Townsend Previews Scotland Test Against All Blacks
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend faces former assistant Mike Blair, now coaching the All Blacks, in a match where Scotland have never won.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend previewed the upcoming test against New Zealand, where Mike Blair, his former assistant, now serves as All Blacks opposition coach. Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in 33 tests, though recent meetings have been close.
Why it matters
The last five meetings between the two sides were decided by eight points or fewer, and Scotland's most recent match ended 25-17 after a comeback from a 17-point deficit. For readers following Scotland's rugby team, the contest offers a chance to measure progress against one of the sport's strongest opponents.
Scotland have a record of 0 wins, 31 losses and 2 draws in 33 tests against the All Blacks, though the last five meetings were decided by eight points or fewer. The most recent match ended 25-17 after Scotland fought back from a 17-point deficit to level at 17-all.
The players
Gregor Townsend
Scotland's head coach, who has led the national team through its recent close contests with the All Blacks.
Mike Blair
A former Scotland assistant who later coached Edinburgh and the Kobe Steelers, and who now serves as All Blacks opposition coach.
Josh McKay
A 29-year-old player who moved to Scotland five years ago and was called into the national squad for the first time.
The details
Townsend and Blair caught up two or three weeks before the match while Blair was on holiday in New Zealand. Blair, who previously coached Edinburgh for two seasons and worked with Dave Rennie at Kobe Steelers in Japan, signed with the All Blacks staff through the end of the World Cup.
Timeline
Two or three weeks before the match: Townsend and Blair caught up while Blair was on holiday.
Later this month (November 2026): Josh McKay expected to qualify for Scotland on residency.
Season Trajectory
Scotland's record of never having beaten the All Blacks in 33 tests frames each recent close result as a step toward a first victory. The last five meetings, each decided by eight points or fewer, show a competitive trend that Townsend's team is looking to extend.
Scotland's recent results against the All Blacks have included comebacks and narrow margins, so the upcoming match could shape how the team is viewed in the tournament standings. McKay's expected qualification also adds a new option to the squad.
The takeaway
Scotland's close losses to New Zealand suggest the gap is narrowing, and a first win would mark a significant milestone for the team.
What happens next
Josh McKay is expected to qualify for Scotland later this month on residency grounds.
Further reading
For more on the region, explore Australia and New Zealand travel coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NZ Herald.
