Aisle be Back: All Blacks v Scotland

Above: When the All Blacks played Scotland in 1964. This was a 0-0 draw – the closest Scotland has ever come to beating the All Blacks.

• By Kevin McCarthy

It seems staggering that Scotland is still winless against the All Blacks.

Like the Irish before them, they’ve gone perilously close to the Holy Grail a number of times – with two draws the most galling.

Their last encounter in the north was a bit tight for comfort, and only an extreme optimist would predict a comfortable  All Black win.  Especially as the Scots would like to mark a hundred years at Murrayfield in historic fashion.

They have nearly derailed past Grand Slam bids – including in the murk in 1978, when it was hard on the flash TVs of the day to actually work out what was happening in the Scottish mist.

As this generation of All Black coaches have  made an art form of finally allowing rising powers like Ireland and Argentina to get the winless monkey off their respective backs, surely the Scots must sense their chance.

If the All Blacks turn in a similar  off-colour 60 minutes as they did in Chicago, Scotland have enough wit and firepower to get the home side roaring.

While’s there rightfully plenty of interest in whether Leicester Fainga’anuku, and Quinn Tupaea can take the direct route as a new midfield combo, this time they’re starting.

There’s also that relatively rookie locking duo who have to make the lineouts less of a lottery this time.

Al that said, we do know the Scots will not die wondering and that we’re going to get plenty of movement I n the match – if the referee allows the teams to go there.

And a last word – the All Blacks again playing not in Black, but white jerseys to avoid a colour clash.

It certainly triggers flashbacks to the world cup clash at Murrayfield. I was there that day, and the accursed silver All Blacks strip was farcically too close to what the Scots wore.

Quite how that wasn’t noticed pre-match stays a mystery.

All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets)   

1. Ethan de Groot (38)

Codie Taylor (104) (Vice-Captain)

3. Fletcher Newell (32)

4. Josh Lord (9)

Fabian Holland (10)

6. Wallace Sititi (16)

7. Ardie Savea (104) (Captain)

Peter Lakai (6)

9. Cam Roigard (15)

10. Beauden Barrett (142) (Vice-Captain)

11. Caleb Clarke (31)

12. Quinn Tupaea (22)

13. Leicester Fainga’anuku (9)

14.  Leroy Carter (4)

15.  Will Jordan (51)
16.  Samisoni Taukei’aho (40)

17. Tamaiti Williams (24)

18. Pasilio Tosi (13)

19. Sam Darry (6)

20.  Du’Plessis Kirifi (6)

21. Cortez Ratima (19)

22. Billy Proctor (9)

23.  Damian McKenzie (71)

Unavailable for selection:  Scott Barrett (leg laceration) Jordie Barrett (high ankle)

++++++++++

A nice little sidebar you will know of is that Wallace Sititi is named after the Scottish hero of the same name. Fortunately, not named after the actor in the movie Braveheart, as Mel Sititi is distinctly less intimidating as a moniker.

If Wallace is victorious this weekend, and no doubt turns up at Twickenham against the English, here’s hoping they don’t manage to do what they did a few hundred years ago – hang, draw, and quarter the captured rebel.

+++++++++++

At first glance, the Hurricanes squad for 2026 looks strong, with a core of veterans. Although veterans these days is a tag achieved after a couple of seasons.

Eyes will still be on first-five, especially now that Harry Godfrey is unfortunately sidelined with injury. Last year’s campaign stuttered until Brett Cameron came back from injury – it will be highly beneficial if he can be there at the start, middle, and end this time.

The Hurricanes squad for 2026 is:

Props: Pasilio Tosi, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Siale Lauaki, Tevita Mafileo, Tyrel Lomax, Xavier Numia
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Raymond Tuputupu, Vernon Bason
Locks: Caleb Delany, Hugo Plummer, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Tom Allen, Warner Dearns
Loose Forwards: Arese Poliko, Brad Shields, Brayden Iose, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Peter Lakai
Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Ereatara Enari, Jordi Viljeon
First Fives: Brett Cameron, Lucas Cashmore, Harry Godfrey (out for the season), Callum Harkin
Midfield: Billy Proctor, Jone Rova, Jordie Barrett, Josh Timu, Riley Higgins, Bailyn Sullivan
Outside Backs: Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby, Kini Naholo, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love