Scotland coach Steve McCormack hopes defending champions New Zealand “have an off day” in their World Cup quarter-final clash.
The Scots, who won Group C, will meet the Kiwis in Leeds on Friday with a place in the last four at stake.
“We’ll do a bit of work on New Zealand and try to identify some weaknesses but it’s all about making sure we’re prepared,” said McCormack.
“It’s a quarter-final and we’ll certainly have a good go.”
The Bravehearts
qualified for the last eight for the first time
by winning Group C, beating
and
either side of
to finish the group unbeaten with five points from their three matches.
“ On our day we can perform exceptionally well and we hope it’s our dayâ€
Scotland coach Steve McCormack
Scotland will be without forward Dale Ferguson after failing to overturn a two-match ban for a ‘grapple tackle’ on Tui Samoa during last week’s win over the USA.
Ben Fisher is sidelined through injury but first-choice hooker Ian Henderson and centre Kane Linnett return after missing the final group match.
And McCormack remains confident his side can give the world champions a run for their money.
“New Zealand are a quality team and you don’t become world champions by not being a good team,” he said. “They’ve been playing very well in this tournament but the main emphasis has been on ourselves and we’ll prepare like any other game.
“On our day we can perform exceptionally well and hope it’s our day, and the Kiwis have an off day.”
Scotland captain Danny Brough revealed the players celebrated by singing when Tonga did them a favour by beating Italy to ensure the Scots won their group.
“If we’d have gone out we’d have been unbeaten but we now get to roll on into the quarter finals against the Kiwis,” he said.
“We’ve nothing to lose and understand that. We’ve got to go out and enjoy the atmosphere, the crowd and just enjoy playing really.
“We shouldn’t become disheartened if they score a couple of tries, just keep playing until the end.”
Quarter-finals line-up
New Zealand v Scotland
Australia v USA
England v Samoa/France
Samoa/France v Fiji
Ties to be played on 15/16/17 November
Scotland full-back Matthew Russell said playing against a side of the calibre of the world champions was a dream come true.
“The boys were really buzzing for Tonga and to get through to play the Kiwis is really good for us,” he added. “We’re going in as underdogs but know we can beat them.”
New Zealand, who scored 146 points in three games to breeze into the quarter-finals as Group B winners, insist they will not underestimate the Scots.
“Scotland’s whole spine is outstanding,” said lock Elijah Taylor.
“If you watched them against Italy, their halves were kicking really early so we have got to be prepared for that. It will be a good challenge playing against Scotland.”
Scotland squad:
Danny Addy, Sam Barlow, Danny Brough, Brett Carter, Luke Douglas, Ben Hellewell, Andrew Henderson, Ian Henderson, Alex Hurst, Ben Kavanagh, Kane Linnett, Brett Phillips, Matthew Russell, David Scott, Mitchell Stringer, Alex Szostak, Adam Walker, Peter Wallace, Oliver Wilkes.
New Zealand squad:
Jesse Bromwich, Kieran Foran, Bryson Goodwin, Shaun Johnson, Sam Kasiano, Kevin Loche, Isaac Luke, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino, Sam Moa, Jason Nightingale, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Frank Pritchard, Elijah Taylor, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Manu Vatuvei, Jared Warea-Hargreaves, Dean Whare, Sonny Bill Williams.
Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2495654/Come-boys-Prince-William-roars-Wales-match-South-Africa-leaves-disappointed-15-24.html
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