Mustchin is relishing a match-up with the All Blacks © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Mat Mustchin

Teams: New Zealand

All Blacks have been known to end or cut short a rival's international rugby career.

But for Canterbury turned Scottish loose forward Matt Mustchin, the prospect of a test against his homeland helped inspire him to play on. At 31 years of age and a decade into his first class rugby career injuries were starting to wear down the durable lock/blindside flanker.

But once it became apparent the All Blacks were attempting another Grand Slam tour of the Home Unions, Mustchin took steps to ensure he would be available for a clash with Richie McCaw, one of the players who stymied his representative career in Christchurch. Mustchin, who played nine games for Canterbury between 1999-2001 and a solitary appearance for the unbeaten 2002 Crusaders, made his test debut against Argentina at Rosario in June -- but Saturday's test at Murrayfield was always the end goal.

"When I was named to play Argentina, the All Blacks were in the back of my mind," Mustchin told NZPA. Scottish coach Frank Hadden and Mustchin's club coach at the Edinburgh Gunners, Andy Robinson, also realised the significance of the encounter and allowed him to get some niggles sorted.

"I got my knee tied up and my dodgy ankle, just the wear and tear of 10 years of rugby. I'm pretty well managed by my club and this game has spurred me on to keep playing," said Mustchin, who became a test player practically by accident."

Mustchin hadn't realised until July that he qualified for Scotland under the three-year residency rule and after clearing it with his parents Bryan and Judith he eagerly joined the ranks of the Kilted Kiwis. Counties midfielder Sean Lineen started the ex-pats club in 1989 and has been followed by the Leslie brothers Martin and John, Gordon Simpson, Glenn Metcalfe, Shaun Longstaff and Brendan Laney.

Mustchin had represented New Zealand at under-16 and under-19 levels via Canterbury but the province's talent development system also counted against him. Just as he was targeting a step up to the NPC Mustchin found the pathway blocked by the likes of Scott Robertson, Reuben Thorne, Sam Broomhall and Richie McCaw.

Then Johnny Leo'o's arrival from the Bay of Plenty clarified his playing future -- he needed greener, less congested, pastures. "It was a great learning environment but there comes a time when after all the training you actually want to play," he said.

So Mustchin moved to Ulster in 2003 and two season later joined Edinburgh, where he has virtually been ever-present in the top side. He initially replaced Canterbury legend Todd Blackadder on the blindside flank and is now just as home in the second row.

Mustchin has been named on the bench to cover lock and blindside and looked at the All Blacks new back row with a degree of envy. "It's exciting. Liam's (Messam) a brilliant ball runner and Kieran's time has come. The people back home have heard a lot about him over the last 12 months -- he's similar to Reuben Thorne."

Meanwhile, Mustchin will not be alone in feeling unusual facing the haka. In the stands Scotland forwards coach Mike Brewer will also be familiar with both national anthems.

"We talked about how strange it'll be," Mustchin said. He has exchanged text messages with McCaw, who is also on the bench, after the teams were named. "It'd be great if we were both on the sideline at the same time and went on together," Mustchin said.