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The 'so special' reason why Scotland are predicting an ABs upset

By PA
Scotland's Grant Gilchrist (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Grant Gilchrist has called on Scotland to seize their chance to make history against New Zealand this weekend. The Scots have never beaten the All Blacks, although they came mighty close in their last meeting in 2017 when a strong fightback brought Gregor Townsend’s team within a score of victory before they succumbed to a 22-17 defeat.

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Edinburgh lock Gilchrist played in that match and believes the current team are equipped to go a step further and record a victory if they can put all the positive aspects of their game together on Sunday. “It was one of the highlights of my career, that game,” he said.

“It was so special. We came so close. We know the amount of effort and the level of performance it will take but what an opportunity it is to play them at home and try to make history. It’s something the team will relish this week. If we put everything into our training week, make a few fixes and put on our best performance on Sunday, we believe we can win.”

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Gilchrist believes BT Murrayfield can play a part in helping Scotland flourish this weekend. “I love playing at Murrayfield any time I get the opportunity, but that game against the All Blacks, the atmosphere felt like a Calcutta Cup game where every decision was roared either way,” he said. “We’re going to need that on Sunday because it makes a big difference when our fans are behind us.

“It’s going to be a special day. Naturally, there is an extra level of excitement for a game like this because you know you are playing against the best. You try and prepare to play at the same intensity every week but there is an extra added spice this week because we have got the opportunity to do something that’s never been done before. That’s exciting for everyone.”

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Scotland have had a mixed 2022 but – despite being competitive in most of their matches – have not truly fired on all cylinders. On Saturday, in their 28-12 victory over Fiji, they showed two sides to their game as they conceded two tries in a grim first half before tightening things up after the break and keeping the visitors at bay in a more assured second-half performance. “We are working every week to try and produce that complete performance,” said Gilchrist.

“The foundations are there. We just need to put it all together, and what an opportunity we have got to do it on the biggest stage this week. It felt like Fiji’s only chances last weekend were from our own ill-discipline. We have got a strong defence and we are going to need that over the next two weekends, especially this weekend.”

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3 Comments
B
Bryan 726 days ago

As Ireland have shown, it's only a matter of time before it happens.
As an AB supporter I hope it's not this weekend, however this is a very good Scotland team playing at Murrayfield, so good luck to them.
Looking forward to this one very much.
ABs by 20+

R
Robert 727 days ago

Please, why can’t our players just get on with preparing instead of coming out with stuff that more than likely could come back and bite us.

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Easy_Duzz-it 32 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The world never caught up the All Blacks just went backwards . After 2015 they had a plan to build the team around 2 players . Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett , Cane was hailed as the next Mccaw and Barrett the next carter . Unfortunately Cane sustained too many injures and Barrett despite being a great ball runner didn't have a high enough conversion rate or the game management skills to control the team and the game . Then to make matters worst , the selections were so bad year after year the forward pack became shockingly weak .

New Zealand had so much talent wasted betwen 2016 - 2023 . Laumape , elliot dixon , ben tamefuna , pita gus , ben lam , vaea fifita and so many other in form players that never got a look or the time to develop into great All Blacks .


Then you have the dual playmaker system that never worked , but they kept using it . why ? cause some men cant admit when they're wrong . thats the All Blacks between 2016-2023 . wrong coaches with the wrong vision , going in the wrong direction . now it appears the world caught up . but like I said the world never caught up . then you add the obvious flawed referee calls that happen to go against us more often then for us now . the worst of which that never gets called is when the opposition use rush defence but have players offside . this has been going for years , but who cares ? .


anyway its almost 10 and i need to get some shut eye .

Go the might All Blacks !!!!

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