As Scotland gears up for their latest challenge against the All Blacks on Saturday, it's essential to reflect on the team's tumultuous journey over the past year.

Last year's encounter saw Scotland fall behind 17-0, only to rally back to a 17-17 tie, before succumbing to the brilliance of Damien McKenzie in a heart-wrenching finish. This match marked yet another entry in Scottish rugby's extensive collection of near misses.

The disappointment deepened when Scotland squandered a 21-0 lead against Argentina, leading to serious questions about head coach Gregor Townsend's future. This was compounded by a disheartening defeat to Italy at the start of this year’s Six Nations.

However, Scotland has since flipped the script:

• They ended England's 12-game winning streak.
• They delivered a historic performance against France, scoring 50 points.
• They notched seven tries against Argentina during their summer tour.
• They put up a valiant fight against world champions South Africa in a gripping Test match in Pretoria.

Jack Dempsey noted on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast:

We can be the best team in the world for 20 minutes and we can be the worst team in the world for 20 minutes.

Captain Sione Tuipulotu acknowledged the team's growth, stating, "We've been through a lot in the last 12 months... I do feel like we've progressed a lot. Those experiences have allowed us to progress, especially in matches like Pretoria against the world champions."

With renewed confidence, Scotland aims to finally overcome their longstanding hoodoo against the All Blacks.