# Townsend never felt he could beat All Blacks as a player, but as a coach…

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/townsend-never-felt-he-could-beat-all-blacks-as-a-player-but-as-a-coach/
- Published: 2026-10-27T08:11:22+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T10:40:10+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cm20wjxq14qvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Sport, UK, World

## Key points

- Townsend says Scotland now believe they can beat New Zealand.
- Scotland have never won in 33 previous meetings.
- A Dunedin Test will end a 26-year wait for an away match.

## Summary

Gregor Townsend says Scotland have the belief and ability to challenge New Zealand now, unlike when he faced the All Blacks as a player in the 1990s. His comments come ahead of Scotland’s 34th meeting with New Zealand, a fixture in which Scotland have yet to win, and before a significant run of tournaments and World Cup preparation for his side.

Townsend lost heavily to New Zealand as a player, including defeats by 62-31 and 69-20, but his three matches as coach have been much closer, with Scotland losing 25-17, 31-23 and 22-17. He says Scotland’s recent performances have created chances but lacked composure to take them. A planned World Cup warm-up in Dunedin will be Scotland’s first away Test against the All Blacks since 2000; Townsend also named Newcastle flanker Ollie Leatherbarrow in his squad.

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