Rugby: Scots side after the main

Kiwi Vern Cotter (left) faces a tough task coaching Scotland who have never beaten the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

Eighth-ranked Scots are next up for the ABs after England

One of the reasons the All Blacks agreed to play in the US before their northern tour was that it mimicked next year's jump in class from World Cup pool play to knockout stages. But there's little doubt next weekend's test against Scotland at Murrayfield is a step down from this morning's against England.

The All Blacks have a reasonably stern test first up against Argentina at the World Cup before playing Namibia, Georgia and Tonga.

Should they top Pool C as expected, their quarter-final opponents will be the Pool D runners-up: France, Ireland or Italy.

France and Ireland would be tough opponents. France have repeatedly caused the All Blacks problems in World Cups and, although Ireland have never beaten the All Blacks, they pushed them extremely close as recently as this time last year - Aaron Cruden's twice-taken conversion of Ryan Crotty's last-gasp try getting them home in Dublin.

Scotland, however, aren't quite in the same class and coach Steve Hansen is likely to mix things up in terms of selection before settling on his strongest 23 for his team's final test of the year the following week against Wales in Cardiff.

Like Ireland, the Scots have never beaten the All Blacks and have not looked like getting close in recent times. Their best result came at Murrayfield in 1983 when they held the All Blacks to a 25-25 draw. There was a 0-0 draw at the same venue in 1964.

Vern Cotter, Scotland's New Zealand-born coach, made his Murrayfield debut this morning (NZT) when his team played Argentina. He has had a challenging introduction since leading Scotland to close wins against the US, Canada and Argentina before a 55-6 thrashing by South Africa in June.

One inspiration could come in the form of fellow Kiwi Joe Schmidt, the Ireland coach who nearly began the party of all parties last November.

But Cotter won't be getting any help from the traditionally quagmire of a Murrayfield pitch which has undergone a major upgrade.

The parasite-damaged grass has been replaced by a hybrid pitch blended with artificial fibres which is almost guaranteed to make the field hard and fast every week.

The All Blacks last played Scotland two years ago, with wing Julian Savea scoring two tries in a 51-22 victory.

IRB world rankings
1. New Zealand
2. South Africa
3. England
4. Australia
5. Ireland
6. Wales
7. France
8. Scotland
9. Samoa
10. Argentina