punches in ‘dark arts’

TOOLIS OUT TO BE A NEIGHBOUR FROM HELL FOR KIWIS

It’ll help if I am involved as there’s always that aggressive edge with them

FOR Ben Toolis, growing up in Australia meant that his ‘next-door neighbours’ New Zealand were always the enemy in sporting terms. Although now officially a Scotland international, that desire to get one up on the Kiwis will be a major part of his motivation against the All Blacks at Murrayfield this Saturday. ‘Growing up in Oz, you always have that next-door neighbour, enemy-lines mentality towards New Zealand,’ explained Toolis, who was raised in Brisbane, but qualifies through mum Linda from Carluke. ‘If that’s going to help me get into the right mindset, I’ll definitely bring that. ‘I think it will help us as a team if I’m involved as, deep down, there’s always that aggressive edge in wanting to beat them in anything. ‘Living here in Scotland and playing for them now, I have an understanding of how important it is to win the game and to make history as well, so that’s brought a new edge to my mindset. My heritage is here and, obviously, I’m Scottish now, so that’s what I’m looking to do.’ The 25-year-old Edinburgh lock forward is enjoying being under the spotlight with Gregor Townsend’s side and savoured one unexpected perk when he met Harry Potter author and Scotland rugby fan JK Rowling after the weekend victory over Samoa. ‘It was quite cool meeting her,’ said Toolis. ‘I met her with Hamish Watson and we spoke to her briefly. ‘For someone like her to take time out of her day to come and support us is quite special and means a lot to us. ‘I am a big fan of hers. Who isn’t? She just said well done on the win and that she was looking forward to the next few games. She even said to a few of the young boys well done on their debuts which was nice.’ As to whether the Scots could use some Potter-style magic to beat the All Blacks for the first time this weekend, Toolis is keeping an open mind. ‘Look, everyone knows what kind of side they are, but the fact we get to play them on our home turf is great,’ he said. ‘There is always something you are going to find you can exploit. They have lost to a few teams in the last couple of years.’