THERE is always a buzz when the All Blacks visit Murrayfield, a time to recall past meetings between Scotland and consistently the greatest rugby team on earth.

My memories probably date back to watching Scotland push the New Zealanders all the way in 1972, before in fading light – made even worse by watching the game on an old black and white telly – Alastair McHarg threw a hopeful pass that Sid Going intercepted to clinch victory for the ABs. 

I have no recollection of the 0-0 draw in 1964 in the capital, but I do recall our 25-25 tie in 1983, and Peter Dods missing a last-minute conversion.

Looking various games up online, even I struggled to recall the World Cup meeting between the two nations at Murrayfield in 2007, and then I remembered why.

Because in my mind I’d been trying to recall the All Blacks against the Scots, maybe in white. The reality however was New Zealand playing in an insipid grey jersey, dark shorts and socks, against a Scotland ‘home’ kit that looked virtually the same.

In rucks and mauls, tackles and breakdowns, the sides looked almost identical – except one of them kept scoring more than the other.

You didn’t need to be Taggart to work out who that was.

Of all my memories of the All Blacks, probably my favourite would be getting a one-to-one exclusive interview with Jonah Lomu ahead of the World Cup quarter-final in 1999, set up by my friend, PRO to the All Blacks (and aunty of Sean Maitland).

There was only one question to ask; does anyone scare you?

He wrinkled his mouth and chin, then replied, “yes, my mum.”

In other words, the same as the rest of us. 

LAST Friday I had the very great pleasure of being MC at the Melrose 1883 Project Dinner and fund raiser for the Doddie Weir trust in Edinburgh.

Doddie and regular sidekick, The Herald’s own Gary Armstrong, were in attendance, but I also managed to co-opt Sunday Herald columnist Craig Chalmers on to the stage, along with legendary Scotland and Lions coach Jim Telfer, who for someone with such a fearsome reputation is really a funny man and a good sport.

“None of your nonsense tonight, ya Weegie,” he told me.

“Me, a Weegie? I’m not a Weegie,” I protested.

“Anyone from west of Peebles qualifies as a Weegie for me.” I didn’t argue.

AND lastly, and back in the busy daily world of Doddie, on Monday the big yin will do the honours when it comes to making the draw for the Fourth Round of the William Hill Scottish Scottish Cup on Sky Sports, in the company of 1998 winner Colin Cameron.

As I joked yesterday on Twitter when this was announced (and yes, there are some of you who don’t get social media), anyone expecting Dod to do a ‘Rod Stewart’ would do well to remember that he is a muckle laddie who has hollow legs.

But a lovely gesture by the SFA, Sky and William Hill, and I’m sure they and Old Firm fans will be understanding if Celtic and Rangers are paired together ...