Scotland fall short of shock win over New Zealand

EDINBURGH, AFP: Scotland were left to rue a series of wasted opportunities after a 31-23 defeat to New Zealand left them still waiting for an historic first win over the All Blacks yesterday.

The visitors looked set to cruise to a 30th win in 32 meetings between the sides when they raced into a 14-0 lead after just seven minutes thanks to tries from Samisoni Taukei’aho and Mark Telea.

But the Kiwis failed to add another point for 55 minutes as Scotland took control, with Finn Russell pulling the strings on his return after being controversially left out by Gregor Townsend for Scotland’s first two Autumn internationals against Australia and Fiji.

Scotland hit back to level inside 15 minutes as Stuart Hogg forced a penalty try before Darcy Graham intercepted an errant pass to cross in the corner before a trio of Russell penalties put the hosts in command.

But New Zealand much more clinical when their chances came in the final 20 minutes as Scott Barrett muscled over before Telea rounded off a dream debut with his second try of the match.

There were emotional scenes at a sold out Murrayfield before kick-off as former Scottish international Doddie Weir, who is suffering from motor neurone disease, was introduced to the crowd alongside his family.

The crowd were quickly quietened as New Zealand looked set to pick up where the left off in thrashing Wales 55-23 last weekend.

Taukei’aho barreled over the line for the opening try after just two minutes.

Telea did not take long to make his mark on the international stage as he had acres of space to latch onto Jordie Barrett’s perfectly judged cross-field kick.

Hogg hit out at his critics for concentrating too much on his appearance rather than his rugby this week and the Exeter full-back produced the moment of magic needed to get Murrayfield off their feet.

A penalty try was awarded and a yellow card shown to Anton Lienert-Brown for a tackle off the ball after Hogg looked favourite to collect his chip and chase into the in-goal area.

Scotland took just two minutes to level thanks to another Kiwi error as Graham intercepted David Havili’s intended pass to Beauden Barrett and just had the speed to evade Caleb Clarke and Jordie Barrett to the line.

Russell’s vision and Hogg’s speed teed up Graham to cross over once more in the corner, but the Edinburgh wing had just placed one foot into touch.