Bill Lothian: All Black day for Scots as lack of tours show how far we have fallen

BILL LOTHIAN gives his view on the Scotland set-up

A BOAST by former coach Ian McGeechan that there are so many similarities between two nations that All Blacks have become "Scots who have learned how to win" has a hollow ring today in rugby circles.

Having undertaken nine Tests in New Zealand in 29 years (including a World Cup quarter final) it now appears the relationship has nose-dived with no full tour taking place in the next ten years according to the just-published IRB schedule.

Scotland's record against the All Blacks reads like a Timeform rating for a Clydesdale (25 losses, two defeats) but of those meetings one, surely, stands out for reasons other than form.

In a 2007 World Cup pool match at Murrayfield the Scots effectively fielded reserves to protect players for a perceived more important clash next up. It was an insult not only to fans, some of whom had been asked to pay a three-figure sum, and also kiwi opponents who won 40-0 in a shamefully facile "encounter". Scottish rugby let itself down.

Yes, Scotland achieved their quarter-final "goal" but at what cost today? Arguably that is what did for New Zealand's Cup chances as they entered key ties under-cooked and if it hasn't been forgotten in the "land of the long white cloud" in confirming tour schedules who can blame them?

What the Scots forgot is that when sport isn't played to win it becomes a waste of time. Ironically, Scotland go to New Zealand for the 2011 World Cup with more than winning in mind; bridge building is now the name of the game.