Autumn Internationals: Scotland name unchanged side for New Zealand test
Thursday 13 November 2014 14:35, UK
Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has kept the same starting XV that beat Argentina last week for Saturday's clash with New Zealand at Murrayfield.
The Scots registered an encouraging 41-31 win over the Pumas in Cotter's home debut and the Kiwi coach will be hoping for more of the same when they take on his world-champion compatriots.
Greig Laidlaw, man of the match against Argentina, will again skipper the side from scrum-half, while New Zealand-born duo Sean Maitland and Blair Cowan retain their positions as they face the All Blacks for the first time.
"Last weekend we had the ball and looked dangerous, and showed great character to keep faith and confidence in our attacking philosophy," said Cotter.
"I really enjoyed watching the players play for each other against Argentina. They picked themselves up time and time again and encouraged each other to keep on working for our collective cause.
Developing
"It was fantastic to see, as was our ability to get over the line and score tries, all of which contributed to a strong case for reselection.
"We showed last weekend that we're developing an attack that can cause opposition teams problems. If we can force the All Blacks into making errors then we can give ourselves a chance."
Fresh off the back of their 24-21 victory over England at Twickenham, the All Blacks will look to extend their formidable record against Scotland. In 29 matches between the two nations they have only failed to win on two occasions, drawing in 1964 and 1983.
For the visitors, Dan Carter has been included in the squad which contains a dozen changes to the 23-man pool that edged past England last weekend.
Captain Richie McCaw will play blindside flanker for the first time in his Test career, allowing Sam Cane a rare chance on the open-side flank.
And James Parsons will make an unexpected Test debut after being called into the touring squad as a replacement for injured Nathan Harris.
Team: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (Capt); 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Rob Harley, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Adam Ashe.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Johnnie Beattie, 21 Chris Cusiter, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Sean Lamont.
