All Blacks centurion Mils Muliaina doesn’t mind losing to Scotland providing they end their northern hemisphere tour on a high against England.
Ian Foster’s men take on Japan and Wales before facing off with the Scots and the Red Rose in their end-of-year Tests.
Momentum and new players
“This isn’t a Rugby World Cup practice run,” Muliaina said on The Breakdown. “What we’ve got to get out of it is, there’s two things; get momentum, which is what we want, we want to be winning games. But, also introduce guys.
“So when do we introduce guys? I don’t think it’s the first game against Japan, because of the layoff that the guys have had.
“I think it’s the Scottish Test.”
It is a gruelling tour with the All Blacks going head-to-head with the Brave Blossoms before travelling to Europe and playing the Welsh a week later.
They then have eight days to prepare for the Scotland clash, but there is a short turnaround for the big one against Eddie Jones’ England.
Muliaina would therefore not mind forgoing the chance of beating Scotland if they were to end a difficult year on a high at Twickenham.
“I think you go in there (to Japan) and you say ‘well let’s put our best team available.’
“(Stephen) Perofeta probably gets in there because you know, (both) Barretts (might be) out. It’s a great way to introduce someone into that.
“You lead into the Welsh test and you’re humming.
“Ok, the Scottish Test you might want to say ‘well Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, do we bring him off the bench? Do we introduce another couple of other guys?’
“Because then there’s a short turnaround before… I think that England game has got to be the one that they win.
“Japan, let’s get a lead on after a five-week break, then you go into Wales and you’re really humming, maybe pull a few guys out and test a few guys against Scotland. If they lose in Scotland, mate, I’m ok with that.”
Pressure still on the head coach
With New Zealand head coach Foster still under pressure following a poor season, which has included a series loss to Ireland and a first-ever home defeat to Argentina, the supporters would not take too kindly to a reversal against Scotland.
They have never succumbed to the Scots in their history, but Muliaina reiterated his point that a loss at the hands of Gregor Townsend’s side would not be disappointing providing they can overcome England.
“If they come away with the English Test and they’re really humming, I think they’ll go into 2023 really confident,” he added.
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