Do it for Doddie
Ritchie in rallying cry to Scots
Jamie Ritchie has vowed Scotland will “fire every bullet we’ve got” in their bid to beat New Zealand for the first time.
And the captain reckons if one thing can motivate his team to make history this afternoon, it will be the presence of Doddie Weir at Murrayfield.
Former international Weir was the guest of honour last time the two teams met in 2017, just 11 months after he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
He has since raised millions of pounds to help research into the illness and the numbers on Scotland’s jerseys will be in his blue and yellow tartan as a tribute to him.
Edinburgh f lanker Ritchie has never played against the All Blacks before. Like Weir, he was watching from the stands five years ago when Scotland lost 22-17.
But he believes that bravery, self-belief and inspiration from a legend like Doddie can help his side get over the line.
Ritchie said: “Our intention is to go out and fire every bullet we’ve got, leave nothing to chance, leave nothing up to what-ifs.
“We’re just going to be brave and take the game to them.
“It would be the first time in our history we’d beaten them but we’re looking to get that monkey off the back.
“It will be a proud day, being able to lead the boys out in such a big game, especially with Doddie being there as well.
“Five years ago when he presented the ball, it was a hugely emotional moment.
“It’s a bit of a cliche but I genuinely don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.
“Doddie’s so special to us all. The strength and the courage he’s shown since his diagnosis, just to keep f ighting, is an inspiration to anyone, not just us.
“I know he is special to the group and I’d like to think that the group is special to him. I said to the boys out there during the team run: ‘ If you need any other motivation than to do it for him, then I don’t know what to say’.
“The theme of our week has been courageousness and having the belief we can go out there and win.”
Self-belief will be crucial. New Zealand are the only major rugby country Scotland have never beaten and Ritchie knows that is a psychological barrier his team will have to get over.
But cool heads wi l l be vital as wel l, which is why head coach Gregor Townsend has picked his most experienced side possible.
Finn Russell is back at stand-off after being left out of the squad for the four Autumn Nations Series games. Glasgow hooker Fraser
Brown is back after being omitted from the initial squad.
And Brow n’s Wa r r i o r s team- mate Sione Tuipulotu starts in midfield to give the defence some extra muscle.
If they are going to win today,
Scotland will have to be a lot better than they were in last week’s 28-12 win over Fiji.
And they will certainly need to take their chances, something they failed to do a week earlier when they lost 16-15 to Australia.
But Ritchie, who is captaining the side for just the third time, is sure his team have all the ingredients for an upset.
He added: “I don’t think there’s anything missing – it’s just a case of putting it together.
“We want to make history and this is a good game to start with.”