Strokosch aiming to change All-Blacks record

Nov 7 2012 By Paul Thomson

Rugby star Al Strokosch says his side will go out and attack world champions New Zealand when Scotland kick off their Autumn Tests at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Rugby star Al Strokosch says his side will go out and attack world champions New Zealand when Scotland kick off their Autumn Tests at Murrayfield on Sunday.

The Scots have never beaten the All-Blacks in 16 attempts, losing 14 times and drawing twice, and the Perpignan flanker says the team wont sit back and admire a side that eased to World Cup victory on home soil last year.

Stewartfield ace Strokosch whose side will also face South Africa and Tonga later this month told the News: Weve got nothing to lose so we will go out and have a go at New Zealand.

We have to attack them theres no point in going out there and being in awe of them.

They are not an easy team to beat and our record against them shows that, but we believe we can change that record.

This is a good opportunity for us to pull something off.

He added: Nobody expects us to do anything against them and I find that very liberating. Its the first time in a while we are going into a game with the pressure off.

But it doesnt come much tougher than the world champions and with South Africa in the next game its perfect preparation for the Six Nations.

We wont come up against two teams as difficult as them, so it will be a great test of our game, mentally and physically.

The 29-year-old starts in the back row alongside Kelly Brown and Ross Rennie for the sell-out match in Edinburgh, with fellow East Kilbridian Richie Gray also named in the starting line-up, although he will face a late fitness test.

Meanwhile, Strokosch has enjoyed meeting up with his national team-mates following his move to France in the summer to join Top-14 side Perpignan.

The former East Kilbride Rugby Club player added: France has been brilliant so far and its been good fun up at St Andrews catching up with the guys in the squad and getting to come home for a while.

Scotland play New Zealand on Sunday at Murrayfield, kick-off 2.30pm with the match live on BBC One HD.