Scottish Rugby

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland scrum coach Pieter de Villiers is optimistic both Zander Fagerson and Finn Russell will be fit to face Argentina at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Fagerson has not played this season as he recuperates from the calf injury that cost him his place on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in the summer.

The Scotland management had been hopeful the Glasgow prop would be fit to face New Zealand last weekend, but he missed that defeat after another setback.

"Zander has been training fully, which is fantastic news," De Villiers said.

"Tomorrow is obviously our biggest training day. We'll see how he holds up and then make a decision from there.

"We're positive that he will make an appearance for us in this tournament at some stage, whether it be this match or the next match [against Tonga]."

Russell went down twice requiring treatment against the All Blacks after suffering knee and ankle injuries, eventually being replaced late in the second half.

"Finn has been training fully as well, so we're optimistic for him to be available," said De Villiers.

"We'll obviously see how things progress. There are still a few days left, but he has trained fully today, so that's great news."

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your questions as Scotland recover from the loss to the All Blacks and get ready to face Argentina at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Rory asked: How long can both Gregor Townsend and this team peddle the party line of "We'll learn from this"? At what point is it simply "that wasn't good enough"? Feels like a mentality block at times.

Tom answered: Let's be honest, everybody connected with the Scotland team was devastated by the defeat.

There was no hiding from the disappointment, no softening of the dejection with chat about making progress. They were completely floored by the loss.

As regards a mentality block, yes, I think that's got something to do with it. They made poor decisions at key times and part of that comes from desperation, I think.

Once they've won one of these monster games I think they'll win a few more in quick order. The first one is always the toughest.

Scott asked: Is this as good as it gets? Even with Ireland off the boil I don't see us beating them, at best third in the Six nations is our ceiling?

Tom answered: Possibly, yes. Second at a push. First, if every star in the sky aligns. Look, the reality here is France are better than Scotland more often than not.

Ireland have been better for years (but they're not in a good place right now). England have been inferior to Scotland for years but that's going to change soon.

England have a seriously strong squad and should - should - go close to winning the Six Nations next year. Scotland are very good, but they're in with some outstanding teams in the Six Nations - world numbers three, four and five.

Third is not success but I'm not sure it's failure in that company, presuming they're really competitive in the games they lose. We all want more for them - and it might come - but there's a lot they need to fix, most of it psychological.

Alasdair asked: Could this latest Scotland loss to the All Blacks herald a positive turning point in the style of Ireland, who, after losing to the ABs in similar heartbreaking fashion in 2013, went on to find success in the Six Nations before defeating NZ for the first time in 2016?

Tom answered: One thing is for sure in my mind - Scotland need to play New Zealand and South Africa a lot more than they have been playing them.

Ireland have beaten the All Blacks five times in the past 10 years because they play them so often - by the end of the autumn they'll have faced the All Blacks 11 times in a decade while Scotland have played them three times.

The new Nations Cup is going to give Scotland regular access to the top nations from the southern hemisphere and that's only a good thing.

More of your questions will be answered on this page on Thursday morning. And for further analysis, listen to the latest episode of the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ewan Ashman says Scotland must win their remaining two matches of the Autumn Nations Series after being denied the big scalp they craved against New Zealand.

Hooker Ashman's try shortly after half-time sparked a Scotland comeback from 17-0 down to level against the All Blacks, but they ultimately fell short as the visitors finished strongly to win 25-17.

Now Gregor Townsend's side take on Argentina at Murrayfield on Sunday before rounding off their campaign against Tonga next week.

"It's massive," Ashman said of this weekend's meeting with the Pumas.

"The next job is that we need to win the rest of our games. The next two games have to be wins, so we'll take the learnings and go out and perform."

Ashman says Scotland will only beat top sides such as New Zealand if they learn to be more ruthless when chances present themselves.

"I think it probably comes down to just not finishing those big opportunities," said the 25-year-old.

"I got held up two or three times, and then when we get into that five yards we have to just be brutal, be clinical.

"The best teams like the All Blacks, they don't have that [problem]. We did all the work, maybe just tried to score a phase early, we have to learn from that and be able to go a few phases in that zone.

"Maintain that focus and get those scores instead of probably trying to score too early and getting held up.

"We need to finish a few more of those chances if we're going to beat great teams like that."

