Dempsey: Scotland can be best and worst ahead of Murrayfield clash with All Blacks

Jack Dempsey warned that Scotland can be “the best team in the world for 20 minutes and … the worst team in the world for 20 minutes” as they prepare to face the All Blacks at Murrayfield on Saturday in what the article describes as the 34th shot at New Zealand; Dempsey will play his 50th Test that day, having 14 for the Wallabies and this being his 36th for Scotland.

Scotland have suffered three near misses in a row against the All Blacks under Gregor Townsend and remain without a win against New Zealand, more than 120 years after the sides first met, making Saturday’s fixture another opportunity to break that run.

On what needs to change, Dempsey said: "There's no magic pill," and added: "It's probably two things." He emphasised momentum, saying: "Number one is momentum. There's momentum within games. We can be the best team in the world for 20 minutes and we can be the worst team in the world for 20 minutes."

Dempsey identified the second factor as consistent messaging from within the squad, referencing Sione [Tuipulotu]'s emphasis on sustained togetherness and outlining defensive aims: "Can we make the team against us earn every single phase? Can we make it harder for them on every single phase?" He also set the attacking challenge directly: "And then on attack, every time we hold the ball, we make it harder for the opposition. Can we do that on another level?"

Dempsey, recently of Glasgow Warriors but now with Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan, said his life and international availability have changed as a result of the move. The article states he is available for all of the Nations Championship, unavailable for all of the Six Nations and then available again for the World Cup; he left Glasgow after five years and admitted to feeling some guilt about departing the club that he said "resurrected" his career.

Reflecting on the Six Nations and personal decisions, Dempsey said: "You can be playing the Six Nations and be like 'this is the greatest thing, winning a Calcutta Cup'." He described wavering over the move to Japan — "I'd wake up one day and change my mind, wake up the next day and change it again" — before concluding that "it just came down to the cliche of only having one career. Let's try and do as much as you can." He added his view of Murrayfield plainly: "One thing I've learned in my career is that Murrayfield is the best place to play rugby, without a doubt."

On facing Dave Rennie, Dempsey said: "We've had a chequered past." The article notes Rennie, now New Zealand head coach, had previously criticised Dempsey's physicality when coaching Australia; Dempsey recalled: "I wasn't in a great spot in Australia when he came in and gave me a kick up the arse, which sent me to Glasgow," and added: "So in a way, you know, it really helped me." He described Rennie as: "a pretty straight shooter, straight down the barrel. He'll give you some hard truths. He's a high-character guy, a highly successful guy. There's no bitterness there."

Dempsey stressed the match hinges on pressure moments and Scotland's ability to make life difficult for Rennie's All Blacks, saying: "Not everyone gets what they deserve and not everyone gets what they should." He added: "Every win is hard-earned. A win against the All Blacks especially so." Scotland will host the All Blacks at Murrayfield on Saturday, where Dempsey will earn his 50th Test cap.