We value your privacy

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.

With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation. You may click to consent to our and our partners’ processing as described above. Please note that some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

More Options

Sun 16 Nov 2014 | 07:16
Scotland give New Zealand Murrayfield scare but come up short

10
Comments

Scotland were left ruing the missed opportunity to spring the biggest upset of the year as New Zealand held things together to survive a scare and win 24-16 at Murrayfield on Saturday. A late try from lock Jeremy Thrush put the home side out of contention.

It wasn't the best All Blacks XV on show but Scotland, wearing their alternate strip, took it to the world champions and were in the game right up until the last five minutes, when the experience and power of the visitors took effect. 

Scotland had never beaten New Zealand, so they'll feel that this was one that got away, while the All Blacks might reconsider fielding such an experimental side in future.

Scotland's Kiwi coach Vern Cotter was pleased with the character his side showed.

"If you look at our defence, I thought our defence was excellent. A few players really put their hands up and led the team, everybody contributed. I think we can get confidence in the way we vary our play. We can attack, we can kick, we can use short side, we can use space in the back...

"One thing you can be sure of, is that there's character in there. And that's very important," he said.

Steve Hansen was impressed, saying that Scotland could be a Six Nations dark horse.

"I think Scotland are a very good side on the way up. I really do mean that sincerely. I think by the time the Six Nations comes around they will be right in it," Hansen said.

Scotland suffered a number of injuries in the physical clash, with some players completing the game but requiring further care from the medical team.

They include, Alasdair Dickinson (lower leg), Alex Dunbar (ankle), Adam Ashe, Blair Cowan (both neck strain), Richie Gray, Ross Ford (both shoulder), Tommy Seymour, Greig Laidlaw (both hand) and Euan Murray (groin). Mark Bennett (hamstring) will return to his club.

View extended match highlights below, including post match interviews with Stuart Hogg and intercept try scorer Tommy Seymour. On the next page you can view the Scottish press conference with coach Cotter and skipper Greig Laidlaw.

Credit: Scottish Rugby TV

Posted By: Grant Constable

10 Comments

  • corrie
    7:33 AM 20/11/2014

    It will take many years to see a an AB side playing that poorly again.

  • drg
    7:30 AM 19/11/2014

    What I meant was: It would make sense that Hansen had a bit of a big plan going on, considering the 'danger men' he had on the bench. So if his big plan wasn't going too well 60 mins in, I suspect he'd have brought on SBW et al, earlier. - (Hence the comment saying he had no intention of losing).

    It was interesting to see the impact SBW made, there was no sudden change, however his running was so powerful, that being brought on so late on; fresh, against tired opposition, it did look that if he'd been given another 15 mins or so, he could have created a very real problem.

    Not quite sure how he'll emulate the hostile refereeing...

  • oldflyhalf
    10:32 PM 18/11/2014

    It goes without saying that Hansen, the men in black, did not take into account any moment they could lose this match against the Scotland. ...is elementary. :)
    I think they are trying, among many other specific topics to the game of rugby, to simulate different conditions of playing that they think will meet the World Cup.
    - to play against hostil refereeing. to play in outnumbered.
    - to play given that 3-4 players are not the best day etc.

    I repeat, are only personal opinions.

  • drg
    7:26 PM 18/11/2014

    I'd be inclined to agree in some respect with that view. I'm not 100% on it, but it appeared to me Hansen had no intention of losing that game, hence the key figures he had dotted about and sitting on the bench. However no doubt he wanted to see what his 'other lads' could do.

    Personally I found the whole thing entirely enjoyable, especially the amount of self belief by the boys in blu-er-red... I feel NZ have now begun a campaign of fear before the game. The big names, the repetitive relentless wins etc, there is some 'higher level' type of aura to them. However I truly felt that every one of the Scottish players ignored it completely and went out their feeling like they had every right to face the AB's. I feel like I've seen teams take to the field almost with a "we're not allowed to win/or do well against the AB's" and they just look like they know the game is over before it starts. The Scots looked like they knew it was a fair contest and they were after everything they could get.

