Photo via BBC Sport

'Weird and cool' - Blair relishing All Blacks adventure

Former Scotland scrum-half and captain Mike Blair has embraced his rare status as an overseas coach in New Zealand rugby, serving as attack coordinator under Dave Rennie for the All Blacks. Blair, who earned 85 caps during his playing career, transitioned rapidly to the role on 17 June following a three-year stint alongside Rennie at Japanese side Kobe, after previous coaching stops with Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.

Across his initial seven international fixtures, he has overseen victories against Italy, Ireland, France, and South Africa, balanced by three defeats suffered at the hands of the reigning world champion Springboks.

The upcoming November international window will see Blair head to Murrayfield in the visiting coaching box, preparing to face his native country. Working daily with elite backs such as Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, and Jordie Barrett, Blair noted that his squad holds immense respect for Scotland's offensive capabilities, observing that players like Jordie Barrett can now readily recite the entire Scottish backline.