Got any burning questions on Scottish rugby after last weekend's defeat by the All Blacks and before Sunday's match against Argentina?

Our chief sports writer Tom English and reporter Andy Burke are ready to answer them.

Send them in via this link and a selection of answers will be published on this page later in the week.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland lacking 'clutch' in the big moments

Scott Robertson praised Damien McKenzie's "clutch" plays that proved decisive as the All Blacks struck late to break Scottish hearts once again.

It's something that's missing from Scotland's armoury when they come up against the very best sides in the world.

The Scots can mix it with anyone in the Test arena, they have shown that time and again.

However, invariably when it comes to the absolutely critical moments, when a Six Nations campaign or an historic victory against the All Blacks is on the line, they lack the killer instinct.

Scotland's glass ceiling

Gregor Townsend's record against South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland now reads: played 18, lost 18.

On the one hand, you could ask why Scotland, with their meagre resources, should expect to compete with the true Test heavyweights.

But when you consider Argentina, a team of similar quality to Scotland, have managed home and away victories over New Zealand in recent times, we're entitled to expect the occasional win over the big guns.

Belligerent Brown is a Test match animal

Gregor Brown delivered a towering performance to underline he is a coming force in the international arena.

He carried with a ferocity that set the tone for the forwards around him, with Jack Dempsey and Grant Gilchrist coming to the fore in that regard too.

A hybrid of lock and flanker - or 'flock' - his versatility is a huge asset, and on the evidence of Saturday's showing against the All Blacks, Brown will take some shifting from this Scotland team.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland second row Grant Gilchrist says the team are not satisifed with "plucky defeats" and need to learn from key moments in the defeat by New Zealand.

After battling back from 17-0 down to level the score after the break, Scotland could not prevent the All Blacks from stretching clear in the final 10 minutes.

Damian McKenzie's 50-22 kick, try, and penalty proved decisive, as did missed opportunitites from Scotland to score more points.

"We have been in situations before where we know it's going to come down to one moment," Gilchrist said.

"They grabbed it and we didn't have the answers to it and that's disappointing.

"The fact we can go 17-0 down and not panic, stick to the gameplan and go and grab the game like we did in the second half - that's the bit that shows you're a very good team.

"But when it gets to those moments, it's small things.

"One lost lineout and a brilliant piece of play by Damian McKenzie which gives them the territory.

"We've got to the look at the whole game. The missed opportunities in the first half, we shouldn't be 17-0 down.

"The tries they scored, they pick through the middle of the ruck which we spoke about all week, and the try before half time seemed soft to me.

"But even if we had conceded 17 points, we should have had at least 17 of our own. Two held up over the line.

"Those are the moments we've got to reflect back on and be better."

Scotland fans, we asked for your views after Saturday's narrow defeat to New Zealand.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Fraser: A game of two halves and missed chances. Scotland, at times, were sublime. In the second half they roared on to drive and fight but, as with all our national teams, they take us to the edge of the promised cliff of hope and throw us off. Hope needs to be turned into expectation and expectation into delivery.

Graeme: Scoring only seven points in the 30 minutes the All Blacks were down to 14, and having no points on the board at half time, was where this game was won and lost. A typical Scotland performance under Gregor Townsend and I'm sorry to say achieving more won't happen until he's replaced.

Mark: we need to play at that level of consistency game in game out and not just in glamour games. To go toe-to-toe with the All Blacks means you can do that against every other team and then close defeats turn into victories

Adam: Phenomenal game and atmosphere in the stadium, we have not had that for a while! New Zealand were more awesome in defence and had slicker passing and moved the ball around the pitch. Blair Kinghorn sadly should have made that tackle. Whilst Darcy Graham and Pierre Schoeman's attempts to ground the ball at the line were ruthlessly denied. Our set pitch seemed to hold up well.

Stuart: Poor start to go 17 points down, especially the seven points near half-time. The belief was there but the finishing was not for the Scots. All Blacks were hugely relieved at full-time. Great fight back after the break but but you always thought the All Blacks would find a winner.

David: Scotland were simply not clinical enough when the opportunities arose and paid the price for lack of concentration at key moments. Scotland showed that they can compete with the best and did brilliantly to get back to 17-17 but losing one poor lineout in New Zealand's half resulted in losing a try minutes later. No real pleasure in glorious defeat as it should have been a win!

