Over the past week, Scotland’s players have drawn inspiration from two elite athletes who know what it takes to reach the summit and raise the Saltire at the top.
Double Olympic swimming champion Duncan Scott has visited the camp to share stories from his own career.
They have also heard from Josh Kerr, the middle-distance star who set a new mile world record earlier this year before claiming Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow.
“It’s brilliant to spend time with Scottish athletes who have dominated their sports,” Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu said. “They have reached the top of the mountain.”
“The more we can do that — surround ourselves with people who have already walked this path and tried to become the first of their kind — the more valuable it is.”
“On the Lions tour, I remember Faz — Andy Farrell, the head coach — bringing Katie Taylor, the Irish world champion boxer, in to speak to us. Hearing how she handled those huge pressure moments was incredibly valuable because that is ultimately what elite sport is about.”
“There are moments when the pressure is enormous, and you want to hear from people who have faced them before. The more we can learn from and spend time around athletes like that, the better.”
Beating the All Blacks would be the finest result of Townsend’s nine years in charge of Scots
The peak confronting Tuipulotu and his team-mates at Murrayfield this afternoon has stood untouched for 121 years. Before Scotland can even begin the climb, they must first face the Haka.
No Scotland team has ever conquered it. On recent attempts, they have come close enough to see the summit, only to lose their footing before reaching it.
That is the task awaiting Scotland today. Gregor Townsend was part of the Lions squad touring South Africa in 1997 when Jim Telfer delivered his famous Everest speech.
For Scotland, defeating the All Blacks represents their own Everest. Can they finally make it to the top, or will this become another chapter in a story of glorious failure?
When New Zealand arrived at Murrayfield 12 months ago, many dismissed the suggestion that they could be beaten — including plenty of Scotland supporters. “Yes, but they’re still the All Blacks…”
Those reactions revealed something deeper about Scottish sport: a persistent reluctance to move beyond the underdog mentality.
Kyle Steyn, Finn Russell and Rory Sutherland prepare for the New Zealand clash
It can seem as though we are conditioned to believe Scotland cannot defeat a team with a grander history and greater reputation, regardless of that opponent’s current form.
New Zealand ultimately prevailed 25-17 last year, winning through a superb late try from Damian McKenzie, who twisted his body into an extraordinary angle to reach the line.
Most ordinary players would have required spinal surgery after attempting such a move. It was a remarkable finish from a world-class talent.
Even so, that All Blacks side was far from vintage.
The following week, they were beaten 33-19 by England at Twickenham.
It was the closing phase of Scott Robertson’s reign, with the All Blacks having lost their identity and become embroiled in internal disputes.
Scotland’s sense of a missed opportunity was impossible to ignore. Was that their greatest chance to beat New Zealand? Quite possibly.
Whether this group has allowed that opportunity to pass for good will only become clear with time.
This afternoon’s meeting at Murrayfield will offer an important indication of where both sides are heading — not only in the Nations Championship, but also towards next year’s World Cup.
Scotland skipper Sione Tuipuloto was delighted to meet champion runner Josh Kerr
There is no doubt that New Zealand are a substantially stronger side than they were 12 months ago. Under Dave Rennie, they have been revitalised, winning 10 of their 13 matches since he took charge.
Their only defeats have come against South Africa. Working alongside Mike Blair, Rennie has restored the All Blacks’ traditional identity: aggressive, ambitious, fast, precise and packed with extraordinary skill.
“When I was growing up, the All Blacks represented greatness,” Tuipulotu said. “I grew up in Australia, and I can’t remember seeing the Wallabies beat them when I was a kid.”
“Their dominance, particularly when I was a teenager watching them, was extraordinary.”
“The team has changed a lot. The side I watched in 2015 is still being discussed as one of the greatest teams ever.”
“The All Blacks always carry the expectations that come with what the team means to New Zealand. They are playing a hugely exciting brand of rugby now, and I fully understand the quality of the side arriving at Murrayfield this weekend.”
Scotland made a disastrous start in last year’s fixture, falling 17-0 behind before battling back to draw level at 17-17.
“Starting well matters in every Test match,” Tuipulotu said. “New Zealand will understand that too. They know they have made strong starts against us in the last two meetings.”
“The opening 20 minutes will be huge, but we also know the match will not necessarily be decided there. We will need to produce a complete performance across all 80 minutes.”
Unlike last year, it would be dangerously optimistic to expect this All Blacks team to suffer another collapse.
For one thing, they are a far better outfit than they were 12 months ago. They also have a points difference to protect in their pursuit of the Nations Championship.
Kyle Steyn and Rory Sutherland are ready for whatever All Blacks throw at them
They have made clear that winning this competition is a major objective. This is no experimental tour of the northern hemisphere. Rennie has selected his strongest available side, and New Zealand will attack with full intent. Scotland must be ready to absorb everything that comes their way.
The All Blacks have also been affected by tragedy this week following the sudden death of their head of security, Logan Cadwallader, at the team’s hotel in Edinburgh.
Such grief can bring a group together. New Zealand will wear changed white jerseys featuring a poppy and black armbands, and they will be determined to secure a victory in memory of a deeply respected member of their camp.
The statistics make grim reading for Scotland: 33 meetings with New Zealand and no victories. Ending that run appears an even tougher proposition than it did a year ago.
Yet Townsend’s team have shown they can defy expectations. France discovered that at Murrayfield in the Six Nations earlier this year, and Scotland will need another performance of that calibre.
If they can produce their best rugby, beating the All Blacks would unquestionably be the finest achievement of Townsend’s nine-year tenure.
