New Zealand assistant coach Mike Blair says the All Blacks will arrive at Murrayfield "fully loaded" as they seek to preserve their unbeaten record against Scotland in the Nations Championship on Saturday. Scotland have never beaten New Zealand in 33 attempts spanning 121 years, though recent meetings have been decided by single-digit margins. Blair, who played 85 times for Scotland and coached Edinburgh from 2021 to 2023, acknowledges the threat the hosts pose. "When I played, New Zealand played their second-string team. They gave guys opportunity against us," he recalled, noting times have changed. "We're fully loaded. We're ready to go."
Blair highlights the significance of preserving long-standing records, including the All Blacks' unbeaten streak at Eden Park since 1994. He also expresses pride in New Zealand's record against Scotland, expecting a tough contest given the closeness of recent matches. The coach worked under Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend with both Glasgow Warriors and Scotland, maintaining a strong relationship despite the rivalry. "We've been in touch this week," Blair said of his former international teammate.
The squad and staff are coping with the sudden death of All Blacks head of security Logan Cadwallader, who passed away on Sunday following the team's arrival in Edinburgh. Rennie called the loss "a huge, huge shock." Blair says it has been a tough few days, noting Cadwallader was a big part of the setup for 10 years and very close with players and management.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing