Chalmers says Scots should be positive

Published on Monday 3 November 2008 08:56

SCOTLAND rugby coach Frank Hadden is being urged to put faith in Edinburgh's midfield as he prepares to unveil a line-up to go in search of a first-ever All Blacks scalp at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The call comes from former Scotland and Edinburgh Reivers stand-off Craig Chalmers ahead of tomorrow's team announcement.

Chalmers, capped 60 times and a British and Irish Lion, said: "I would keep Phil Godman at stand-off because you have to be really positive against the All Blacks.

"You have to try to take them on by scoring tries. In a horses for courses move I'd pick Godman against New Zealand with Dan Parks perhaps being more suited to playing South Africa (the following weekend)."

Clearly setting great store by understandings developed at Edinburgh, Chalmers says that Ben Cairns and Nick De Luca should fill the centre positions.

There will inevitably be one back-line change from the team that defeated Argentina 26-14 in Buenos Aires last time out with centre Graeme Morrison injured.

So, according to Chalmers, the decision is clear cut, with De Luca taking over from Glaswegian Morrison.

"I'd have Cairns and De Luca in as well," said Chalmers, who believes they can ask questions of the Tri Nations champions especially alongside Godman who ousted Parks in South America.

"New Zealand can be slightly vulnerable, they are coming off the back of a long, hard season.

"Scotland are not going to beat New Zealand by kicking because they are always pretty disciplined. You have to pick a team capable of scoring tries and if you don't go out thinking you can you will get a tanking."

Chalmers, speaking at the announcement of Scotland's clubs' international set-up where he was unveiled as a selector, believes a first win in 27 attempts against New Zealand is possible despite key dangers

He said: "Scotland will have a game plan to shut down the likes of Dan Carter and Joe Rokocoko and the rest of the fantastic players they produce."

However, Chalmers insisted: "New Zealand are coming off the back of a hard season and have lost players to European clubs. It's a tough ask, but the talent is out there."