November 7, 2025 • 9 mins
Scotland will be motivated by 100 years of history at Murrayfield as they look to upset the All Blacks this weekend.
They have yet to defeat the All Blacks at Murrayfield, 19 failed attempts making the stadium one of the New Zealand side’s most successful hunting grounds.
Brendan Laney played 20 tests for Scotland from 2001-04. He joined Piney to discuss how special Murrayfield is, and what Scotland will need to do to rewrite the history books.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play at Carisbrook, I’ve been lucky enough to play in the Stade de France, I’ve been lucky enough to play in Wales in the Millennium Stadium, but there’s just something about Murrayfield.”
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks edb In.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Former Scottish international Brandon Laney cleared by Callagher for Leslie,
I'm not quite sure which way to go, finds.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Lady through the gap and Brendan Laney A yawning.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Gap, lady, Lady, lady under the bar, the unload, beautiful.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Pass over to lady. Can you make it two?
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Yes, those were some of us tries back here in
New Zealand twenty Test matches though for Scotland, for Brandon
Laney Britton, how big a chance do you think your
former side Scotland are or finally beating the All Blacks
for the first time tomorrow morning?
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Wow?
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Look, I think anybody's sitting here Watson New Blacks first
performance against Orland, and look, I know it was two
or three or three or four weeks between games. You know,
their first fifty minutes was pretty bloody scrapy, wasn't it?
And I think everyone was pretty just pointed with it.
But then saying that, you know a couple of things
that the Orbrecks did, they did really well. It's got
(01:11):
a couple of really not schwiz bar Ford pass at
the end probably could have scored another one. So there's
potential there to show that when they get going there,
they're really dangerous. So but in saying that, you know,
Scotland's come off a fantastic test against America. No to
speak to America either, but probably not the biggest opposition
(01:32):
led into an all breat game. But you know, it's
just got his team has been playing for rugby for
a while now and history is there to be broken.
Isn't it twenty odd years or so that they had
never beaten the aor breacks. So it's it's a fantastic
opportunity for them. And I know that gregatans in more personally.
(01:54):
I love the way that they He's got his team
attacking and and you know they've got some pretty handy
footballers in this sort so even with dropping venoms, so yeah,
it's going to be really intery thing that is.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Can we talk about a couple of those fairly handy
players Finn Russell and see on two belot to the
ten twelve axis? How crucial might that be?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Oh? Messive? But but look it's like anything, isn't it.
If if the Fords don't do their job.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Then it's going to be bloody hard for ten and
twelve in nine for that matter, to really get gone.
But I think Finn's a real confidence player too. When
he's on the front foot and it's gone well, he
can be absolutely real class.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
So you know, I love watching him play.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
He's one of those guys that gets you excited every
time you see him get the ball because you think,
what's he going to do?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Two a polity. He's made every post to win.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
He played outstandingly well on the lines to it, didn't
he And the other The other thing with that is
they're going to bring that experience back into back into
the to the max for Scotland as well. So and
and you add to that the hundred hundred years of Murrayfield,
which is just an unbelievable stadium.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
There's going to be a massive crowd.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Everyone gets excited about the All Blacks being in town,
but this is just another step up. They've had, you know,
rugby awards over the year with with all the old
players and the end of you know, put a few
of the older boys into the Hall of Fame. So
they've been there's been a really big week leading up
to this test. And and I know, I know for
(03:32):
a fact that those two players in particular are going
to be bloody key for Scotland performing. But it's like
anything when you play the All Blacks, you can't make
a lot of mistakes because they punish you.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
And and that's what tess rugby is all about too.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
And you're also right to land on the forwards, even
as a former back yourself. I mean, forwards will tell
you it all starts up front. How do you evaluate
Scotland's ability to match it with the All Blacks physically
in those forward exchanges.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I don't think they'll be afraid of it.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Put their way, they've been They've been really really good
upfront against some of the other Swords, particularly in the
sixth Nations. Now they're coming up against France and obviously
England as well and they've put on some bloody good
performances and beat them as well, so they're not afraid
of that part.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
They've got some big players.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
They've got guys who are not also playing in Scotland
but also then in the Premiership as well, and guys
playing in France, so they'll be not afraid to mix
it up. I suppose it's like anything, you know, I
don't think they'll probably try and take them on physically.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
I think they'll try and move the New New Zealand
around it.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
But because of the way in the last wee while
that Scotland's been playing, they know they're not going to
best the all blecks up up front.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
They're just not. But to move them around a bit
and get them, get them.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Moving, and I think that's how they'll play them because
if they do try and take them on up front
and beat them up, they just won't do that. So
I think they're going to go to their strengths and
that is moving the ball because they've got some guys
in their background particular they're bloody good ball in hand,
so mixed up with the guys in the midfield, I
really enjoy that the outside bets for Scotland as well.
