12 Nov 2010

McCaw and Mils to equal Fitzy's record

6:15 am on 12 November 2010

Richie McCaw amd Mils Muliaina will equal the All Blacks record for most international caps when they face Scotland on Sunday morning after being named in the starting line-up.

Skipper McCaw and fullback Muliaina will represent New Zealand for the 92nd time at Murrayfield, matching hooker Sean Fitzpatrick's record tally.

Coach Graham Henry has made four changes to the side that beat England 26-16 last weekend with a possible fifth if hooker Keven Mealamu's appeal against a four-week ban for butting Lewis Moody at Twickenham is unsuccessful.

Mealamu and Hikawera Elliot have been bracketed.

Liam Messam replaces Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker, Jimmy Cowan returns in place of Alby Mathewson at halfback, Isaia Toeava comes in for Joe Rokocoko on the right wing and Conrad Smith is back in the centres.

Smith's return means a move to second five eightht for former rugby league standout Sonny Bill Williams with Ma'a Nonu relegated to the replacements' bench.

McCaw and Muliaina will be keen to keep New Zealand's unbeaten record against Scotland intact as they match the achievement of former captain Fitzpatrick at Murrayfield.

Fitzpatrick says he couldn't think of two better people than Richie and Mils to beat his record, they're outstanding All Blacks, good leaders of men and for him it's an honour to pass the baton on to those two.