Gregor Townsend believes that the way Scotland failed to turn a period of domination against Samoa into a convincing win could yet be turned to his team’s advantage as they prepare for the biggest challenge in the global game.
On the face of it a six point victory over the world’s 16th ranked side suggests that it is all but impossible for the Scots to be competitive against a team that made something of a statement in sweeping France aside 38-18 on the same day.
However, following his first match at BT Murrayfield as the national team’s head coach, Townsend said that the way in which Scotland allowed Samoa to come back into the match after trailing 32-10 early in the second half, can help ensure that the players understand how much work they have to do.
“We’ve seen that before when a team wins not playing to their best, it certainly sharpens the training,” he said.
“I think we’d have had that anyway with our opposition this week. We’ll have to be at our very best, or NZ will score points against us, they score points against any defence. To lower our standards in defence will be disappointing for all of us, coaches and players. The players take pride in the way they defend, we’ll have to be better next week.”
Stuart Hogg, Scotland’s latest talismanic full-back who set them on what should have been their way to a more convincing win with a try in little more than 90 seconds on Saturday, reinforced that message, saying he and his team-mates would renew their focus in the knowledge of what they face next.
“We are fully aware of what the all Blacks are capable of (but) we will just concentrate on ourselves and make sure we get our game plan spot-on and get the basic things right,” he said. “That’s half the battle. It’s going to be one hell of a challenge next week. We will enjoy this victory, but come Monday we get back on the horse and get going again.”
Hogg would have faced the Kiwis in the summer, having been pencilled into coach Warren Gatland’s starting Test line-up before injury ended his tour with the British & Irish Lions, but having ultimately watched from afar as the Lions came from behind to draw that series, he expressed relish at the prospect of making history on Saturday.
“We are not going out there to stand back and watch and admire the All Blacks,” he said. “We want to be in a position to shut them down defensively. If we don’t it will be a long day. What better opportunity than to play the All Blacks at home?”
It is meanwhile expected to be confirmed today that the arm injury which ended tighthead prop WP Nel’s involvement on Saturday has ruled him out of the remaining autumn Tests.
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