(05:10):
They're not afraid to throw the ball around, so I
think it just makes a real good mix and that's
a bit exciting.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
How do you think Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is regarded
by Scottish rugby fans.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
I think there's a mix. He's probably caught that his
whole bloody life.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
Paul Bugger well I think Guy is a fantastic rugby player.
He was probably a Mercuriel was probably one of the
ones he could call him. He was he could do
things that does no one else could do, and then
other times that it didn't go so great for him,
say look here, I know I've been there, done that.
When it comes to that as well, not everything comes off.
(05:49):
But as a coach, I think he's you know, the
hard part about coaching is you're not everyone's friend, and
particularly in the team, you've got to make some bloody
tough calls, which he obviously has this week week in
with Vndermere because he obviously gets some of them really well.
But I just like the way that he likes to
attack and he's done that with this team. They've they've
(06:12):
thrown the ball around, they've given the ball here, they're
not afraid the cross kicks. He's had to mend a
relationship with Finn Russell as well, which he seems to
have so, you know, from from a from a coaching
point of view, I think Gregor has probably.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Learned a lot on the way as well.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
And I know he's taken on another week roll here
and there's been a few people who are not very
happy about their part. But look, I think he's done
a really good job with Scotland and and and you know.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
He's very invested in it.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
You know, he's been doing it quite a while now
and he loves Scottish rugby so and he's a good
fellow tourney.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
He's a top men. So I hope he does well.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
And you mentioned murray Field and their one hundred year
celebration this weekend. What's it like to play in Murrayfield
Brann and what's it like as a rugby arena?
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Awesome? It is very very cool.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
I've been lucky enough to play at Caresbrook, I've been
lucky enough to play and and the stars front say
I'm lucky enough to play in Wales in a million
of stadium. But there's just something just something about Murrayfield
and one sort of the field's really really really closer
if you're throwing the balling or you're standing on the wing.
(07:23):
The people were pretty much about ten meters away the
other side of the field. Obviously there's a running track
but still with boys, but everything it's just quite on
top of you.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
And I'll tell you what.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
When the lone pipe is up on top piping her
and you've got to sing the national anthem, Flare of Scotland.
I'll tell you what. And then even the whole place
goes quiet and all you hear singing. It really makes it.
He's on the becky next stand up, and I know
that the All Break boys will be sitting there enjoying
(07:55):
that part as well.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
But it's pretty hostile and prom and I know that.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
How fondly do you remember your time playing rugby for Scotland?
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Do you know one thing? It was a bloody long
time ago.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
This was.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
I'm starting to field bloody old, but I look it was.
I was really really lucky.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
I I was extremely proud to pull on the Scottish
jersey and represent my grandmother and my my mom's side
of my family.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
And and I gave it my I gave.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
It my all, put of their way, I got heaps
and I was extremely lucky to be able to play
Test rugby. And I never thought i'd play teat rugby
at all, let alone played twenty testameters. So I was
involved in some fantastic victories, a top a few hidings
as well, to be fear, but I wouldn't change the thing.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
It was absolutely outstanding and and you.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Know, there's just something about Test rugby that makes it
very very cool. And a small, small guy, a guy
from a small town of Tomoka. I never thought it'd
be playing in the middle of Urryfield, so I was
very lucky.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Mate. I had a great time, brilliant.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
I don't think it was luck, Brandon, I don't think
it was luck. Great to chet. I get the set
for four o'clock tomorrow morning. Look forward to seeing how
it plays out.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Yeah, good stuff, enjoy the Test.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
You enjoyed the Test too, Brendan. Thanks and Dave Brendan
Laney there, former Scotland international with his views.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks edb In.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Former Scottish international Brandon Laney cleared by Callagher for Leslie,
I'm not quite sure which way to go, finds.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Lady through the gap and Brendan Laney A yawning.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Gap, lady, Lady, lady under the bar, the unload, beautiful.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Pass over to lady. Can you make it two?
