Scotland team named to play All Blacks

Nov 16, 2017 - 4:08 PM A fullback seeking redemption and a prop who knows the All Blacks best from a computer game have been named in Scotland's team for the Test at Murrayfield.

Coach Gregor Townsend made two injury-enforced changes to his forward pack for Saturday's clash from the side who beat Samoa 44-38 last week.

Both are in the pack, with Cornell du Preez replacing Ryan Wilson at No.8 and prop Zander Fagerson in for Willem Nel.

There are four new faces on the reserves bench, including loose forward Luke Hamilton and utility back Byron McGuigan, who are both uncapped.

Townsend has been forced to pick a youthful side all-round, with injury having robbed him of numerous top-flight players, most notably halfback/captain Greig Laidlaw and world-class lock Richie Gray.

The raw nature of the side is reflected by comments this week from 21-year-old tighthead Fagerson.

"You grow up watching the All Blacks - I remember playing Jonah Lomu 2011 on the Play Station, you'd give it to him and he'd hand off everyone and score," Fagerson said.

"I've played against the All Blacks under-20s a few times - it'd be a privilege and I'm looking forward to it."

Captain John Barclay, who made his debut against New Zealand at the 2007 World Cup, is the squad's oldest (31) and most experienced (64 caps) player.

Fullback Stuart Hogg and winger Tommy Seymour, who has shaken off a toe injury, both get a shot at the All Blacks after touring New Zealand with this year's British and Irish Lions but failing to win a Test berth.

Classy attacker Hogg, who scored his 17th Test try in 54 Tests against Samoa, was favoured to be fullback in the Lions series.

However, he was forced home prematurely after suffering a freakish facial injury when he ran into a team-mate's elbow against the Crusaders.

The 25-year-old is one of five Scottish players who started in the tense 24-16 loss to the All Blacks in Edinburgh three years ago, a result that continued the hosts' 30-Test winless record against the New Zealanders.

Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Alex Dunbar, Lee Jones, Finn Russell, Ali Price, Cornell du Preez, Hamish Watson, John Barclay (capt), Jonny Gray, Ben Toolis, Zander Fagerson, Stuart McInally, Darryl Marfo. Reserves: George Turner, Jamie Bhatti, Simon Berghan, Grant Gilchrist, Luke Hamilton, Henry Pyrgos, Pete Horne, Byron McGuigan.

Source: AAP