Whitelock is ready for anything due to the Finn factor

NEW ZEALAND captain Sam Whitelock insists his side must expect the unexpected when they face off against Finn Russell this afternoon.

But Whitelock hopes that a little inside knowledge might help shut down the threat of the Scotland playmaker.

Whitelock briefly played alongside Russell back in 2013, when the Scot was on a scholarship in New Zealand.

The All Blacks skipper explained that it was only a one-time appearance for Lincoln University. But Russell certainly left an impression — and Whitelock is all too aware of the threats posed by the Scotland fly-half.

‘Finn can pull anything out of the bag,’ said the veteran second row, who has over 140 caps’ worth of experience. ‘I was lucky enough to play with him when he was in New Zealand a few years ago, and he was exactly the same as a player then.

‘That’s something the Scottish side does feed on. He can do something that is not expected — and it comes off for him because he’s a skilful player. He knows how to break a game open.

‘So for us, it is about making sure we don’t give him time and space because that’s when he is at his best.

‘Scotland are going to give everything, like they always do. They definitely have that ability to push us in any way.

‘We know it is going to be sold out. It will be an awesome occasion. There is nothing like playing Scotland at home.’

Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks, a run which spans well over 100 years and 31 previous games between the teams.

But Whitelock insists history counts for nothing, saying: ‘The reality is that it doesn’t matter. We need to be ready to go when that kick-off happens.

‘Everything is on the line, as it always is. We’ve just got to worry about what we’re doing, get the process right and, if we do that, then hopefully we can put a good performance in.’

On the back of such a dominant victory in Cardiff last weekend, when they scored eight tries in a 55-23 rout of Wales, Whitelock was asked how the All Blacks could build on that performance.

He added: ‘What we’ve done this week is look at going right back to zero then build up the whole week, as opposed to try to keep at that level the whole week.

‘In the past, we have tried to stay at that level and come unstuck because it is too hard to stay 100 per cent on the whole time.

‘So, we’ve enjoyed getting round the city (Edinburgh), having a look at the castle and learning some of the history.

‘A few of the boys got a scare doing the ghost tour. So, we’ve had an awesome time.’

Ireland, South Africa, France and Argentina all beating them.

Yet, even so, they still won the Rugby Championship.

They will still start as many people’s favourites when the World Cup comes around in France next year.

That’s not a bad ‘aura’ to have for a team who apparently haven’t been in great form.

Ultimately, the All Blacks remain the team against whom all others are judged.

They have a mystique unlike any other nation.

When the Haka is in full flow before kick-off, just ask the 67,000 in attendance at Murrayfield if they feel this team have lost their ‘aura’.

Not a chance. This is the showpiece fixture in Scotland’s autumn campaign. In Russell and Barrett, the stage is set for two master craftsmen.

Sparks will fly between these two great entertainers as Scotland look to enter the history books.