Kyle Steyn comes into the starting XV for Scotland as they go in search of a first-ever win over New Zealand at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Saturday.
Steyn replaces Duhan van der Merwe, who reached the 50-cap milestone in last weekend’s 85-0 dismantling of the United States. Steyn is perhaps not quite as prolific but has crossed the try line 13 times in 25 appearances. He slots in to a pretty established first choice backline along with Rory Hutchinson, who takes Huw Jones usual shirt and will be relishing a rare opportunity to play for Scotland against top-class opposition.
Now the international window is officially open, Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn and Ben White are all back in the fold while Sione Tuipulotu will resume his captaincy.
The most concerning area is up front where Scotland will again be without first choice Zander Fagerson. He was in contention to return after a long injury lay-off, but has not recovered in time. D’Arcy Rae keeps his place at tighthead with Millar-Mills on the bench.
Gregor Brown gets the nod at blindside flanker ahead of former skipper Jamie Ritchie in what could best be described as a hefty pack! Can they manufacturer front foot ball from somewhere and break the All-Black hoodoo? With Rory Darge’s fitness a concern he only makes the bench but that does open a window for Brown to add another lineout option, assuming the throwers can hit them.
While Scotland may not have learned much from a record win over a frankly very poor USA team, New Zealand were actually on the Eagles turf in Chicago last weekend – the country’s own team clearly not much of a draw. The All Blacks overturned an early deficit to beat Ireland 26-13, pulling clear in the second half when Ireland lost Tadhg Beirne to a first-half red card (that decision was later rescinded following a disciplinary hearing).
Captained by Ardie Savea, they’ve made three changes to the side that beat Ireland. Lock Josh Lord and centre Leicester Fainga’anuku replace injured brothers Scott and Jordie Barrett, while flanker Wallace Sititi comes in for Simon Parker.
It might be too much to hope jet lag plays a part this weekend, given the results over the lifetime of the blog:
New Zealand record
But nonetheless, we will always hope…
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, Rory Hutchinson, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Kyle Steyn, Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, D’Arcy Rae, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown, Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: George Turner, Rory Sutherland, Eliot Millar-Mills, Marshall Sykes, Rory Darge, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Dobie, Tom Jordan.
New Zealand: Jordan; Carter, Fainga’anuku, Tupaea, Clarke; B Barrett, Roigard; Groot, Taylor, Newell, Lord, Holland, Sititi, Savea (capt), Lakai.
Replacements: Taukei’aho, Williams, Tosi, Darry, Kirifi, Ratima, Proctor, McKenzie.