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World Cup preview: Scotland v New Zealand

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Surprise package Scotland have the mammoth task of stopping World Cup holders New Zealand in the quarter-finals at Headingley Carnegie on Friday.

Steve McCormack's men were unbeaten impressed in Group C to qualify for the knock-out stages, however, Stephen Kearney's New Zealand will pose an entirely different challenge.

The Kiwis averaged nearly 50 points from their group outings conceding 10.4 points at the same time, meaning Scotland will need to play the game of their lives in Leeds.

However, Scotland are not lacking confidence and with Huddersfield Giants' Danny Brough in the middle pulling the strings the Bravehearts will have every belief in pulling off a monumental upset.

Ian Henderson, who also played in Super League for Bradford, missed Scotland's last match, the 22-8 win over USA, with a knee injury but makes a timely return, with veteran hooker Ben Fisher ruled out with a torn calf muscle.

The Bravehearts also welcome back centre Kane Linnett, who has recovered from a rib injury, and that will enable Danny Addy to revert to the second row to help plug the gap created by the suspension of Dale Ferguson.

Ferguson appealed the two-match ban by a review panel for a dangerous tackle on hooker Tui Samoa during Friday's 22-8 win over the United States, but the original verdict was upheld.

Kearney will make at least four changes to the team that beat Papua New Guinea in their last group match, which was also at Headingley.

Skipper Simon Mannering, prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and second rower Frank Pritchard all return after being rested and Kevin Locke will take over at full-back from Josh Hoffman, who went off with a shoulder injury in the 52-10 victory over the Kumuls.

Loose forward Elijah Taylor is expected to get a spot on the bench and may be asked to provide cover at dummy half following the loss of former Wigan hooker or half-back Thomas Leuluai with a recurrence of a groin injury.

Scotland: (probable) M Russell; D Scott, B Hellewell, K Linnett, A Hurst; D Brough (capt), P Wallace; A Walker, I Henderson, L Douglas, B Phillips, D Addy, B Kavanagh.
Subs: (from) A Henderson, M Stringer, A Szostak, O Wilkes, S Barlow, B Carter.

New Zealand: (probable) K Locke; R Tuivasa-Sheck, D Whare, B Goodwin, M Vatuvei; K Foran, S Johnson; J Bromwich, I Luke, J Waerea-Hargreaves, F Pritchard, S B Williams, S Mannering (capt).
Subs: (from) S Kasiano, B Matulino, S Moa, J Nightingale, F-P Nu'uausala, E Taylor

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