Finn Russell set for 96th Scotland cap against the All Blacks

Finn Russell is set to earn his 96th cap for Scotland against the All Blacks. Ahead of the Nations Championship meeting at Murrayfield, the fly-half is preparing for another attempt to end Scotland’s run of defeats by New Zealand, while voicing his frustration at repeated questions about the end of his career.

Concern among Scotland supporters about what the team will look like without Russell has kept those questions in circulation for years. The player, however, believes he still has plenty to achieve. He has won titles at Glasgow Warriors and Bath, reached a European final with Racing 92, and been on three Lions tours. Saturday’s match will also be his 100th international when Scotland and Lions Tests are counted together.

Russell has faced the All Blacks three times before, suffering three narrow defeats. He believes those experiences have made Scotland better. Saturday will be only his fourth chance to play New Zealand in 12 and a half years of international rugby, a rarity he links to the way the international Test calendar was previously organised.

The 34-year-old joked about the questions surrounding his age: « I’m only 34 – you’d think I’m 44. » He says he feels good and is going into the season fresher mentally and physically. Reflecting on the year after the Lions, he also noted that it can take more out of players than people expect, mentally, physically and emotionally, and that matching the previous season’s level after a long campaign is difficult.

For Scotland, the challenge is to turn chances into results. During the summer, the team scored seven tries against Argentina in Cordoba. The following week, despite losing to South Africa, Scotland ran in four tries in Pretoria and gave the world champions a serious scare. Russell believes Scotland executed well when reaching Argentina’s 22, but was less effective against South Africa: « How to capitalise and convert when you get into the 22 is probably the main growth that we need to have. »

« We’ve definitely got the belief, but it’s about going in and delivering on the field and getting the results, » he said. Russell is excited to face the All Blacks again at Murrayfield and said Scotland would study their recent matches against South Africa and Australia. After Saturday, the team will have another match in Dunedin before the next Rugby World Cup. A win at Murrayfield would allow Scotland to travel with its run against the All Blacks already behind it.