Scotland to play injured star lock against All Blacks
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Richie Gray during Scotlands 13-12 defeat to Argentina in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Photo by Getty Images.
Morgan Piek – Scotland have named their team to take on the All Blacks at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon. The most notable inclusion is that of their stalwart lock Richie Gray. Gray is still considered to be injured and may be seen as a bold move by the Scots to include him.
Earlier this year Scotland were deemed to be the most successful of the Home Nations when they were able to shock the Wallabies on a drenched Hunter Stadium pitch in Newcastle, Australia. The tartan-clad men then went on to beat Fiji before scrapping a hard fought victory over Samoa.
Jim Hamilton, who missed the tour to Australasia because of disciplinary issues while playing for Gloucester returns to partner Grey at lock.
Geoff Cross comes in at prop to replace Euan Murray, Murray is not available to play due to his religious beliefs. While Kelly Brown gets recalled to the Scottish National team for his 50th cap and his first as captain.
In the backs centre Nick de Luca and scrumhalf Mike Blair replace the injured pair of Joe Ansbro and Chris Cusiter.
In the 28 Tests between Scotland and New Zealand, the Scots have not been able to notch up a single victory over the past 107 years. Their best results against the All Blacks came in 1964 and 1983 when they drew 0-0 and 25-25 respectively at Murrayfield.
The Scotland team is as follows:
15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Sean Lamont, 13. Nick De Luca, 12. Matt Scott, 11. Tim Visser, 10. Greig Laidlaw, 9. Mike Blair, 1. Ryan Grant, 2. Ross Ford, 3. Geoff Cross, 4. Richie Gray, 5. Jim Hamilton, 6. Alasdair Strokosch, 7. Ross Rennie, 8. Kelly Brown.
Replacements:
16. Scott Lawson, 17. Allan Jacobsen, 18. Kyle Traynor, 19. Alastair Kellock, 20. David Denton, 21. Henry Pyrgos, 22. Ruaridh Jackson.
