Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Sunday 9 November, 4.15am
(AEDT)Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
TV: Fox Sports 3 from 4.10am
Bolstered by victories over England and Argentina already this year, Scotland are hopeful of completing a memorable hat-trick with a historic first win over New Zealand.
While the All Blacks have named an experience-light XV for the second match in a run of five Tests on consecutive weekends, Scotland have seen their pack stiffened by the return of three highly experienced competitors.
Former captain Jason White, Perpignan's Nathan Hines and former Lions tourist Simon Taylor have all been around the block a few times in rugby terms and acquired the scars to prove it.
Skipper Mike Blair believes their re-integration could leave the Scots with the ideal blend to pull off an upset against the Tri-Nations champions.
Blair marshalled his troops brilliantly as Scotland pulled off a 26-14 win over the Pumas in Buenos Aires in June and the scrum-half is anticipating a step up from that level of performance at Murrayfield.
"The lads that went out to Argentina did a fantastic job and those that have kept their places can only be helped by the older and wiser players we have coming in for this one," Blair said.
"We know how tough it is going to be and the fact that they have one or two players looking to make a name for themselves could make it harder for us.
"But having the older guys like Jason, Nathan and Simon back will hopefully bring a calming influence and their experience will rub off on the younger players."
Scotland's chances of claiming a first win over New Zealand in what will be their 27th attempt will hinge on the extent to which their pack can keep their opponents on the back foot, and much could depend on the performance of White, whose selection represents something of a gamble by coach Frank Hadden.
The flanker, once regarded as one of the biggest hitters in world rugby, has played just once for his English club Sale in the past month after nearly two years of serious injury problems.
Hadden defended his decision to go with White, at the expense of Alasdair Strokosch, on the grounds that the former captain's experience could be crucial at set-piece plays.
"That was vital for us - making sure we don't just have a stable platform but get the quality of delivery from the scrum and lineout and put pressure on the All Blacks," Hadden explained.
New Zealand will start with only three survivors from last weekend's Bledisloe Cup win over Australian in Hong Kong, with an average age of just under 25 and three newcomers to the international stage: prop Jamie Mackintosh, back rower Liam Messam and Canterbury flanker Kieran Read.
The youthful line-up is peppered with some experienced campaigners however, among them Fiji-born winger Joe Rokocoko, who as a result of wrist and hamstring injuries, has not played for New Zealand since last year's World Cup quarter-final defeat by France.
"Everything about the past year - that defeat and the injuries - I've pretty much put to the back of my mind," Rokocoko said. "It feels like I'm making my debut again and I'm excited about playing.
"We've got a lot of young buys and that brings excitement and enthusiasm. I'm only 25 myself and I've missed not being in the squad."
Scotland can safely take that as a warning.
Scotland: Chris Paterson; Thom Evans, Ben Cairns, Nick de Luca, Sean Lamont; Phil Godman, Mike Blair (capt); Simon Taylor, John Barclay, Jason White; Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines; Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen. Res: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Matt Mustchin, Scott Gray, Rory Lawson, Dan Parks, Hugo Southwell.
New Zealand: Isaia Toeava; Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko; Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu; Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Kieran Read; Ali Williams, Anthony Boric; John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (capt), Jamie Mackintosh. Res: Corey Flynn, Neemia Tialata, Ross Filipo, Richie McCaw, Andy Ellis, Dan Carter, Cory Jane
Last five matches:
Scotland 0 New Zealand 40, Edinburgh, 2007
Scotland 10 New Zealand 29, Edinburgh, 2005
Scotland 6, New Zealand 37, Edinburgh, 2001
New Zealand 48 Scotland 14, Auckland, 2000
New Zealand 69 Scotland 20, Dunedin, 2000
