Inside New Zealand camp ahead of facing Scotland: Golf, Braveheart, bagpipes and special week for Sititi

“There’s a guy with bagpipes on the corner for the last three days,” smiled Robertson. “I’m not sure if he’s intended to be there or not. I tell you what, it sounds like the same song - but it’s not and I’m not saying that. After a while they all blur together.”

Robertson’s heard it all before. After all, he had a spell as an Ayr player. It’s all part of staying slap bang in the centre of Scotland’s capital.

New Zealand have also visited the castle and some of the party played golf at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian. "I was seven over, one of my better days, so I really enjoyed it,” revealed one of their many star men in Beauden Barrett. “We dodged the rain and had a great day out there.”

The hosts will hope that is where the pleasantries end for New Zealand. Come Saturday, they will be surrounded by more than 60,000 baying for something they have never seen before: Scotland defeating the All Blacks.

Robertson is leaving nothing to chance. He has named a strong team for the 33rd encounter between these two nations. New Zealand battled past Ireland 26-13 in Chicago last week and the head coach has made three changes. Lock Josh Lord and outside centre Leicester Fainga’anuku have been brought in to replace injured duo Scott Barrett and Jordie Barrett, while flanker Wallace Sititi comes in for Simon Parker. Ardie Savea captains the team.

All Blacks face ‘huge challenge’

New Zealand know how desperate Scotland are for victory. “A huge challenge,” is how Barrett described what awaits him and his teammates. Scotland have pinched two draws against the All Blacks and in the past two meetings at Murrayfield, back in 2022 and 2017, a home win has been in touching distance.

Barrett smiled when the events of eight years ago were put to him. New Zealand won 22-17 but it would have been very different had the now 34-year-old not made a try-saving tackle on Stuart Hogg right at the death.

“Ah, 2017, yeah the tackle,” said Barrett. “Gosh I thought Stuart was gone to be honest. Thankfully he ran out of time and space and that was one that could have just got away on us, but they were up for it. They clearly back themselves with the ball in hand so we're very aware of that and preparing for that.”

Standing alongside Barrett at New Zealand’s press conference was Wallace Sititi, a 23-year-old flanker who spent some of his early childhood living in Galashiels with his father, Samoan internationalist Lemalu Sititi, playing for Border Reivers in the early 2000s under Kiwi head coach Tony Gilbert.

Wallace takes up the tale. “Like a lot of you know, my dad was lucky enough to play a bit of footy in his time and he played here at the Borders,” he said. “I guess when at the time we were supposed to be born, we were based here, a few weeks before that my mum's dad fell sick, so she flew back to Samoa to look after him, ended up having myself there, while my dad was actually stuck here playing under Tony Gilbert. He wouldn't let him go back. I think they had s strong quarter-final coming up, so he couldn't let him go as a coach, so my dad was actually not present at my birth back in Samoa.

“He named me after William Wallace because he loved the movie Braveheart, my parents thought William was a bit too common as a first name, so he ended up with Wallace. It's a strong connection for myself and my family, it's been a special feeling being back here and experiencing it, and like you said, it's a big game this weekend, my first time against the Scottish as well.

‘Special week’ for Sititi

“I spent the early years of my life here ... don't remember too much ... so in a sense this is my first time in Scotland. It's been a special week leading into a big game and I'm just excited.

“My parents would love to be here, but unfortunately they can't be this weekend, so I'm doing this for my parents and my family and for myself and for my teammates too.”

Sititi was one of the players who opted for Edinburgh castle rather than a round of golf. And he has a bit more culture planned before kick-off.

"Oh definitely,” was his response when asked if he will have any time for Braveheart. “Might have to get my roomie on it tonight.”

Hopefully it’s not the only time this week he is witnessing a Scottish victory.