New Zealand survived a late scare to edge Scotland 25-17 in a thrilling Autumn Nations Series encounter at Murrayfield. The All Blacks appeared in control for much of the match, building a 17-0 lead, but a determined Scottish side staged a remarkable comeback after exploiting periods of New Zealand’s numerical disadvantage.
Scotland showed resilience, leveling the scores on the hour mark after New Zealand had spent a total of 30 minutes with three players in the sin bin. Key figures in Scotland’s revival included Gregor Brown and Jack Dempsey in the back row, with Kyle Steyn and Rory Hutchinson providing attacking flair. The hosts repeatedly tested the All Blacks’ defence, with Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn combining on the right flank to create several scoring opportunities.
Despite Scotland’s spirited response, Damian McKenzie proved decisive. His pinpoint 50-22 kick with 10 minutes remaining set up New Zealand’s first real attacking opportunity of the second half. McKenzie then finished a slick move in the corner and later added a long-range penalty to put the All Blacks beyond reach. His timing could not have been more critical, with Scotland threatening to seize control during a period of numerical superiority.
New Zealand’s earlier tries came from quick-thinking backline moves, with Josh Lord and Will Jordan crossing for early scores. Wallace Sititi, despite receiving a yellow card, impressed with strong running and tactical awareness, linking play effectively to maintain pressure on Scotland.
Scotland’s captain, Sione Tuipulotu, acknowledged the pivotal momentum shift around the 45-minute mark. “That period was one of the biggest I’ve played in,” he said. Scotland demonstrated skill and courage but were ultimately undone by the All Blacks’ ability to strike at critical moments, a hallmark of their sustained dominance in international rugby.
The result extends Scotland’s winless streak against New Zealand to 33 matches, but their performance highlighted growing competitiveness and the potential for future success. Meanwhile, New Zealand showed why they remain one of the most formidable sides in world rugby, combining discipline, tactical awareness, and composure under pressure to claim the win.
