Scotland threatens Kiwis right to last second
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 tied the scores – and given fly-half Finn Russell a shot at a winning conversion.
Only a copybook cover tackle by New Zealand outside half Beauden Barrett denied the flying Glasgow fullback.
“We’re gutted,” said Barclay, whose side kept the All Blacks off the scoreboard until the 38th minute and were level at half-time, 3-3.
“We feel that maybe that’s the one that got away, but I’m very proud of the effort and the intensity that we put in out there. We had a great mentality today to have a go.
“It’s great that we took it to the last play.”
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 Kiwi hooker Codie Taylor, fullback Damian McKenzie and fly-half 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.