6

32

NOT ALL-BLACK FOR SCOTS

Although Scotland could not respond to the flurry of New Zealand tries from Tuitavake, Weepu, Kahui and Boric, it was not all doom and gloom for the Murrayfield faithful.

A youthfully exuberant Scotland team endeavoured to play the expansive style of rugby beloved of their Southern Hemisphere counterparts. As a result the match made for a very spectator friendly display of rugby prowess at the highest level.

The extensive pre-match entertainment set the tone for the imminent clash of two proud nation's sporting elites.

As the crowd took their seats the New Zealand team emerged from the eerie blackout soon followed by a buoyant Scotland team, to the acclaim of the 51,511 strong crowd.

A rousing acapello version of the national anthem was followed by the world-renowned Haka. But it would be Scotland who would have the last say before the match, as Scotlands greatest ever Olympian and rugby aficionado Chris Hoy strided onto the pitch, carrying the match ball, fervently gesturing his passion for the Scotland cause.

Hoys endeavours translated into a promising Scotland attack from the kick off. Blair looked sprightly as ever as he took a quick tap from a penalty, Paterson was on hand in support and New Zealand were forced to commit the offence through killing the ball. The ever -reliable Paterson stepped up to put the first points on the board after 2 mins.

However, New Zealand quickly demonstrated their devastating counter attack, instigated by the menacing runs of full-back Isaia Toeava.

New Zealand pressure led to an early sin bin for Scotland centre Nick De Luca, after just four minutes, for use of the boot to dislodge the ball from an offside position.

Donald nudged the ball over from the resulting penalty to equal the scores.

Minutes later, Scotland found themselves down seven points as Donald nudged a deft cross field kick into the welcoming arms of Tuitavake who had little left to do but fall over the line. Donald converted.

In spite of the early blow, Scotland showed remarkable resilience and soaked up New Zealand pressure to mount an attack for themselves.

The Scotland backs seemed eager to test New Zealand in the wide areas and began to adopt the free flowing rugby style honed under the tutorship of backs coach, Sean Lineen.

Blair was always on hand to give Scotland the attacking edge that they craved but they were just not clinical enough in the visitors 22.

Both sides turned to their respective kickers to get points on the board as the match became a dogged defensive contest. Donald and Paterson both landed three pointers on the 18th and 21st minute mark respectively.

It was an unfortunate bounce of the ball that created another New Zealand try. Centre, Richard Kahui stabbed the ball through the Scotland backline and it found its way into the hands of the scrum-half Piri Weepu, who was able to barge his way over the whitewash on 25 minutes. An unlikely miss from Donald demonstrated the fallibility of the All Blacks.

Scotland continued to gain some promising field position and Patersons shot at goal from long - range sailed just wide of the posts on the 29th minute.

Scotland stampeded forwards through powerhouses Ford and Lamont but again drew up agonisingly close. Scotlands belief in their scrummaging abilities was evident as they eschewed kicking opportunities to front up against the men in black.

The unflinching nature of the Scotland scrum troubled New Zealand who appeared to collapse on a number of occasions.

Spectators began to question the persistence of the referee in resetting after each of these occasions. When Scotland finally won the ball, Hogg went blind sending an errant pass to Blair who took his eye off the ball with the line in sight.

In the dying minutes of the half, Evans chipped ahead following another promising Scotland attack. As players from both sides lunged at the ball the crowd were unsure to which side it would fall. To the dismay of the home support it fell again into New Zealand hands who were able to clear their lines prompting the half time whistle.

Half time 6-18

At half time, New Zealand coach Graham Henry replaced the enigmatic Toeava with sevens specialist, Corey Jane at full-back

Scotland suffered a double blow early on in the second half not only conceding a try courtesy of the clinical finishing of Man of the Match, Kahui but also a hamstring injury to the retreating Lamont. Donald converted to stretch New Zealands lead to 19 points.

Southwell replaced the injured Lamont, moving to full-back whilst Paterson took up his role on the wing. In spite of a somewhat dismal start Scotland regained the control in both possession and territory they had enjoyed in the opening half.

A training ground move from the Scotland backs unleashed the pace of Evans who surged towards the corner flag.

Having been tackled agonisingly close, Scotland remained camped on the New Zealand try line. But as another great try scoring opportunity was relinquished it was clear that it was not to be Scotlands day.

A series of replacements by both sides in the middle of the second half prevented any flagging in tempo from either side. A sequence of incisive runs from Paterson inspired his Scotland teammates, who continued to probe in the wide areas.

Although Scotland were unable to register any of their try scoring chances that went amiss, New Zealand managed to forego the easiest of try scoring opportunities.

Jane dropped the ball over the line after Afoa and debutant Messam had linked up to create the chance.

In the final stages Scotland demonstrated the dynamism and pace throughout their team epitomised by the powerful runs of replacement hooker, Dougie Hall.

However, it would be the clinical finishing of the New Zealand side that defined the contest as Donald collected his own grubber ahead and offloaded to the supporting Boric to score in the 74th minute. Replacement Carter slotted the extras.

Scotland Coach Frank Hadden summed up Scotlands day: "It was a frustrating afternoon, we dominated territory and possession but when it came to finishing New Zealand showed their class in that area."