New Zealand finally wins in Scotland

At Murrayfield, the miracle did not happen. After being beaten by Australia (15-16) and thumping the Fijians (28-12) during the month of November, the Scots were unable to bring down the All Blacks on Sunday. They led from the 31st to the 66th and believed in the historic achievement, but could not end a long streak of defeats that began in 1905 against this opponent. Thus, of the great oval nations, Scotland remains the only country that has never knocked down New Zealand.

Quickly put into orbit with four tries scored in less than a quarter of an hour (14-14), two on each side, while the All Blacks attacked fiercely (fourth by Taukei’aho, seventh by Telea), this match was evenly balanced (kick attempts A penalty for Scotland in the 12th minute, then the individual achievement of winger Graham in the 14th minute). Then he fell slightly to restore his good rhythm in the last ten minutes, with a penalty kick that fell on Finn Russell (31), and the forgotten Caledonian team returned to its grace, which added two more shots (43, 54) to push it back. Team in the lead, 23-14, with a small break up front.

The All Blacks accelerated in the last quarter of an hour

Three times (29, 40, 48), the Scots almost failed to score a third try but Murphy’s Law, the Irish referee for this match, was essential. Jimmy Ritchie’s teammates can only blame themselves, confusing the Kiwis’ speed and haste in the goal. They also faced a solid black defense. At the tick of the clock, the moment remained historic: would Scotland have put an end to the cameras of L’Équipe, an extremely long run of 31 matches without a win against the All Blacks?

Sluggish, clumsy, looking a little wary of this meeting, the New Zealanders – after crumbling the Welsh (23-55) last Saturday – waited for the last quarter of an hour to make their move. Thanks to the Barrett brothers, a try from Scott in the 66th minute, a goal (63rd) and a Jordy conversion, then a brace from Talia (75th), the All Blacks regained the advantage (23-31) while taking advantage of the numerical advantage. Excellence (yellow card against Dempsey, 65th place). The brave Scots didn’t know how to regain control and ended up kneeling after hoping for so much.