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Yes, those were some of us tries back here in
New Zealand twenty Test matches though for Scotland, for Brandon
Laney Britton, how big a chance do you think your
former side Scotland are or finally beating the All Blacks
for the first time tomorrow morning?
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Wow?
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Look, I think anybody's sitting here Watson New Blacks first
performance against Orland, and look, I know it was two
or three or three or four weeks between games. You know,
their first fifty minutes was pretty bloody scrapy, wasn't it?
And I think everyone was pretty just pointed with it.
But then saying that, you know a couple of things
that the Orbrecks did, they did really well. It's got
(01:11):
a couple of really not schwiz bar Ford pass at
the end probably could have scored another one. So there's
potential there to show that when they get going there,
they're really dangerous. So but in saying that, you know,
Scotland's come off a fantastic test against America. No to
speak to America either, but probably not the biggest opposition
(01:32):
led into an all breat game. But you know, it's
just got his team has been playing for rugby for
a while now and history is there to be broken.
Isn't it twenty odd years or so that they had
never beaten the aor breacks. So it's it's a fantastic
opportunity for them. And I know that gregatans in more personally.
(01:54):
I love the way that they He's got his team
attacking and and you know they've got some pretty handy
footballers in this sort so even with dropping venoms, so yeah,
it's going to be really intery thing that is.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Can we talk about a couple of those fairly handy
players Finn Russell and see on two belot to the
ten twelve axis? How crucial might that be?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Oh? Messive? But but look it's like anything, isn't it.
If if the Fords don't do their job.
Speaker 4 (02:22):
Then it's going to be bloody hard for ten and
twelve in nine for that matter, to really get gone.
But I think Finn's a real confidence player too. When
he's on the front foot and it's gone well, he
can be absolutely real class.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
So you know, I love watching him play.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
He's one of those guys that gets you excited every
time you see him get the ball because you think,
what's he going to do?
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Two a polity. He's made every post to win.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
He played outstandingly well on the lines to it, didn't
he And the other The other thing with that is
they're going to bring that experience back into back into
the to the max for Scotland as well. So and
and you add to that the hundred hundred years of Murrayfield,
which is just an unbelievable stadium.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
There's going to be a massive crowd.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Everyone gets excited about the All Blacks being in town,
but this is just another step up. They've had, you know,
rugby awards over the year with with all the old
players and the end of you know, put a few
of the older boys into the Hall of Fame. So
they've been there's been a really big week leading up
to this test. And and I know, I know for
(03:32):
a fact that those two players in particular are going
to be bloody key for Scotland performing. But it's like
anything when you play the All Blacks, you can't make
a lot of mistakes because they punish you.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
And and that's what tess rugby is all about too.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
And you're also right to land on the forwards, even
as a former back yourself. I mean, forwards will tell
you it all starts up front. How do you evaluate
Scotland's ability to match it with the All Blacks physically
in those forward exchanges.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I don't think they'll be afraid of it.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Put their way, they've been They've been really really good
upfront against some of the other Swords, particularly in the
sixth Nations. Now they're coming up against France and obviously
England as well and they've put on some bloody good
performances and beat them as well, so they're not afraid
of that part.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
They've got some big players.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
They've got guys who are not also playing in Scotland
but also then in the Premiership as well, and guys
playing in France, so they'll be not afraid to mix
it up. I suppose it's like anything, you know, I
don't think they'll probably try and take them on physically.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
I think they'll try and move the New New Zealand
around it.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
But because of the way in the last wee while
that Scotland's been playing, they know they're not going to
best the all blecks up up front.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
They're just not. But to move them around a bit
and get them, get them.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Moving, and I think that's how they'll play them because
if they do try and take them on up front
and beat them up, they just won't do that. So
I think they're going to go to their strengths and
that is moving the ball because they've got some guys
in their background particular they're bloody good ball in hand,
so mixed up with the guys in the midfield, I
really enjoy that the outside bets for Scotland as well.
