GREGOR TOWNSEND is adamant that Scotland won’t suffer from any kind of inferiority complex when they go chasing an historic victory over New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in 33 previous attempts, a barren run which spans over 120 years.

They have fallen agonisingly short on the last few occasions, the most recent of which saw them denied by a late Damian McKenzie try last year as New Zealand won 25-17.

The All Blacks have been rejuvenated over the past six months or so since Dave Rennie took charge as head coach and they arrive in Edinburgh as one of the form teams in world rugby.

Townsend, who has recalled Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones to the starting XV as well as picking Kyle Rowe ahead of Blair Kinghorn at full-back, admits New Zealand hold iconic status in the sport. But he flatly rejected any suggestions that Scotland will be overawed by the occasion or any sense of aura around their opponents, pointing to the fact his team have pushed them all the way three times on his watch.

‘I don’t believe there is [an aura issue] because the evidence is there of how competitive the games have been,’ said the Scotland head coach.

‘There have been actions in the last 15-20 minutes of those games that have meant we’ve not won. Last year, it was more about us not taking our opportunities.

‘The middle game (in 2022, a 31-23 win for New Zealand), I thought their bench was outstanding. They were definitely deserved winners.

‘In that first game in 2017 (a 22-17 win for New Zealand), we were very close to scoring a try at the end. It would have been great if we’d managed to score in the corner.

‘The game last year, it was nothing to do with aura. It was just about us not completing on a couple of occasions when we had those opportunities. We also needed to start the match better.

‘It would help if we’re not 17-0 down this year. New Zealand are a side in good form, they’ll go at it right from the start, so we need to make sure we do that as well.

‘I think the fact that we have played them recently, that helps. You play France every year so they become a familiar opponent.

‘New Zealand should be a familiar opponent over the next year or two because we’re going to play them again in 12 months’ time. Who knows, we might play them again in three weeks’ time [in the finals of the Nations Championship].

‘Things like the Haka, the All Black image, players would have grown up watching that. A lot of people in sport know the All Blacks as the iconic rugby team but our players have played against them so that will help.

‘The atmosphere for this game over the last few years has been amazing, sometimes for different reasons, with Doddie (Weir) being at the game in 2017 with his family. But I also think the way the two teams play, it sets up for open rugby and I think our supporters appreciate when the All Blacks come, but also they appreciate how we play against them.’

The All Blacks have named their strongest possible team for what promises to be another thrilling Test match at a sold-out Murrayfield.

After losing their way a little under Scott Robertson, they have been back to their scintillating best under the guidance of Rennie and their new attack coach Mike Blair.

On the change of style, Townsend added: ‘It’s a different New Zealand team. It’s a team that is playing much more ambitious rugby.

‘They’re in form, they’re cohesive. We’re going to have to find ways to win, find ways to stay in the fight because they’ll have a lot of possession, too.

‘But I do think that the majority of the team have now played the All Blacks at least once. A lot of them just played 12 months ago and that should help us.

‘We can see that All Blacks identity in the last few games. They are a proper All Blacks team who move the ball quickly.’