Overview
- Head coach Scott Robertson confirmed both the captain, Scott Barrett, and midfielder Jordie Barrett will miss Saturday’s match at Murrayfield.
- Scott Barrett left Chicago with a deep leg laceration needing about a dozen stitches, while Jordie sustained a high-ankle issue and underwent a scan in Edinburgh.
- Blues lock Josh Beehre has joined as training cover after pre-tour injuries to Tupou Vaa’i and Patrick Tuipulotu further depleted New Zealand’s second-row options.
- Josh Lord is likely to start alongside Fabian Holland, and midfield reshuffles could involve Leicester Fainga’anuku and Quinn Tupaea, with other centre options available.
- Scotland, coming off an 85-0 win over the USA and encouraged by a tight 2022 meeting, seek a first-ever win over New Zealand as the All Blacks pursue a home-nations Grand Slam and plan to select their strongest team.