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EDINBURGH - Reserve halfback Mike Blair endured the last hour of the 2005 All Blacks' march to a rugby Grand Slam in the slush at Murrayfield, a dour struggle that ended with Tana Umaga being chaired off the pitch.
Three years on the New Zealand side confronting the now Scottish captain on Sunday (NZT) does not appear as formidable, not that Blair is taking any comfort from a lineup labelled experimental.
Suggestions the All Blacks' may have inadvertently played into Scotland's hands by fielding a starting 15 practically devoid of first-choice players was scoffed at by head coach Graham Henry yesterday.
And today Blair, a 50-cap veteran, agreed albeit in gentler terms.
Despite the All Blacks making 13 changes to the starting lineup that beat Australia in Hong Kong last weekend, Blair the so-called second stringers could be more threatening than a side laden with established stars.
The introduction of new caps Liam Messam, Kieran Read and Jamie Mackintosh would give the All Blacks an extra lift as they attempt to maintain their unbeaten test record against the Scots, he said.
"They've got a lot to prove to the coaches, the guys coming in.
"They'll be absolutely desperate to show what they can do in an All Black shirt so this is arguably a more dangerous side to play against," he said.
"There's quality in the side as well. There's not a massive amount of difference between the skills and the quality of these players and the ones who missed out.
"There's the experience factor but man for man if you put them up against you there's not a huge amount between them."
Blair admitted a couple of the All Black names were unfamiliar but versatile Waikato loose forward Messam's reputation had preceded him.
"Messam will definitely be a guy to watch," Blair said.
"I've seen a bit of him through the sevens stuff and New Zealand Maori in the Churchill Cup a couple of years ago as well.
"He's obviously a talented player, he's quick, he's a ball player so he's someone we'll definitely be aware of."
Messam features in a loose trio that features just eight caps, all belonging to Otago's Adam Thomson, one of this season's new All Blacks.
It is the least experienced All Blacks combination since the second test against a World 15 during the New Zealand Rugby Union's centenary celebrations in 1992.
Then coach Laurie Mains, two tests into his tenure, opted for an all Otago loose forward trio - debutant Jamie Joseph, Aran Pene (one test) and Paul Henderson (three).
Scotland, meanwhile, are seeking to rule the breakdown with seasoned professionals Jason White at blindside and No 8 Simon Taylor - who have both earned more than 60 caps.
This is an area Blair hopes Scotland might be able to gain parity if not the upper hand, while the scrum - primed by former All Black Mike Brewer - was the other facet the underdogs hoped to rattle the All Blacks.
Naturally Blair acknowledged that was easier said than done and his players would need to be precise if they were any hope of making history as the first Scottish team to beat the All Blacks.
"We feel there are going to be opportunities in the game .... not too many, and we have to make sure we take them," he said.
"That's maybe something we've failed to do in the past."
Meanwhile, the All Blacks returned to the training pitch today after having their first day off on tour to take in the sights of the Scottish capital and beyond.
While the All Blacks practiced in rain for the first time this week, the Scots had their break from rugby duties with members of the squad heading to an off-road driving centre - a photo opportunity designed to show their "fierce competitive spirit."
- NZPA
