Scotland Prepares for Crucial Match Against New Zealand After Dominant Win

Scotland’s rugby team showcased their dominance with an emphatic 85-0 victory over the United States in Edinburgh, a match that served as a crucial preparation for their upcoming challenge against New Zealand on October 14, 2023. The commanding performance featured 13 unanswered tries, with standout players such as Darcy Graham and Jamie Dobie each scoring a hat-trick. Despite this overwhelming success, Scotland understands that a significant step up in performance will be necessary to face the All Blacks at Murrayfield Stadium.

Historically, Scotland has struggled against New Zealand, having played them 32 times over the last 117 years, with the All Blacks securing 30 victories and two matches ending in draws. Scotland’s recent encounters with New Zealand have shown promise, particularly in their last two meetings. In 2022, Scotland held a nine-point lead at Murrayfield before narrowly losing 31-23. Five years prior, they fell just short again, losing 22-17 in Edinburgh.

Scotland’s Head Coach, Gregor Townsend, expressed optimism following the match against the United States, stating, “We’ve had two cracking matches against them, but not delivered that winning performance. All these experiences, today included, have to be put into an 80-minute performance.” He emphasized the importance of building team cohesion quickly, noting the players’ confidence from their training week. “There’s no reason why we can’t. The guys will be up for it and have the belief they can do it,” he added.

The Scottish squad will also benefit from the return of key players like Blair Kinghorn, Finn Russell, and Ben White, who were unavailable for the match against the United States due to club commitments outside of the international window. Their inclusion could provide a significant boost to the team’s chances against New Zealand.

Townsend praised the squad’s preparation leading up to the dominant win, highlighting the emerging leadership among players. “I did feel in terms of how the squad prepared that there’s more leadership coming out from our players. The players are driving a lot of what we’re doing in training,” he noted. This leadership will be crucial in the upcoming match against New Zealand, where the team will need to maintain focus and intensity throughout the full 80 minutes.

As Scotland gears up for this pivotal clash, the anticipation is palpable. The challenge of facing the All Blacks represents not only a test of skill but also an opportunity for Scotland to make history and secure their first-ever victory against New Zealand. With players and coaches alike eager to rise to the occasion, all eyes will be on Murrayfield Stadium next weekend.