"It's a very important game for us. There is the Grand Slam and a few young guys who have come on this tour and are trying to make their mark," Umaga said.

"It's up to us to make the game a positive one."

The 67,000-capacity Murrayfield surface was in excellent order, helped by the high tech underground heaters which stop any ice forming on the grass.

A fine but bitterly cold day is forecast tomorrow, with Umaga saying gloves and thermal vests would be likely on-field apparel.

The morning snowfall was over when the All Blacks strolled around the ground and pivot Nick Evans practised his goalkicking.

Snowball-throwing was the extent of their exertions today.

Umaga said the prospect of a Grand Slam had been "made easier for the fact we have been focusing on each game as an important game.

"This one is no different. We can't go out there and expect things to happen.

"We have to play the game we have been practising for the last four weeks."

After some laboured backplay against England , there should be plenty of front foot ball to play with tomorrow to unleash an electric back three of Joe Rokocoko, Rico Gear and debutante Isaia Toeava.

Scotland, who struggled home 18-11 over Samoa last weekend, also favour an open, running game and may well punch above their weight before a predicted crowd of 45,000.

"They enjoy playing against us. They know everyone is counting them out, and that's dangerous for us," Umaga said.

"They have nothing to lose in everyone's eyes and we do."

Just four of tomorrow's starting 15 have played the All Blacks before -- wing Chris Paterson, loose forwards Simon Taylor and Jason White and experienced lock Scott Murray.

That was in 2001, the two teams' last meeting, which the All Blacks won 37-6 here.

Umaga, Richie McCaw, Chris Jack and Anton Oliver are the only survivors from that game in tomorrow's starting 15.

All players had got through training without incident this week, with halfback Piri Weepu suffering a minor hip flexor injury which had responded well to treatment and wasn't expected to hinder him tomorrow.