Dominate the collisions and get some big hits in at the tackle. That is Scotland’s recipe for success against New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday.
There is an air of confidence in the Scottish camp, following their 41-31 demolition of Argentina last week – a scoreline skewed by two late tries from the Pumas.
New Zealander Vern Cotter’s arrival as coach in Edinburgh has contributed to the country once called Caledonia by the Romans and also referred to as Alba – while they, of course, referee to it as ‘the greatest country on Earth’.
Last week’s victory over the Pumas, who recently tasted success over the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship, has contributed to their growing confidence.
However, captain Greig Laidlaw admitted there are plenty of work ahead before Saturdays showdown with the All Blacks.
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“We let in a couple of soft tries against Argentina and if we come up with that against New Zealand it will be very tough going,” Laidlaw said.
“We will need to be 100 percent to give ourselves any chance of winning the game against the No 1 team in the world.”
He pointed to the collision area and tackle contest as key aspects.
“You got to get those big hits,” the Scottish captain said, adding it will definitely will not be a Barbarians type game at Murrayfield.
“If you do that it will suit them.
“We need to play as much as we can on our terms.
“It certainly won’t be easy, that’s one word we won’t be using this week,” he said.
“It will be a difficult challenge; we just need to play our game, play with confidence, back each other.
“We’ve got to get out there and play with pride and passion and play for one another and really give it a shot. That’s our focus for this week – we’re not going to die wondering, so to speak.”
Laidlaw added of a Kiwi coach with a different mentality that perhaps the Scots might be used to: “Vern certainly gives the players confidence in training.
“He’s really passionate about Scotland getting back to our roots a little bit and that’s playing the game with guts and determination.”
Laidlaw added: “He knows what they are all about, he knows their culture and the way they like to play the game. That’s been good for us, especially me, to be able to speak to Vern and understand what they’re all about.”
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Scotland hooker Ross Ford also admitted it will be a huge step up against the Kiwis, from last week’s win against the Pumas.
“The pace we play at, that is definitely something we will have to look at and be really spot-on,” Ford said.
“New Zealand would be a step up, coming off the back of the Rugby Championship.
“They play with a lot of pace and intensity at the breakdown.
“It goes without saying that the set-piece need to be functioning very well.”
He also spoke of the influence of their new coach.
“It’s one of his big things, he wants the boys to get in position to take players on one-on-one and show everybody what we can do,” Ford said.
“We want to play at a pace that makes it hard to defend and puts us in a good position to attack.
“It’s great to get those opportunities in the game. We are opening those spaces for everybody.”
* Meanwhile Edinburgh scrumhalf Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (21) has joined the Scotland squad as precautionary injury cover for Henry Pyrgos, who was injured in Scotland’s 41-31 win over Argentina at the weekend.
Pyrgos suffered a concussive episode after entering the game as replacement and will now be subject to a graduated return-to-play protocol.
Scotland team doctor, James Robson, expanded: “The IRB head injury assessment trial proved its worth. It allowed us time to assess Henry fully and ensure he received the appropriate care.”