Sports · Other Sports · 5 hrs ago
Russell targets historic Scotland win over the All Blacks
Finn Russell is targeting a historic Scotland win over New Zealand when they meet at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Scotland fly-half has played the All Blacks three times, and each match ended in a close defeat.
Scotland have not beaten New Zealand in 121 years, and Saturday is only Russell’s fourth chance to face them in more than 12 years of international rugby.
Scotland have shown they can challenge top teams, including England, France and South Africa, but have often failed to deliver at key moments.
Russell says Scotland need to convert more chances into points, especially when they reach the opposition’s 22-metre area.
A win would end the long-running record before Scotland travel to Dunedin for another match against New Zealand ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Scotland will get more chances to face top southern hemisphere teams under the new Nations Championship format.
Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is targeting a historic win over New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in 121 years.
Russell says Scotland need to improve their conversion rate when they reach the opposition 22.
Saturday will be Russell’s 100th international across Scotland and Lions Tests.
Scotland will have another chance against New Zealand in Dunedin before next year’s Rugby World Cup.
- Who
- Scotland, led by fly-half Finn Russell, will face New Zealand.
- What
- Scotland are seeking their first win over the All Blacks.
- When
- Saturday. The article does not give a calendar date for the match.
- Where
- Murrayfield, Scotland.
- Why
- Scotland are seeking to end a 121-year run without a win over New Zealand.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Scotland beat England at Murrayfield, ending England’s 12-match winning run.
Scotland scored seven tries against Argentina in Cordoba, then lost to South Africa the following week.
Scotland are due to face the All Blacks at Murrayfield.
Scotland are due to play New Zealand in Dunedin.
- Scotland’s winless run against New Zealand
- 121 years
- Russell’s international milestone
- 100th match across Scotland and Lions Tests
- Russell’s All Blacks record
- Three close defeats
- Saturday’s match venue
- Murrayfield
- Next Scotland-All Blacks match
- Dunedin, before next year’s Rugby World Cup
What people are saying
It's the million-dollar question, isn't it?
From the summer, we were really good against Argentina when we got into the 22 and we were really good at executing there. The percentage was really high.
We actually had more chances, I think, or more entries against South Africa, but the conversion rate was a lot lower, probably half of what we had against Argentina. So, how to capitalise and convert when you get into the 22 is probably the main growth that we need to have.
It'll be really exciting to play them again at Murrayfield. It's always a great occasion.