Māori All Blacks Fall Just Short in Thrilling Battle with Scotland
What a game we just witnessed in Whangārei — intense, emotional, and a true showcase of international rugby grit. The Māori All Blacks, a side rich in culture and pride, came agonizingly close to pulling off a memorable win against Scotland, only to fall short by just three points. Final score: 29-26 to the visitors. And honestly, it was one of those matches where the scoreboard didn’t quite capture the heart and fight shown on the pitch.
It all kicked off in stunning fashion — quite literally. The Māori All Blacks came out of the gates firing, scoring in the very first minute thanks to scrum-half Sam Nock, who followed up his passionate haka with a burst over the line, set up beautifully by Bailyn Sullivan. That early spark gave the home side momentum, but Scotland didn’t stay rattled for long. They regrouped quickly and answered back with precision. By halftime, Scotland had pulled ahead 24-12, even with a yellow card setback. Their clinical execution, particularly from George Horne who bagged two tries, made a big impact.
But it was the drama of the second half that truly made this match unforgettable. The Māori All Blacks found themselves down to 13 men within 10 minutes after yellow cards to Te Kamaka Howden and Zarn Sullivan. That period handed Scotland a major advantage, and they took it. Another try from Horne stretched their lead to 29-12.
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Still, the Māori All Blacks were not done. With the crowd behind them and pride on the line, they stormed back into the game. Kurt Eklund powered over the line from a maul, then Gideon Wrampling finished a slick phase of play to make it 29-26. Just three points in it, and still time on the clock.
The final minutes were edge-of-your-seat stuff. The Māori All Blacks had possession, territory, and the energy of the crowd pushing them forward. Scotland, defending for their lives, were reduced to 14 men when Cameron Henderson was sent to the bin. It looked like the hosts might just do it.
Phase after phase, the Māori All Blacks inched closer to the try line. They reached deep into their reserves, going through 28 consecutive phases in Scottish territory. But just when it seemed a comeback was inevitable, Scotland forced a crucial turnover and sealed their first-ever win over the Māori All Blacks.
It was a match that had it all — fast starts, gutsy defense, bone-rattling tackles, and sheer drama to the final whistle. The Māori All Blacks may not have walked away with the win, but they certainly walked off the field with their mana intact, having played a game worthy of their legacy. And for Scotland, this is a massive confidence boost as they move forward on their Pacific tour, next stop: Fiji.
Rugby fans were treated to something special in Whangārei. Matches like this remind us why we love the game.
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