All Blacks name strongest possible side for Murrayfield clash

Steve Hansen has named his strongest possible side for the All Blacks' clash with Scotland on Saturday.

The squad features two changes from the French game last weekend. Codie Taylor comes in at hooker for the injured Dane Coles with Nathan Harris moving to the bench and Liam Squire fills the no. 19 jersey.

"This Test against Scotland will be an opportunity for this group of players to take on the challenge of raising the bar on performance which was set down by their teammates," said Hansen.

"Scotland will be a formidable opponent who, from all indications, will be looking to play skillful rugby and an up-tempo game. Therefore, we'll need to meet this challenge head on and be prepared to empty the tank and exert our own pressure upon them through both our physicality, our own tempo in the game and executing our skills at the highest level."

All Blacks: 1. Kane Hames, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Luke Romano, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (c) 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Ryan Crotty, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Damian McKenzie.

Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19. Liam Squire, 20. Matt Todd, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Lima Sopoaga, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.