ð Share this article Can the Scottish team finally end their New Zealand curse? The All Blacks introduced three changes to the squad that overcame the Irish team International Rugby Series: Scottish team versus All Blacks Where: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh When: Saturday, 8 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT Things were simpler then. The fourth meeting of the Scottish and New Zealand teams. A heaving Murrayfield, a scoreless tie, January 1964. Euphoria at full-time. A pitch invasion to reflect the historic accomplishment by Scotland. Having beaten three home nations, the All Blacks had at last been stopped in a international match. A contemporary reporter was nearly overcome with excitement. "An unforgettable sporting spectacle," he reported breathlessly with considerable hope. "A match in which Scotland saved the honour of Britain." Leaving the stadium that evening, Scottish fans would have had optimism about what was to come. Multiple efforts to defeat the All Blacks and no wins, but obvious indications that success might be imminent. Three years later, New Zealand beat the Scots. Five years after that, they beat them again. Another three years passed, identical outcome. Five more years went by and, yes, the pattern continued. Modern Encounters Two decades of matches later. Twenty All Black wins. Across New Zealand and beyond, Auckland to Cardiff - locations have varied but results remain consistent. In his time in the job, Scotland's coach has ended losing runs in Paris, Cardiff and Twickenham, but this challenge is different. Over a century of matches. One of sport's greatest hoodoos. Team News Over the past seasons the comprehensive defeats have reduced to eight points, five points and eight points in 2014, 2017 and 2022, but the All Blacks always find a way. Through their brilliance, their power, their chicanery, they secure victory. As match day approaches where the optimism that supporters maintained for a Scottish win is probably beginning to fade. Hope is colliding with history. Missing Players Thursday brought news that Fagerson was unavailable. For Scotland's hopes it was a significant setback. Fagerson hasn't played since April, but he's exceptional and if available then his absence from play would not have been a massive concern. In an era when most props are replaced long before the hour-mark, Fagerson's engine keeps running. No tighthead played nearly as many minutes in the Six Nations. Squad Depth Another absence is Jones but his replacement is in excellent form with his club. Fagerson's replacement presents concerns. D'Arcy Rae is an admirable tighthead, his Test career consists of limited game time. Once Rae's shift ends, his replacement takes over. Millar-Mills is a decent prop, evidence is lacking that he's All Black-beating class. Strategic Decisions Townsend has sprung surprises, some logical, some curious. Steyn's tactical awareness replaces Duhan van der Merwe's more one-dimensional power. The back row has no recognisable truffle dog, Rory Darge starting on the bench. There's no Andy Onyeama-Christie in the 23. Historical Context Graham crossed the line in the 31-23 defeat to New Zealand in 2022 Against Ireland, New Zealand won the opening match of what they hope will be an undefeated tour. They started slowly, despite numerical advantage, but their last-quarter demolition secured victory. That and Ireland's defensive shape, their attack, their line-out and their scrum collapsing. By the Numbers For all that their blasts at the end, the final quarter is not where the All Blacks do most of their damage. In all of their Tests going back three years, they've accumulated scores in the first half and 60 in the second half. Strong opening performances, 48 in the second, 26 in the third and solid finishes. They come exploding out of the traps. What Scotland Needs Against Scotland in 2022, New Zealand scored early in the opening seven minutes. Leading 14-0, victory seemed assured. Scotland fought back impressively to dominate temporarily. The lesson here is that, figuratively speaking, Scotland needs sustained pressure from the start - maintaining intensity. Over the last decade, successful opponents have required a points average in the upper twenties. Scotland have got into the 20s only occasionally against New Zealand. Final Analysis Perfect execution is required for Townsend's team. Everything. Wasted opportunities then forget it. A yellow card? Repeated infringements? Set-piece struggles? It's over. With perfect execution? A blistering beginning. A raucous crowd. Bedlam. Ruthlessness. Russell being Russell. Darcy Graham's brilliance. Fantasy rugby, maybe. We haven't seen an 80 minutes from the Scottish team that would be good enough to beat the All Blacks. If the capability exists, now is the moment; a century is sufficient.