All Blacks: Scotland to be taken seriously

The All Blacks and Scotland last met in 2008 with the men in black earning a 32-6 win. Photo / Getty Images

Scotland are historically damned as second-class citizens south of the border, but the enhanced status of their rugby side should be reflected by the All Blacks team that takes to Murrayfield on Sunday (NZT).

On previous visits to Edinburgh All Blacks head coach Graham Henry possibly appeared condescending by using the Scotland leg of a Grand Slam to introduce untested talent on an arena New Zealand has never lost at since their first visit in 1905.

Utility Isaia Toeava debuted at fullback in 2005, two years ago loose forwards Liam Messam, Kieran Read and prop Jamie Mackintosh embarked on their contrasting careers.

Murrayfield was also regarded as a convenient rest stop for the influential Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw - in 2008 they were included in the bench as insurance and were barely necessary as the All Blacks won 32-6.

This time the duo are expected to stay on after the haka - Scotland's form in the last Six Nations and their historic series win in Argentina in June dictates the naming of a stronger than usual 22-man squad on Thursday.

Unbeaten in their last four tests, Scotland has drawn with old enemy England, beaten Ireland in Dublin and then defeated an admittedly under strength Pumas side in Tucuman and Mar del Plata - form that suggests this Scottish squad should, and will, be taken more seriously.

"We're under no illusions," said McCaw after the team trained on an artificial pitch in Arctic conditions.

"Perhaps in the past the attitude coming here is this is going to be the easiest game of the lot. I think from what I've seen off the Scottish that's not the case anymore."

Read, now the All Blacks first choice No 8, agreed: "The way they played in the Six Nations, they're probably the most improved side up here.

"They've got an attacking mind set and they've pretty much been in every game they've played."

Scotland would have secured an unexpected Triple Crown had they not folded in the final quarter in Cardiff; France were also held to a nine-point margin, only the 16-12 loss to Italy was deemed unacceptable by coach Andy Robinson.

His counterpart Henry is likely to utilise a wealth of experience, with the notable exception of uncapped Hawke's Bay hooker Hika Elliot.

With Keven Mealamu facing suspension and Andrew Hore still yet to play since shoulder surgery in May, Elliot is poised to start for the first time.

Messam might also earn his sixth cap where it all began for the Waikato loosie as Jerome Kaino's replacement on the blindside flank.

The backline could feature as many as four changes from the formation that started the 26-16 defeat of England last weekend.

Joe Rokocoko's knee injury and mixed performance at Twickenham could see Toeava, his replacement that afternoon, start on the right wing.

A continuation of the Sonny Bill Williams experiment is likely to see him revert to his usual position of second five-eighth alongside Conrad Smith, meaning Ma'a Nonu is the man squeezed out of midfield this weekend.wJimmy Cowan could also return after Alby Mathewson and Andy Ellis shared the halfback duties against the English.

Robinson, meanwhile, made five changes from the team that triumphed in Argentina.

Rory Lamont replaces the recently injured Simon Danielli on the wing, while Mike Blair, Scotland's most-capped halfback, will start instead of Rory Lawson and captain his country for the 14th time.

In the pack Euan Murray is preferred to Moray Low at tighthead while lock Richie Gray and No 8 Richie Vernon both make their first starts in place of the injured Alastair Kellock and Johnnie Beattie.

So far 51,000 tickets have been sold for Scotland's first test of an autumn programme that also includes matches against South Africa and Samoa.

- NZPA