    All in all a thoroughly enjoyable game.

  • oldflyhalf
    10:59 AM 17/11/2014

    All,

    The match with Scotland, in your opinion, was an opportunity for All blacks to interpret "live" several themes predetermined by S. Hansen ?
    for example : "playing under a psychical pressure generated of closely score until the last minute of the match ?"

    The obviously progress, the merits of the boys of Scotland team, in this fall are undeniable.

  • alasdairduncan3
    9:14 AM 17/11/2014

    I think Wales will pick up their game again by the Six Nations. They didn't play as poorly as the result shows in that Fiji match, the game was killed by some strange tactical decisions by both teams and some inexplicable officiating. They nearly beat Australia last week, so they clearly aren't all that bad.

    Scotland have been a joy to watch in these last couple of matches. They've played more like Glasgow than Scotland of recent years, and it makes me very happy. I like where NH rugby is going at the moment. Well done to France too.

  • friedrich
    4:09 AM 17/11/2014

    Very nice to see some guys playing rugby instead of a press conference with the trainer and captain. Very refreshing

  • thefrenchrugbyfan
    12:13 AM 17/11/2014

    lemme guess, you are for Scotland?

    On a more serious note, I don't know if I should be happy for scotland's impressive increase in quality. They will make the 6 nations more interesting but will force France to take them seriously and yet still possibly (Frenchly?) lose against them. Thumbs up to Vern Cotter, though, the Kiwi magician deserves all the applause he can get. What a coach.

    Italy have a wooden spoon ahead of them and I reckon Wales will have a tough 6 nations. France, ireland, England, and now Scotland are playing great rugby and they are narrowly surviving against the Fidji. Gatland has to do something.

  • ak-nz
    11:25 PM 16/11/2014

    This is about the best I have seen Scotland play against the All Blacks, at least in recent memory. I thought overall their game was outstanding, and their defense in particular was immense. I felt that the ABs were not particularly potent in attack, and our general play was very sub standard. Scotland was able to capitalise on a lot of our basic errors, and coupled with their superior general play, they were the better team for me on balance.

    Carter's place kicking was a let down, as were some of his handling skills at times, but I think his general kicking game was quite sound. McCaw didn't have his best game by a long shot either, and with such an inexperienced starting line up, I think they both really needed to perform against a Scottish side coming off the back of a good win against one of our regular opponents. I think perhaps Hansen's selections were a bit too experimental and too many of the combinations weren't quite gelling. However, it was nice to see Slade had a good game, I also thought Sam Cane was quite solid.

    Scotland were great though. They put in a fantastic overall team effort, and I think had our bench not been as strong as it was, the All Blacks would've been staring down the barrel of their first ever loss to them. Scotland have a great player and captain in Laidlaw, I thought his distribution and handling were excellent. Their backline also shows some real promise. I think if they can continue to play with that sort of intensity and perhaps a little more polish at scrum time, they will be a serious handful come the World Cup.

    Personally, I think it is awesome to see Scotland play the way they did in this match. I'm very proud of my Scottish heritage and always love to see them do well. I just hope they can continue this sort of form. So, good luck for the upcoming season Scotland, I think you'll make a real dent in the 6N with your current game.

  • mattyj
    10:18 PM 16/11/2014

    Incredibly entertaining game to watch! Best bits include; Rich giving away the interception, penalties and knocking on, Finn & co double teaming Dan Carter and someone else to spill the ball, Sean Lamont fending a man to the ground every time he ran with the ball, (not specifically sure who it was, may also be Lamont or Seymour) a Scotland player tackling Savea BY HIMSELF and then stripping him of the ball and of course Hogg's Savea squat flip! Immense game from Scotland, they surely won't be taking the wooden spoon in the 6 Nations playing like this!

Related Articles