Scotland captain Ross Ford believes his side can make history by claiming their first-ever win over New Zealand next month.
The world champion All Blacks have won 28 out of 30 matches between the two countries since their first encounter in 1905.
Scotland's best performances came in 1964 and 1983 when they managed to hold the All Blacks to two draws. But Ford is confident his side can go one better and upset the world champions.
"We go into every game believing that we can win," the Edinburgh hooker told the BBC.
"It's a great opportunity to play against the best team in the world and everyone will be raring to go.
"It will take an 80-minute performance out of the top drawer, but that's what we have been working on."
The last time the two countries met was at Murrayfield in 2010 and on that occasion New Zealand triumphed 49-3.
Ford, who led the Scots to June wins in Australia, Fiji and Samoa, wants his side to put in a good performance ahead of their matches against South Africa and Tonga on 17 and 24 November respectively.
"Everyone is excited about the match," he said.
"We want to perform well and do Scotland proud. We've been working on our consistency and repeating our good work.
"We've just got to make sure that happens against the All Blacks because it will take that to beat them."
Comments
piriaka says...
... or may be play the racially selected Maori team (most players of whom have more white blood than Maori anyway) ..... just looking at what Ross means by his thought about winning ...
Posted 17:57 06th October 2012
piriaka says...
Good on you Ross. Are you say like, if your 15 a side team play the All Blacks 7s?? That might give the Scots a fair go
Posted 17:55 06th October 2012
Ramage says...
The boy frae Kelso is known as a practical joker but on the serious side as Captain of the team what else can he say?
Posted 14:38 06th October 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
Any team "can" beat the AB's. The real question is "when"?
Yawn...
Posted 09:43 06th October 2012
AWEBLAX says...
@thai_mai please don't ever compare the Wallabies to the ABs, the Wobblies have also been beaten by Samoa, Fiji and Tonga, @melkdave absolutely agree with you, way to go Scotland the Brave..........
Posted 07:27 06th October 2012
hellovanite says...
Good on yer mate; you¿ve got to have the right attitude. Hell guy's, he's just saying that they can, not that they will. Everyone with a brain knows that the likelihood of this happening is tantamount to the Sandwich Islands winning the football world cup. But, why even get on the pitch if you feel you have no hope. I say go Scotland the little engine that could.
Posted 07:22 06th October 2012
makemehappy says...
What a plonker. Why say something if you know and feel it isn't true - you just end up looking like an idiot. Any captain with an ounce of common-sense would know that, and would just seek to do the talking on the pitch.
Posted 17:52 05th October 2012
Kiwikev says...
@ rugby_rockstar
I hope the AB are less confident than you as they face a massive challenge in Soweto...
@ the_mai
Scotland may indeed beat the AB one day but I hope I am not alive to see it...
Posted 15:48 05th October 2012
tha_mai says...
Of course they can, and ideally in my lifetime. My late father always hoped for another Wales win to make it two in his life, sadly for him 1953 was the only one, despite my best flag waving efforts.
Few would have picked Scotland to beat Australia this year, or beat them in 2009. it happens.
Posted 15:02 05th October 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Even with wins at home over SA and Australia, NZ are a level above at the present.
The All Blacks are close to untouchable at the moment. The way they destroyed Argentina last week was fantastic.
Posted 12:42 05th October 2012
scot_rsa says...
Before the hecklers start, he has to say this. Let's face it Scotland are going in cold so it will be even tougher. Ford is growing into the captain role but I think it has affected his form. Kellock seems a more natural and vociferous captain. Whatever, good luck Scotland, you've been close in the past and you will do it one day.
Posted 11:37 05th October 2012
melkdave says...
Nothing wrong with Scotland beliving they can win against the ABs If they didnt i would be surprised,every sportman must go into competion beliving he/she can win,otherwise they are beaten before they even start.
Posted 11:30 05th October 2012