Scotland ready to rattle All Blacks

Thu, Nov 16, 2017, 3:30 AM
AAP
by AAP
Ben Toolis can't wait to tackle New Zealand. Photo: Getty Images
Ben Toolis can't wait to tackle New Zealand. Photo: Getty Images

Australian-born Scotland lock Ben Toolis insists there are weaknesses in New Zealand's game ahead of their Murrayfield showdown.

The All Blacks visit Edinburgh for their penultimate fixture of a five-match northern hemisphere tour, and pose a daunting test for the hosts.

The Dark Blues have not beaten New Zealand in the 112-year history of the fixture, but will be looking to improve on a 44-38 win over Samoa last weekend that showed glimpses of what Gregor Townsend's side are capable of.

Scotland ran in six tries on the day, and Toolis is confident they will cause problems for the world's top-ranked side.

"There's always something to exploit," he said.

Ben Toolis believes Scotland can match it with New Zealand. Photo: Getty Images"They have lost to a few teams in the last few years - Australia beat them, South Africa beat them and Ireland beat them last year for the first time - so there are always areas of the game to do damage, and we're doing that.

"I think we will have a great opportunity to score points and put them under pressure."

Toolis, who was born in Brisbane before moving to play for Edinburgh in 2013, is relishing the opportunity to test himself against the defending world champions.

"Everyone knows what kind of side they are and the fact we get to play them on our home turf is exciting," he said. "I think it's starting to sink in now.

"The focus is on the All Blacks this weekend and there's no better job in the world this week so the boys are really looking forward to it."

On the special feeling of playing against Samoa last Saturday and earning his fifth cap, he added: "It was my first start at Murrayfield and I loved every minute of it.

"You speak to the boys and you start to understand why Murrayfield is such a special place to play and it was.

"It was great to have my family and my parents over. Every moment you put that jersey on for Scotland is an amazing feeling."

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