New Zealand 24 – Scotland 16
by “Lee Grant”
Scotland gave New Zealand a scare when they kicked for goal with ten minutes left to to take the lead. It missed and the Kiwis scored a converted try to clinch the game.
New Zealand [NZ] changed its starting lineup almost completely from the Twickenham test match. The only players retained were skipper Richie McCaw and fullback Ben Smith, both of whom missed the USA game in Chicago.
But the inclusion of Dan Carter, in his first “run-on” test since this time last year, was going to be a plus, because both first-fives used against England last week lacked authority.
Scotland was happy with it’s performance against Argentina: dominating in the first half with three tries. They kept their starting XV but replaced four reserves.
Dan Carter – had first test start for 12 months
First half
After some unpromising handling 8 Victor Vito received a bounce pass near halfway and powered through some poor defence to score in the corner in the tenth minute. It subdued the crowd but they were cheering on their feet soon afterwards when Scotland winger Tommy Seymour intercepted a Richie McCaw pass to score under the posts.
After scrumhalf Greg Laidlaw converted, Scotland led NZ 7-5 at 13 minutes.
When All Black lock Jeremy Thrush charged down a clearing kick by Scotland, a continual problem for them throughout the game, the Kiwis were able to threaten the Scots’ goal line, but were held up. Under penalty advantage, Carter slotted his first goal after fluffing two earlier. NZ took the lead 8-7 at 27 minutes.
Victor Vito – scored the first try of the match
Before the break Carter kicked more two penalties, to one for Laidlaw, for a half-time score of 14-10 to the All Blacks.
After 40 minutes Scotland was matching the Kiwis physically but they had scrum problems, and although they had a few visits into NZ territory they couldn’t retain the ball when they got there.
The comprehensive change to the All Black side was a good exercise for coach Hansen a year out from the RWC, but the the altered run-on team was playing without accuracy or rhythm. Some of the regular reserves who started the game didn’t look any better than the bench players of other nations, despite many having a run together in Chicago.
Scrumhalf Greg Laidlaw – key player for Scotland
Second half
After the interval there were recurrent episodes when Scotland had the ball in their own half and couldn’t get the ball into NZ territory, let alone have possession there. The Kiwis’ pressure on ball runs and clearing kicks was relentless, especially after many regular 1st XV players came from the bench.
On a rare visit Laidlaw goaled a penalty kick for Scotland to come within one point: 14-13.
But another poor Scots’ clearance enabled 14. Colin Slade to slot a penalty with 15 minutes left, though Scotland recovered the restart kick. Now in NZ territory Laidlaw replied with a Scotland penalty and the score was 17-16 to NZ at 67 minutes—and this despite many All Black regulars being on the park for some time.
Braveheart flanker Rob Harley tackles Richie McCaw
Then came the drama of the missed opportunity for Scotland to take the lead with ten minutes remaining.
NZ applied the pressure to Scotland in their own half again, and after another poor clearance the Kiwis had a lineout 25 metres out and showed who they were when Thrush scored.
Final score: New Zealand 24 – Scotland 16.
It was a scrappy win for the world champions though Hansen got some good data.
Jeremy Thrush was given the man-of-the-match award and it was well-earned.
After the first NZ try the Scotland defence was first rate and each of their backrowers were Bravehearts throughout the whole match.
Jeremy Thrush – man of the match – scoring clinching try
The Players
Scotland: 1. A. Dickinson, 2. R. Ford, 3. E. Murray, 4. R. Gray, 5. J. Gray, 6. R. Harley, 7. B. Cowan, 8. A. Ashe, 9. G. Laidlaw (c), 10. F. Russell, 11. T. Seymour, 12. A. Dunbar, 13. M. Bennett, 14. S. Maitland, 15. S. Hogg.
Reserves: 16. F. Brown, 17. G. Reid, 18. G. Cross, 19. D. Denton, 20. J. Beattie, 21. C. Cusiter, 22. D. Weir, 23. S. Lamont.
New Zealand: 1. J. Moody, 2. J. Parsons, 3. C. Faumuina, 4. J. Thrush, 5. D. Bird, 6. R. McCaw (c), 7. S. Cane, 8. V. Vito, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. D. Carter, 11. C. Piutau, 12. R. Crotty, 13. M. Fekitoa, 14, C. Slade, 15. B. Smith.
Reserves: 16. D. Coles, 17. W. Crockett, 18. B. Franks,19. L. Romano, 20. L. Messam, 21.A. Pulu, 22. SB Williams, 23. J. Savea.
The scoring
New Zealand 24 ( V. Vito, J. Thrush tries; C. Slade con, pen; D. Carter 3 pens) def. Scotland 16 (T. Seymour try; G. Laidlaw 3 pens, con).
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