Rugby Test: New Zealand v Scotland

08.11.2008
New Zealand v Scotland at Murrayfield

Preview
Controversy is never far away from a rugby game. New Zealand's decision to rest key players and field basically a second Xv against Scotland has drawn criticism. It does look odd in the context of New Zealand being very upset about the possibility of France sending a below strength side on their Southern tour in 2009.

New Zealand will field three new test players in their starting XV with a number of others having only a handful of tests. First choice players McCaw and Carter sit on the bench. The depth of New Zealand rugby is such that Scotland will need to play out of their skins to achieve what would be an historic first win over the Kiwis.

Scotland field an experienced side in all areas except mid field. This will be the area that New Zealand will attack. If ever Scotland has the opportunity to gain this first test victory their best chance looks like Murrayfield on Saturday. I just can't see it happening.

Last Five Encounters
23.09.2007 New Zealand 40-0 at Murrayfield (World Cup, Pool C)
26.11.2005 New Zealand 29-10 at Murrayfield
24.11.2001 New Zealand 37-6 at Murrayfield
01.07.2000 New Zealand 48-14 in Auckland
24.06.2000 New Zealand 69-20 in Dunedin.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-New Zealand 1st, Scotland 6th

Prediction: New Zealand by 24 points

Teams

New Zealand
15 Isaia Toeava (Auckland) Aged 22, 18 tests
14 Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour) 26, 5
13 Richard Kahui (Wakato) 23, 6
12 Ma'a Nonu (Wellington) 26, 29
11 Joe Rokocoko (Auckland) 25, 48
10 Stephen Donald Stephen Donald (Waikato) 24, 7
9 Piri Weepu (Wellington) 24, 25
8 Liam Messam (Waikato) 24, New Cap
7 Adam Thomson (Otago) 26, 8
6 Kieran Read (Canterbury) 23, New Cap
5 Alistair Williams (Canterbury) 27, 57
4 Anthony Boric (North Harbour) 24, 8
3 John Afoa (Auckland) 24, 9
2 Keven Mealamu, Capt. (Auckland) 29, 40
1 Jamie Mackintosh (Southland) 23, New Cap
Replacements
16 Corey Flynn (Canterbury) 27, 3
17 Neemia Tialata (Wellington) 25, 28
18 Ross Filipo (Wellington) 29, 3
19 Richard McCaw (Canterbury) 27, 66
20 Andrew Ellis (Canterbury) 24, 8
21 Daniel Carter (Canterbury) 26, 55
22 Cory Jane (Wellington) 25, 1
Head Coach: Graham Henry

Rokocoko last played test rugby for New Zealand v France in the 2007 Rugby World Quarter Final. Filipo last played for New Zealand v Australia in Melbourne in June 2007. Flynn last played test rugby for New Zealand v Italy, November 2004.

Scotland
15 Christopher Paterson (Gloucester, England) Age 30, 88 tests
14 Thomas Evans (Glasgow Warriors) 24, 1
13 Benjamin Cairns (Edinburgh Gunners) 23, 2
12 Nicholas De Luca (Edinburgh Gunners) 24, 3
11 Sean Lamont (Northampton Saints, England) 26, 31
10 Phillip Goodman (Edinburgh Gunners) 26, 9
9 Michael Blair, Capt. (Edinburgh Gunners) 27, 50
8 Simon Taylor (Stade Francais, France) 29, 60
7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) 21, 4
6 Jason White (Sale Sharks, England) 30, 67
5 James Hamilton (Leicester Tigers, England) 25, 15
4 Nathan Hines (Perpignan, France) 31, 53
3 Euan Murray (Northampton Saints, England) 28, 22
2 Ross Ford (Glasgow Warriors) 24, 21
1 Allan Jacobson (Edinburgh Gunners) 30, 30
Replacements
16 Douglas Hall (Glasgow Warriors) 28, 20
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Gloucester, England) 24, 4
18 Matthew Mustchin (Edinburgh Gunners) 31, 2
19 Scott Gray (Northampton Saints, England) 30, 1
20 Rory Lawson (Gloucester, England) 27, 11 or
20 Mark McMillan (Glasgow Warriors) 25, New Cap
21 Daniel Parks (Glasgow Warriors) 30, 44
22 Hugo Southwell (Edinburgh Gunners) 28, 42
Head Coach: Frank Hadden
Not available: Christopher Cusiter (injury),

Gray, born in Zimbabwe and played rugby league in Australia, played his only test v Australia in 2004. Mustchin, born in New Zealand, was a team mate of Richie McCaw for Canterbury before moving to Scotland