Rugby: Andy Robinson is relishing All Blacks tussle

Published on Wednesday 16 December 2009 10:32

SCOTLAND rugby coach Andy Robinson has welcomed a 2010 international schedule which includes a visit to Murrayfield from New Zealand.

The Scots haven't beaten the All Blacks in 27 meetings (there have been two draws) and it is the missing piece on the jigsaw so far as scalps are concerned.

Robinson said: "Obviously there is a lot of rugby to go on beforehand but the players were inspired to be the first team to beat Australia since 1982 this season. So there will be a special opportunity to be the first Scotsmen to beat New Zealand in a Scottish shirt."

Robinson's upbeat assessment helped lighten an SRU briefing at Murrayfield in which the next Autumn schedule, also featuring South Africa and Samoa, stood out amongst talk of difficult broadcast and sponsorship negotiations ahead. Other items under discussion included the scheduled unavailability of Lions prop Euan Murray for the next-up meeting with France because his religious beliefs conflict with the Sunday scheduling on 7 February.

Robinson, who made clear he respected the player's decision, spoke also of prospects for Edinburgh reversing last weekend's Heineken Cup defeat by Bath when the teams meet again at Murrayfield on Saturday. Having attended last week's match, he said: "Edinburgh can win. They can take a lot of heart out of their performance."