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Scotland and Lions centre Huw Jones: "The damage had been done in the first half but we got back to level and then New Zealand - they've done it so many times - they squeezed the game and their composure was incredible.

"We can't let these opportunities pass us by any longer."

BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English: "Gregor Brown was immense, Rory Hutchinson was outstanding, Jack Dempsey different class.

"You could go through them all. That's the problem - nearly all of them played exceptionally well against a New Zealand side that had three yellow cards and they still didn't win."

New Zealand survived three yellow cards and a second-half onslaught to maintain their unbeaten record against Scotland by edging a game for the ages at Murrayfield.

Read the match report

Have your say on the game

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Scotland coach Gregor Townsend tells Sportsound: "Hard to find the words. Really disappointed. Effort that went in was all character.

"The win was there and we needed to kick on when it was 17-17. Outstanding by us but we need to win these games. We need to make that next step.

"I'd love to play New Zealand next week again, because of what we have learnt from that performance."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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New Zealand captain Ardie Savea says the prospect of losing their unbeaten record has instilled an "appropriate fear" as they bid to overcome a "class" Scotland side at Murrayfield on Saturday.

In 32 meetings across 120 years, the All Blacks have never lost to Scotland, though the last three matches have all been decided by single-digit winning margins.

"You don't want to be the first team [to lose to Scotland], so that puts us on edge a bit," said Savea.

"We understand Scotland's mindset as well and how much it will mean to them. So it builds appropriate fear and we don't want that to happen.

"Scotland are a quality side and I think the last three games we've played it's been within seven or eight points, so it's no easy feat. So we understand the challenge ahead and we're really excited to come here and play

"Scotland are a team of class and they've got world-class players. The majority of them have come from British and Irish Lions, they're seasoned players, so we understand the threat they pose, but also we're prepared for that and we've just got to turn up and action what we're going to say."

Savea highlighted Finn Russell as one of the threats, and was asked how the All Blacks will go about shutting the Scotland fly-half down.

"I don't know if there's a way," said the back-row. "It's the beauty about a real class player like Finn, he's unpredictable.

"He does things no other players can do and I don't think we can prepare, so we've just got to understand what he can bring and just try and shut his time down. But he's a world-class player and I'm really looking forward to playing against him."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has called on his players to step onto the pitch at Murrayfield on Saturday fully believing they will deliver the nation's first ever victory over New Zealand.

The Scots have not beaten the All Blacks in 120 years of trying, losing 30 and drawing two of the 32 meetings between the sides.

Saturday's fixture also marks 100 years of Murrayfield Stadium, and Tuipulotu wants his team to harness the emotion of the occasion to deliver a famous win.

"I spoke to the boys about it before, that 60,000 people are coming to the stadium to watch us on Saturday and it would be a damn shame if we don't believe," said the British and Irish Lions centre.

"I think that's the most important thing, that when we do run out of the tunnel, I look around and I see 22 other guys that believe that we can win this fixture.

"It's also 100 years of Murrayfield, we're wearing this jersey to commemorate all the people that have played before us in this jersey as well.

"So it's bigger than the record against New Zealand, it's also the history of Murrayfield that we're thinking about as well so we understand all the things that come with it."

Last week saw 13 stalwarts of the Scottish game, including former Scotland and Lions international Scott Hastings, inducted into the Scottish Rugby hall of fame.

Tuipulotu says hearing about the glories of Scottish teams past whetted his appetite to taste his own success in a Scotland jersey.

"I was actually at the Scottish hall of fame event, there were a few people that were getting inducted and just to hear the guys that have worn the jersey before, Scott Hastings got up there and talked and I remember it was pretty touching," he said.

"That's what we're striving towards so we understand everything that comes with celebrating the history of our jersey and we're ready to put out a performance that we think shows how much we care."

We asked for your views on Gregor Townsend's team selection and Scotland's chances of beating New Zealand on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

John: Duhan van der Merwe would have had his defensive weaknesses exposed by the All Blacks as they were during the Lions tour of Australia. Kyle Steyn can tackle and take a hit, and can score too. A sensible selection as it is playing a 13 at 13. Attack for 80 mins like we did against the USA, and who knows what might happen, and Murrayfield may well be party central.

