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Scotland captain Tuipulotu bids for landmark win over All Blacks / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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Scotland captain Tuipulotu bids for landmark win over All Blacks
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu says self-belief holds the key to the team's quest to mark 100 years of Murrayfield with a long-awaited first win over rugby giants New Zealand on Saturday.
The Scots have never beaten New Zealand in 32 attempts over the past 120 years, with their best results two Murrayfield draws -- 0-0 in 1964 and a 25-25 thriller in 1983.
Australia-born skipper Tuipulotu needs no reminding of the significance of a victory over the All Blacks on a day when Scotland wear their 'Murrayfield 100' kit designed specially to commemorate the centenary of the national rugby stadium in Edinburgh.
"It's massive," he said. "When I was growing up in Australia there weren't many times we beat the All Blacks, but now I'm over here we understand how big an occasion this is. I still think the All Blacks are a big part of this sport and playing them is always a massive opportunity.
"I think the feeling in the changing room is excitement to go out and play these guys. We understand what type of team they are and what they bring but we also understand the type of team we are and what we've been building towards."
Tuipulotu added: "I spoke to the boys before about how there are 60,000 people coming to the stadium to watch us and it'd be a damn shame if we don't believe.
"I think that's the most important thing, that when we run out of the tunnel that I look around and I see 22 other guys that believe we can win this fixture.
"It's also 100 years of Murrayfield –- we're wearing this (shirt) to commemorate all the people that have played before us in this jersey so it's bigger than the record against New Zealand, it's also the history of Murrayfield that we're thinking about."
Tuipulotu is preparing to play for Scotland for the first time in almost a year after missing the Six Nations due to injury and the ensuing tour due his involvement in the British and Irish Lions' series win in Australia.
The centre hopes painful memories of Scotland's last match against New Zealand in 2022, when they led 23-14 before losing 31-23 can yet prove beneficial to his side, with 10 survivors from that match in coach Gregor Townsend's matchday 23 this weekend.
"I think it's more just the experience, being a little bit more battle-hardened and understanding that around 60-70 minutes if we're good enough, that the game will be up for grabs," said Tuipulotu.
"There are lessons we've learnt maybe during the Six Nations over the past couple of years and also last autumn against Australia and South Africa of where we need to be.
"I think that's the most important thing, of the group knowing what it's going to take, and it's going to be up to us to deliver on that tomorrow (Saturday)."
Z.Phillips--SFF
