to shifting the order at nine but can he do it on Saturday? Zander Fagerson hasn't played since April and what are the chances that big man can just reappear and deliver the game of his life?
Townsend is unlikely to agree with a kicking-on approach, however. His back-row has two shoo-ins - Matt Fagerson at six and Jack Dempsey at eight. The seven jersey is between two brilliant operators but can they both make it into the 23.
One thing's for sure: Scotland have to power-up. They've done the agony and the outrage in this fixture in recent years, now is the time for something completely different.
Can Scotland finally beat New Zealand? It's a chance for them to rewrite history and create something special. The world will be watching as they take on their trans-Tasman rivals at Murrayfield.
				
			The win, however, also raises questions about just how big a challenge the All Blacks pose to Scotland. New Zealand have not lost a Test match since November 2019 and have won their last three games against Scotland.
But for one day at least, talk of a possible upset was all that mattered. As the Scots celebrated their biggest win over the USA in history, thoughts turned to the challenge ahead. Will this be the start of something special? Can they finally get their hands on a victory over their trans-Tasman rivals?
Gregor Townsend's team have been quietly building momentum under him and have done just enough to give themselves a chance. The All Blacks are not as scary as they used to be, having lost some key players in recent years.
Townsend will have to make some crucial decisions about his starting team and the composition of his bench. A 6-2 split in the front row could provide more gnarled forwards entering the fray late on, which would give Scotland an extra edge.
Blair Kinghorn is needed against the All Blacks but can he recover from a grueling season so far? The midfield should be the pair of Glasgow powerhouses, Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall. At half-back, cohesion will probably win the day again with Finn Russell partnering Ben White.
Jamie Dobie has never been closer to shifting the order at nine but can he do it on Saturday? Zander Fagerson hasn't played since April and what are the chances that big man can just reappear and deliver the game of his life?
Townsend is unlikely to agree with a kicking-on approach, however. His back-row has two shoo-ins - Matt Fagerson at six and Jack Dempsey at eight. The seven jersey is between two brilliant operators but can they both make it into the 23.
One thing's for sure: Scotland have to power-up. They've done the agony and the outrage in this fixture in recent years, now is the time for something completely different.
Can Scotland finally beat New Zealand? It's a chance for them to rewrite history and create something special. The world will be watching as they take on their trans-Tasman rivals at Murrayfield.