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
Chinstan says...
@Mace hahaha did you really just write that you don't talk yourselves up then write about a world record winning streak in the same breathe, Amazing!
Posted 08:50 17th October 2012
Mace says...
Think you have been watching too much Braveheart there mate. We never talk ourselves up and your talking like a careless fool!!!! We let the actions do the talking on the field and beilieve me your team will be just another STAT on our WORLD RECORD winning streak you dreamer!!!!!! ALL BLACKS FOREVER...
Posted 19:22 16th October 2012
APV1 says...
@ Thebosston2 - hence my apology for dumbness - I have been educated now.
Posted 14:33 15th October 2012
weemanmarsh says...
@PR
Is Kiwiinaus going to be allowed to get away with a comment like that?
Posted 20:41 14th October 2012
leebok says...
never read anything so funny
Posted 18:10 13th October 2012
Thebosston2 says...
@APV1: You obviously don't know your INXS lyrics...
Posted 15:50 12th October 2012
APV1 says...
@ Kiwiinaus - excuse me for being a little dumb, but what do you mean by that..?
Posted 10:14 11th October 2012
Kiwiinaus says...
Dream on white boy
Posted 10:43 10th October 2012
APV1 says...
@ KiwiJoe - I love the idea of you eating a raw haggis, but let's be honest here, they're tough to catch. That's why they're such a delicacy.
And if you corner a wounded one, or get between a mother haggis and her babies, God help you. Vicious little buggers, I promise you.
Posted 13:03 08th October 2012
Nicholas41 says...
rugby_rockstar says that NZ are close to untouchable at the moment, as they amost always are. There are one or four teams in the world at the moment who, on a very, very good day, could just pressure them enough to cause an upset. But not the Scots, surely...
Posted 09:54 08th October 2012
porridge_time says...
Just can't see Scotland causing AB's any problems whatsoever... but I do have a sneaky feeling that they might have seen something that could give them hope against the Boks.
Posted 00:13 08th October 2012
swiwi says...
Scotland need to concentrate on beating Italy first...
Posted 18:42 07th October 2012
trianglechoke says...
Better to say nothing and speak with your actions, than open your mouth and appear as a fool! Ross Ford by opening his mouth has ensured that the All Blacks will be waiting to silence him!
Posted 18:17 07th October 2012
cuw3100 says...
Belief is one thing but being cocky is another.
Maybe the Scotts need to look at their 6 Nations' neighbors when making such calls.
After a close 2nd test vs MIB the Irish were bullish, saying now is the time if ever they will beat the All Blacks. and everyone knows the scoreline of the 3rd test.
And some time back the Welsh banned the HAKA at Mil Stadium and the MIB played American Footy that night, going into hits like men possessed.
As we say in Asia " never pull the tail of a sleeping tiger!"
Posted 09:02 07th October 2012
Darth_Hans says...
I love the All Blacks, but in my lifetime I hope to see:
Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Argentina - to each beat the All Blacks... Just not during World Cup please... It will be great for sport. One day, they will all achieve it..
Posted 08:32 07th October 2012
jonesy2 says...
it was a good laugh but based on facts though, they actually cannot beat the all blacks, pure and simple.
Posted 05:50 07th October 2012
porridge_time says...
Would say that although Scotland appear to be getting better they are more than a country mile away from beating this AB side... but nothing wrong with a bit of positive thinking I suppose.
Having just watched the AB's take SA to the cleaners I just cannot see Scotland or any of the NH sides getting near them.
Posted 03:10 07th October 2012
wfgwoody says...
The fact that this is a stand alone news article kinda drives the point that Scotland has no shot. It is kinda like the guy that comes up to the huge bully and the first thing out of his mouth is "I am not scared of you". Dam right he is scared out of his mind! The AB's could spot the Scots 50 points, on a dry, running track and still win by ten. I know emotionally Scotland will beat the All Blacks at some point. And I will deal with it at the time. But I might be driving a flying car by then with people actually living on mars.
Posted 01:29 07th October 2012
new_j4a says...
....not even if the ABs gave them a 30 point handicap....or maybe he means the Kiwi U20s? Nah, couldn't even beat them. He must be getting too much of the whiskey fumes.
Posted 21:58 06th October 2012
KiwiJoe says...
I f Scotland do win, I,ll eat a raw haggis, with it,s arms and legs still on.
Scotland were a pretty good team once, hope they can get to that level again, I still have my Scotland Grand Slam jersey from 1984 and they have been close a couple of times
Not a hope in 2012 though.
Posted 21:57 06th October 2012