Overview
- Captain Scott Barrett is unavailable for Murrayfield after sustaining a deep leg laceration in Chicago that required multiple stitches.
- Jordie Barrett will miss the Scotland match and return to New Zealand for rehabilitation after scans confirmed a high‑ankle injury and a minor knee issue.
- With second‑row resources already thinned by pre‑tour injuries to Tupou Vaa’i and Patrick Tuipulotu, the All Blacks have called up Blues lock Josh Beehre as cover.
- Josh Lord, who impressed off the bench against Ireland, is viewed as a likely starter alongside Fabian Holland, with a midfield reshuffle expected after Jordie’s exit.
- New Zealand beat Ireland 26‑13 despite losing both Barretts early and now turn to Murrayfield, where they are 30 wins and two draws all‑time against Scotland, who arrive off an 85‑0 win over the United States.