Friday October 16th 2026
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Josh Kerr
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
World-mile record holder and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Josh Kerr will deliver the match-ball at Scotland’s opening Nations Championship game of the season.
Kerr, 29, will rekindle a childhood dream, when he takes to Scottish Gas Murrayfield before a capacity 67,130 crowd as Scotland prepare to face New Zealand on Saturday 7 November.
Kerr told scottishrugby.org: “Growing up, playing for Scotland at a packed Murrayfield was the dream. Running out, singing Flower of Scotland and facing the haka before taking on the All Blacks. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.
“My sporting career took me in a different direction, but on November the 7th I’ll get to play a small part by delivering the match ball. It’s a huge honour for me and my family.”
Kerr, 29, Edinburgh-born and educated at George Watson’s College, grew up in a rugby-loving household.
Dad John made 11 appearances for Scotland A as a wing/centre between 1993 and 1998 out of the Haddington and Watsonians clubs, older brother Jake, 30, was capped for Scotland at hooker against Italy in 2019, having also played for Watsonians in the Super Series and for both Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears down south, while mum, Jill, who has a practice in Morningside, Edinburgh, is his physiotherapist.
This past year has been a formidable list of athletic achievement for Kerr. He won the 3,000m gold at the 2026 World Indoor Athletics Championships in Poland before obliterating the mile world record, which had stood since 1999, when running 3:42.66 at the London Diamond League meeting in the summer.
His assault on that world mile record was under the banner Project 222, and it tells you everything you need to know about his mindset that he broke the world record in . . . 222 seconds!
Thereafter, Kerr won gold for Scotland in the mile at the Commonwealth Games at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow and concluded his year by taking victory at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships with a dominant performance in the 1500m.
Kerr will have lunch with the Scotland squad on the eve of the match. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said: “We are delighted that Josh will be with us for our game against New Zealand.
“Celebrating and sharing the knowledge of elite sports people – all the more when they champion Scotland’s heritage – and enabling that connection is a source of huge pride.
“It will be great to have Josh with us and we’re also looking forward to welcoming Scotland’s most decorated Olympian, swimmer Duncan Scott, join us in camp before the Nations Championship resumes next month.”
Kerr, who is flying home from his base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, especially for the game, added: “Rugby has always been a big part of our lives. My dad and brother both played at a high level, and supporting Scotland is something we’ve always shared. If running hadn’t taken over, I know I would have pushed to see how far I could have gone following in their footsteps.
“There’s a connection to New Zealand through the mile, too. John Walker held the world record for years, and to now hold that same record is something I’m incredibly proud of.
“Breaking it this summer was a massive moment in my career. But winning Commonwealth gold in Glasgow, wearing the Scotland vest in front of a home crowd, meant something different.
“Standing there with the Saltire flying and singing Flower of Scotland is a moment I’ll never forget.
“I know how much that support can give you as an athlete. Hopefully, we can get right behind Gregor and the boys and help them produce a performance to remember. I’ll certainly be doing my bit from the stands.
“Thank you to Scottish Rugby for the invitation. Sharing this with my family will make it even more special. I can’t wait.”
Some hospitality places remain available for Scotland v New Zealand but are selling fast. Tickets are available HERE.
And match tickets are still available for Scotland’s later Nations Championship matches in November – against Australia on Sunday 15 and Japan on Saturday 21.
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