(05:10):
They're not afraid to throw the ball around, so I
think it just makes a real good mix and that's
a bit exciting.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
How do you think Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is regarded
by Scottish rugby fans.
Speaker 3 (05:23):
I think there's a mix. He's probably caught that his
whole bloody life.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
Paul Bugger well I think Guy is a fantastic rugby player.
He was probably a Mercuriel was probably one of the
ones he could call him. He was he could do
things that does no one else could do, and then
other times that it didn't go so great for him,
say look here, I know I've been there, done that.
When it comes to that as well, not everything comes off.
(05:49):
But as a coach, I think he's you know, the
hard part about coaching is you're not everyone's friend, and
particularly in the team, you've got to make some bloody
tough calls, which he obviously has this week week in
with Vndermere because he obviously gets some of them really well.
But I just like the way that he likes to
attack and he's done that with this team. They've they've
(06:12):
thrown the ball around, they've given the ball here, they're
not afraid the cross kicks. He's had to mend a
relationship with Finn Russell as well, which he seems to
have so, you know, from from a from a coaching
point of view, I think Gregor has probably.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Learned a lot on the way as well.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
And I know he's taken on another week roll here
and there's been a few people who are not very
happy about their part. But look, I think he's done
a really good job with Scotland and and and you know.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
He's very invested in it.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
You know, he's been doing it quite a while now
and he loves Scottish rugby so and he's a good
fellow tourney.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
He's a top men. So I hope he does well.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
And you mentioned murray Field and their one hundred year
celebration this weekend. What's it like to play in Murrayfield
Brann and what's it like as a rugby arena?
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Awesome? It is very very cool.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
I've been lucky enough to play at Caresbrook, I've been
lucky enough to play and and the stars front say
I'm lucky enough to play in Wales in a million
of stadium. But there's just something just something about Murrayfield
and one sort of the field's really really really closer
if you're throwing the balling or you're standing on the wing.
(07:23):
The people were pretty much about ten meters away the
other side of the field. Obviously there's a running track
but still with boys, but everything it's just quite on
top of you.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
And I'll tell you what.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
When the lone pipe is up on top piping her
and you've got to sing the national anthem, Flare of Scotland.
I'll tell you what. And then even the whole place
goes quiet and all you hear singing. It really makes it.
He's on the becky next stand up, and I know
that the All Break boys will be sitting there enjoying
(07:55):
that part as well.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
But it's pretty hostile and prom and I know that.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
How fondly do you remember your time playing rugby for Scotland?
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Do you know one thing? It was a bloody long
time ago.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
This was.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
I'm starting to field bloody old, but I look it was.
I was really really lucky.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
I I was extremely proud to pull on the Scottish
jersey and represent my grandmother and my my mom's side
of my family.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
And and I gave it my I gave.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
It my all, put of their way, I got heaps
and I was extremely lucky to be able to play
Test rugby. And I never thought i'd play teat rugby
at all, let alone played twenty testameters. So I was
involved in some fantastic victories, a top a few hidings
as well, to be fear, but I wouldn't change the thing.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
It was absolutely outstanding and and you.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Know, there's just something about Test rugby that makes it
very very cool. And a small, small guy, a guy
from a small town of Tomoka. I never thought it'd
be playing in the middle of Urryfield, so I was
very lucky.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
Mate. I had a great time, brilliant.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
I don't think it was luck, Brandon, I don't think
it was luck. Great to chet. I get the set
for four o'clock tomorrow morning. Look forward to seeing how
it plays out.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Yeah, good stuff, enjoy the Test.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
You enjoyed the Test too, Brendan. Thanks and Dave Brendan
Laney there, former Scotland international with his views.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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