New Zealand sustained the biggest defeat in their history at the hands of world champions South Africa in the recent Rugby Championship, and also endured a surprise loss to Argentina.
That has led some to believe the aura of the mighty All Blacks may be slipping and that this represents Scotland’s best chance to register their first ever victory in the fixture, but Scotland wing Darcy Graham says they remain as formidable as ever.
“No, that doesn’t slip at all. We know the challenge that’s coming on Saturday,” said Graham, whose hat-trick in Scotland’s 85-0 demolition of the United States took him level with Duhan van der Merwe as Scotland’s record try scorer.
“The quality they’ve got across their whole team, they can swap boys in and out, they’re world class.
“Growing up, you always wanted to play against the All Blacks. You don’t get any bigger occasions, so it’s going to be special. Especially at Murrayfield, the atmosphere is going to be incredible.
“There’s going to be a real buzz building throughout the whole week, so it’s exciting.
“They’re an incredible team, the history they’ve got behind them. They’re going to be coming here as favourites.
“We’ve obviously got that monkey on the back that we’ve never beaten them before, so it would be very special to beat them.”
