Jack Dempsey, the Scotland back-rower, finds a unique and powerful motivation when facing the All Blacks, stemming from his Australian roots. Growing up in Australia, Dempsey felt a constant comparison between Australian rugby and their more successful neighbors, New Zealand, a dynamic he likens to the Scotland-England rivalry.
This historical context fuels Dempsey's best performances, with two of his career-defining matches occurring against New Zealand, one for Australia and one for Scotland. He recalls a particularly strong showing in last year's match against the All Blacks at Murrayfield, where Scotland narrowly missed a famous victory, ultimately falling to a late try.
With another opportunity to face the All Blacks in the Nations Championship, Dempsey's competitive fire remains intense. "You just go to another level instinctively," he stated, acknowledging the significance of the fixture.
Dempsey, who now plays for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan after leaving Glasgow Warriors, is a key player for Scotland. He will be unavailable for the Six Nations due to club commitments but aims to be part of Scotland's World Cup squad in Australia next year. He views a potential World Cup in his birth country as a fitting way to conclude his international career, though he remains focused on earning his place week by week.
"It would be a great way to go out in terms of international experience," Dempsey said about the prospect of a third World Cup. However, he emphasized the need to stay present, noting, "I’ve learned through my own career that it can all be taken away very quickly, either through injury or selection or whatever."
Should he play against the All Blacks, it would mark his 50th Test cap combined for Australia and Scotland, a milestone he finds particularly special given its personal significance rather than national ceremony. He expressed gratitude for his career with Scotland, stating, "making sure every cap — whether it’s All Blacks, World Cup, anything after or in between — just kind of play it like it’s your last, really."
Dempsey continues to follow his former club, Glasgow Warriors, and is adapting to life and rugby in Japan, describing it as a "different style" that requires re-learning the game. Despite the challenges, including a difficult Japanese language, he enjoys the experience and the opportunity to represent Scotland.