Euan: It's a strong XV - we should be going in with higher expectations of a result against the All Blacks than we could have for decades. Townsend has eschewed the glamour of VDM, and even the known quantity of a Glasgow centre pairing, for a stronger defensive line with some unknown variables. I'm feeling bullish, if the wind and referee run in our favour, it feels as close as it's ever been.

Andrew: Scotland need the performance of a generation to beat the ABs, and they have the potential to do so. The last quarter of the game is where I have concern. From 60 mins onwards, the Kiwis found a new gear against the Irish in Chicago. Should be a cracker!

Mark: Looking forward to seeing Rory Hutchinson pairing up with Sione Tuipulotu. Feels like a natural replacement for Huw Jones. Steyn is a big call. However, I don't think VDM has been quite on it this season despite a couple of tries last week. Though the bench feels more of a concern. I see more pace than brawn which could be significant in the later stages. Backing blue though and fingers crossed for a historic win!

Chloe: Deserved selection for Steyn, an in-form winger. Lock selections, apart from Scott Cummings, aren't great. I would've had Brown at five, Fagerson at six, Andy Christie at seven and Max Williamson off the bench. No Zander is huge loss.

Paul: Townsend has been bold with his backline selection, and has got this one right. Rory Hutchinson and Steyn are the men for this one. In the pack, it is no real surprise that Fagerson isn't pitched right back into it, but it's a blow, nevertheless. I still think we're short a heavyweight carrying option in the second row. New Zealand remain a fearsome prospect. Can we do it? There's a puncher's chance, but I'm not putting money on it.

Adam: It's a strong team, I think our best possible team. Steyn is a more complete winger than Duhan who will clearly be disappointed. Brown in for Jamie Ritchie, absolutely, with Josh Bayliss I think we have two really dynamic players into the 23. Anyone who has watched Bayliss as first-choice flanker for Bath keeping English internationals on the bench will realise he is a formidable player.

The teams have been named and the countdown is on for the big one at Murrayfield on Saturday as Scotland host New Zealand.

The BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast provides unmissable build-up as Tom English and Andy Burke discuss Gregor Townsend's selections, plus we hear from New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson and fly-half Beauden Barrett.

Give it a listen here

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Dropping Duhan van der Merwe, Scotland's joint-record try scorer, in favour of Kyle Steyn for the match against New Zealand on Saturday is a huge call from Gregor Townsend but an understandable one.

Nobody offers what Van der Merwe does in an attack, but defensively and under the high ball he can be suspect.

Steyn is the more rounded player and while he does not produce the fireworks of Van der Merwe, he will bring aerial ability and defensive nous, and his own try return at Test level is very good.

The glaring area of concern is at tighthead. The failure of Zander Fagerson to recover from injury in time to face the All Blacks is a grievous blow.

D'Arcy Rae is simply not at Fagerson's level and has little experience in the Test arena, certainly in games of this magnitude.

The Edinburgh prop will need to find a level he has never done before, much like when Darryl Marfo emerged from nowhere amid a front-row injury crisis to face the All Blacks in 2017 and let nobody down.

Rae's one and only job will be to keep up his side of the scrum. Easier said than done against the power of Ethan de Groot.

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has been talking to the media before his side's Test against New Zealand.

Here are the best bits from his press conference:

• On the decision to select Kyle Steyn ahead of Duhan van der Merwe, Townsend says it is a "reward" for Steyn's impressive form.

• Van der Merwe "parked the disappointment" quickly and trained well this week despite his non-selection.

• Zander Fagerson came close to being available, but his knee "wasn't 100% right" for this game. Townsend hopes he will play a part in the autumn internationals.

• Townsend backed "experienced" D'Arcy Rae to fill Fagerson's shoes and pointed out that Edinburgh have scrummaged well this season.

• Ready for one of the biggest challenges in world rugby and says Scotland have to deliver "close to our best performance".

• Townsend hopes referee Nic Berry "doesn't have to be the centre of attention".

Gregor Townsend has named his Scotland team to face New Zealand, with Duhan van der Merwe dropped in favour of Kyle Steyn.

Zander Fagerson misses out after losing his fitness battle - D'Arcy Rae continues at tight-head - while established stars Finn Russell and Blair Kinghorn return to the XV.

Has Townsend got his team selection right for this mouthwatering showdown? And can Scotland finally beat the All Blacks after 120 years of trying?

Let us know your thoughts on the line-up and give us your predictions for the game here.