NZ visit high on Scot’s priorities

A TRIP to New Zealand can’t come soon enough for Scotland coach Steve McCormack after the 50-4 loss to Tonga.

Unfortunately, McCormack doubted the same could be said for his players after their nine tries-to-one battering.

But the Bravehearts coach has backed his world No.4 side to embrace the chance to redeem themselves against the Kiwi powerhouses at Christchurch on Saturday.

“I can’t wait. I wish it was tomorrow – I am not sure if the players do,” said McCormack, who steered Scotland to the 2013 Cup quarter-finals.

“But we are excited about playing New Zealand.

“Morale will be good. I have a fantastic bunch of players with a bunch of resilience.”

It wasn’t quite how captain Danny Brough wanted to remember his record 24th appearance for Scotland.

“I don’t think it can get much worse than that,” a shattered Brough said.

Meanwhile, England powerhouse Sam Burgess is on track to return from injury in the World Cup quarter-finals or even earlier. Burgess hurt his knee during England’s loss to Australia in the series opener.