Scotland star Finn Russell is targeting an historic victory over New Zealand next weekend as he prepares to win his 100th cap in Test rugby.
The Scots have never beaten the All Blacks in 33 previous matches, despite coming agonisingly close on the last few occasions.
The teams will clash at Murrayfield next Saturday as Gregor Townsend’s men resume their Nations Championship campaign against a New Zealand side rejuvenated under former Glasgow Warriors boss Dave Rennie.
Having won 95 caps for Scotland and four for the British and Irish Lions, Russell is determined to deliver a seismic victory and believes it would be the perfect way to mark the milestone.
‘I was chatting to someone about that the other day,’ said the Scotland and Bath fly-half when asked about bringing up a century of caps.
‘I think it’s slightly different when it’s your 100th Test cap instead of a 100th Scotland cap. But, yeah, it’s pretty cool.
Russell will have won 100 caps for Scots and Lions when he faces the All Blacks
‘You almost separate the Lions and the Scotland caps. It’s not something I’ve thought about too much, but it’s a pretty cool achievement.
‘Assuming I play next weekend that is, it would be pretty cool to have 100 Test caps. but it’s not quite 100 Scotland caps. It would be nice if we get it.
‘We’ve got a Sunday game the week after [against Australia], so we could have a couple of drinks after. A couple of champagnes to celebrate. We’ll see. Beating New Zealand is definitely the goal.’
Russell turned 34 last month and is under contract with Bath until the summer of 2028, having already won the Premiership and European Challenge Cup.
The came during an inspired run of form last year which also saw him lead the Lions to a series victory in Australia.
Winning the Champions Cup remains a box he would love to tick, but Russell insists he is in no rush to call it a day with either Bath or Scotland.
Given that he will be 35 by the time the World Cup finishes next year, there had been suggestions that it would be a natural juncture at which to call time on his international career.
But Russell is adamant that he feels as fresh as ever and still had plenty miles left in the tank for both club and country.
Scots have never beaten New Zealand and Russell reckons now is the perfect time
Asked if he had given any thought to life post-rugby, he said: ‘I don’t really know yet.
‘Because I’m 34 now, everyone’s asking me what I’m going to do after. But I’m not close to thinking about finishing up anything soon, so I’m not really thinking too much about life after.
‘There’s some stuff on the side that I do like properties and whatnot, I’m doing some of that. A few investments here and there.
‘People ask me about coaching, but I’m not sure, I don’t know. I think because I’m still in the mindset of a player, I’m not sure about coaching yet. I’m not ready to start thinking about it, if that makes any sense.
‘I wouldn’t mind doing individual consultancy work with a team or individual players. For talking’s sake, let’s just say I got to work every couple of weeks or whatever with someone like Jake Dalziel who’s coming up.
‘Going and helping out young kids like that or if it’s a team that’s struggling in attack, let’s say Bath just now, how can we go in there and try to develop that?
‘I wouldn’t mind doing that; bouncing around a few different things to keep it fresh rather than being with a team day in day out.
Russell is his usual laidback self during a training session with Scotland
‘I think after having been in the rugby world and the cycle, the system, the schedule for so long, something different would be quite nice and would be a fresh start.
‘It’s easier for me to say that now when I’m in it I think. In three years time, I’ll probably have a different answer for you.
‘I’ve still got this year and next year on my contract at Bath. I don’t know what will happen after that. I love it there and Emma [his wife] loves it there.
‘Contract-wise, obviously you never know, things change. The foundations are there and I would love to stay. It just depends on what comes up contract-wise.
‘But I’m keen to keep playing. I’m 34, not 44. Johnny Sexton was like 39 or whatever when he retired. I’ve not got an age or a number that I want to get to cap wise or contract wise.
‘I’m not too fussed, I’m just focused on playing as long as I’m still enjoying it, which I am. As long as I’m still enjoying it, I’ll just keep going until I feel like I’ve had enough.’
