Scotland Falls Short as All Blacks Hold On at Murrayfield
What an afternoon it was at Murrayfield! The Scottish fans had high hopes as their team faced the mighty New Zealand All Blacks in the Autumn Nations Series, but ultimately, the All Blacks held their ground, winning 25-17 in a game full of drama and intensity. Scotland made a valiant effort, especially in the second half, but their hopes of a historic victory were shattered once again.
The match began with New Zealand asserting themselves immediately. Within the first three minutes, Cam Roigard scored the opening try, setting the tone for the All Blacks. Beauden Barrett added a penalty soon after, and by halftime, New Zealand had already built a commanding 17-0 lead, with Will Jordan crossing the line for a try just before the break. It was a tough first half for Scotland, who struggled to break through the All Blacks’ defensive structure and composure.
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However, the second half brought a remarkable response from the home side. Ewan Ashman opened Scotland’s account with a try in the 46th minute, followed shortly by Kyle Steyn, who crossed the line in the 51st minute. Finn Russell was perfect with his conversions, leveling the score at 17-17 and briefly reigniting the hope of Murrayfield’s centenary crowd. The atmosphere was electric, and it felt as though Scotland was on the verge of achieving something extraordinary.
Yet, the All Blacks demonstrated why they are one of the most formidable teams in rugby history. Damian McKenzie, who would later be named player of the match, scored a critical try in the 74th minute to regain the lead for New Zealand. Despite Scotland’s persistent pressure, McKenzie added a late penalty in the 79th minute, sealing the 25-17 victory. The All Blacks’ discipline and ability to capitalize on key moments proved decisive.
After the match, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend acknowledged the effort and character of his players but expressed the frustration of falling short once again. “The effort that went in was all character,” he said, noting that the team needed to take the next step to turn performances like this into victories. Damian McKenzie, reflecting on his performance, highlighted the importance of patience and composure, praising his team’s ability to finish off the game despite Scotland’s resurgence.
For Scotland, the result continues a long-standing streak—they remain without a win against New Zealand in 33 attempts. Yet, the performance showed promise, with moments of brilliance and resilience that hint at a team steadily growing stronger. Murrayfield witnessed a pulsating contest that will be remembered for Scotland’s spirited fight and the All Blacks’ clinical execution, making it another memorable chapter in this historic rivalry.
In the end, the All Blacks left Scotland with their unbeaten record intact, while the home fans were left to dream about what might have been, in a match that was as thrilling as it was heartbreaking.
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