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Find your Sport Nation frequency‘The unwinnable fixture’: Why Scotland has no chance against the All Blacks
Sport Nation • November 3rd, 2026 3:08 pm
Will Jordan | Photo: Paul Thomas/Photosport
Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in a Test match, and Scottish rugby commentator Jamie Lyall says the timing of this weekend’s clash makes the challenge even tougher.
Saturday’s Test will be Scotland's first since July, while the All Blacks has played six since - four against the Springboks and two against the Wallabies.
“It's the All Blacks first up. It is the unwinnable fixture,” Lyall told Sport Nation Mornings.
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Across 33 previous meetings between the sides, the All Blacks have won 31 while the teams have drawn twice.
Lyall said Scotland’s schedule and the new two-part Nation's Championship season has left them without the traditional opportunity to build up to their November Tests by playing against a lower-ranked opponent before facing the likes of New Zealand.
“I think from a Scottish point of view, when you see the way the fixtures are done, the Nation's Championship doesn't give you the luxury of having a fourth November Test as we would often have in terms of a USA or a so-called tier two team to play first out of window and get some minutes into certain players.”
Listen to the full interview below:
