Heroic Scotland denied at the end

Scotland captain John Barclay was left rueing “the one that got away” after his inspired side came close to an historic victory against New Zealand in a 22-17 defeat against the world champions.

Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks but a converted 76th-minute try by centre Huw Jones put Gregor Townsend’s team within five points and the capacity 67 500 crowd at Murrayfield was at fever pitch when Stuart Hogg threatened to break through for a last second try that would have levelled the scores – and given flyhalf Finn Russell a shot at a winning conversion.

Only a copybook cover tackle by flyhalf Beauden Barrett denied the flying Glasgow fullback.

“We’re gutted,” said Barclay, whose side kept the All Blacks scoreless until the 38th minute and were level at half-time, 3-3.

“It’s great that we took it to the last play. When Stuart Hogg went through at the end, I thought he was going to go round him. On another day, maybe he would have slipped round him.”

Hogg himself lamented: “We were on the brink of something pretty special. But credit to Beauden Barrett. That was a cracking tackle.”

Second-half tries from New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor, full back Damian McKenzie and flyhalf Barrett – plus two conversions and a penalty from Barrett – proved just enough to overcome a Scotland side for whom lock Jonny Gray and centre Jones crossed the All Black line in a pulsating second half.

“I’m pretty proud,” said Townsend, the former Scotland flyhalf who assumed the reins from Vern Cotter in May.

“The effort by the players was outstanding. The courage to keep on going was great to see and encouraging for the future.”

All Black head coach Steve Hansen insisted that he was relieved at the sound of the final whistle.

“I was pretty satisfied,” he said. “I thought it was a great game. Scotland stood up to be counted and so did we.

“I’m happy that we came out on top. There are a few things we’ve got to improve on.” – AFP