All Blacks stage late rally as Scots squander big chance

SCOTLAND squandered a ninepoint lead in the final quarter as they missed out on a first-ever victory over New Zealand in a pulsating autumn Test at BT Murrayfield.

Gregor Townsend’s side looked on course for a famous triumph when they roared back from an early 14-0 deficit to claim a 23-14 advantage courtesy of a penalty try, a Darcy Graham touchdown and 11 points from the boot of the recalled Finn Russell.

But the All Blacks turned things around in the closing stages with a couple of tries from Scott Barrett and Mark Telea, while Scotland replacement Jack Dempsey was in the sin-bin.

There was an emotional start to proceedings as 52-year-old former Scotland international Doddie Weir, in the throes of his battle with motor neurone disease, made a rare appearance at the national stadium to present the ball before kick-off.

But Scotland – with Weir’s famous yellow and blue tartan adorning the numbers on the back of their purple kits to mark the fifth anniversary of his charity foundation – got off to the worst possible start when Samisoni Taukei’aho seized possession following a line-out and eased his way over the line in the third minute. Jordie Barrett converted.

And things got worse for the hosts as debutant Telea ran onto a crossfield kick from Beauden Barrett and burrowed over. Jordie Barrett again added the extras.

At 14-0 down, Scotland looked in danger of being ripped to shreds but they dug in and found a way back into the game, led by Stuart Hogg.

In the 12th minute, the fullback

SCOTLAND ..................... 23 NEW ZEALAND .............. 31

kicked over the top and scampered after it himself. Just as he looked set to slam it down for a try, Anton Lienert-Brown took him out.

Following a TMO review, a penalty try was awarded.

Incredibly, the Scots were level three minutes later when Graham intercepted an All Blacks attack near halfway and burst forward to claim a magnificent try. Russell kicked the conversion.

For all the pressure they enjoyed, Townsend’s team would have been disappointed not to have added a third try before the break, although they did make sure they had a half-time lead to show for their efforts when Russell kicked a 31st-minute penalty.

The hosts picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, with Russell adding a second penalty three minutes after the restart.

The Racing 92 fly-half added another penalty in the 54th minute, taking the Scots nine points clear.

But Jordie Barrett brought New Zealand back into it when he kicked a penalty in the 63rd minute.

And the momentum of the game continued to turn in favour of the tourists when Dempsey was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.

From the scrum that followed, Scott Barrett forced his way over and Jordie Barrett again made no mistake with the conversion to edge New Zealand back in front.

And the Scots’ hopes of a famous win were effectively ended when Telea bounded over for his second try of the match.