Yes, that is correct, the weekend will be upon us and the All Blacks will go head to head with Scotland in Edinburgh at Murrayfield. Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks. They have drawn twice out of 26 matches, and the last time they played each other in 2007 in Edinburgh, it was a killing, with the All Blacks winning 40-0.
You can read the preview below written over at allblacks.com. I believe there will be problems for just a little while, but as the game progresses, the All Blacks will prevail and find a way to win big. Especially when the likes of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw come off the bench. Stephen Donald and his backs will most likely do a ton of damage, obviously they will do the job with training most likely a success, otherwise Graham Henry wouldn't put them on. I am predicting a big win, with a scoreline of 36-6.
New Zealand's quest for a third Grand Slam opens on Sunday at Murrayfield with a testing encounter for an untried combination against a Scotland team still hunting for a first Test victory over the All Blacks.
VENUE & TIME: Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Sunday November 9, 6:15 NZT.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 26 - New Zealand 24, Scotland 0, Draws 2.
LAST TIME: September 23, 2007 (Edinburgh) - New Zealand 40-0 Scotland.
WALKING WOUNDED: Prop John Afoa comes back into the side after a pre-tour injury to his knee suffered in Auckland while wing Joe Rokocoko makes his return after a long absence due to a hand injury suffered during the Rebel Sport Super 14. And on the All Blacks bench hooker Corey Flynn and halfback Andrew Ellis are set to return from injuries which have hampered their availability this season. Wing Sean Lamont rejoins the Scotland team after missing seven Tests due to a knee injury.
FORM: New Zealand's relatively inexperienced side has no form as a combination although several individuals have had the benefit of intense matchplay in the Air New Zealand Cup. In the front row prop Jamie Mackintosh was part of an inspired Southland side and blindside flanker Kieran Read had a superb season with both the Crusaders and the Canterbury teams. Halfback Piri Weepu has been in fine touch for his Wellington side while centre Richard Kahui has been impressing with every outing. Scotland is also together for the first time since its summer tour to Argentina where it took a Test off the home team, however some of its key players have not had hard match play recently.
WHO'S HOT: Fullback Isaia Toeava had a big impact at Hong Kong and should build on that while wing Anthony Tuitavake lacked chances with North Harbour but showed his hunger earlier in the season with the All Blacks. Lock Ali Williams has played at a consistently high level all season while his locking partner Anthony Boric has made big strides during the season. Scotland has an experienced core to its pack. Jason White, Simon Taylor and Nathan Hines have all played more than 50 Tests while coach Frank Hadden has opted for the Edinburgh combination of halfback Mike Blair, first five-eighths Phil Godman and second five-eighths Nick De Luca and centre Ben Cairns to give continuity to the side.
WE THINK: New Zealand's ability to play consistently well at a level of intensity above what Scotland will be able to sustain for a lengthy period should be enough for the All Blacks to overcome problems of continuity in the early stages of the game and an impressive win by this side is on the cards.
TEAMS:
All Blacks: 01 Jamie Mackintosh 02 Keven Mealamu 03 John Afoa 04 Anthony Boric 05 Ali Williams 06 Kieran Read 07 Adam Thomson 08 Liam Messam 09 Piri Weepu 10 Stephen Donald 11 Josevata Rokocoko 12 Ma'a Nonu 13 Richard Kahui 14 Anthony Tuitavake 15 Isaia Toeava.
Reserves: 16 Corey Flynn 17 Neemia Tialata 18 Ross Filipo 19 Richie McCaw 20 Andy Ellis 21 Dan Carter 22 Cory Jane.
Scotland: 01 Allan Jacobson 02 Ross Ford 03 Euan Murray 04 Nathan Hines 05 Jim Hamilton 06 Jason White 07 John Barclay 08 Simon Taylor 09 Mike Blair (captain) 10 Phil Goodman 11 Sean Lamont 12 Nick De Luca 13 Ben Cairns 14 Thom Evans 15 Chris Paterson.
Reserves: 16 Dougie Hall 17 Alaisdair Dickinson 18 Matt Mustchin 19 Scott Gray 20 Rory Lawson/Mark McMillan 21 Dan Parks 22 Hugo Southwell.
REFEREE: Wayne Barnes
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