New Zealand beat Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield on 7 November, the All Blacks' official match report says, as Beauden Barrett scored twice and reached 50 Test tries. Scotland stayed close through the opening half but did not score after the interval.
Barrett turns a narrow lead into a decisive win
Scotland looked capable of changing a long-standing rivalry. Hooker Ewan Ashman scored a hat-trick, with two tries coming from lineout drives. New Zealand lost Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi to the sin-bin during a penalty-heavy opening half. The All Blacks' 7 November match report says New Zealand still led 24-21 at the interval.
The visitors tightened their defence after the break. Josh Moorby finished a move created by Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett, before Beauden Barrett linked with Damian McKenzie for his second try. Asafo Aumua added another after New Zealand won a turnover and used the resulting lineout. Scotland could not add to Ashman's first-half scoring.
The All Blacks' post-match account describes a change in their kicking and defensive connection. Head coach Dave Rennie said, “We went to a contestable kick game” in the team's published interview. Rennie said the switch reduced Scotland's counterattacking opportunities and gave New Zealand more territory. The side's forwards also used the scrum and lineout to keep Scotland under pressure.
Ashman's tries checked against the pre-match selection
SportsRivo checked its pre-match Scotland team report against New Zealand Rugby's scoring summary: Ewan Ashman, named as Scotland's starting hooker, scored every home try. The earlier selection featured a Glasgow Warriors core led by captain Sione Tuipulotu, but Ashman supplied the finishes that kept the hosts close.
The All Blacks' 7 November report says Scotland remain winless after 34 meetings with New Zealand. The home team had reduced a rapid New Zealand start to a narrow half-time deficit, yet the second-half shutout extended that run. Barrett's second try also marked a personal career milestone within the same international result.
What the result changes for both sides
- New Zealand turned a narrow interval lead into another Nations Championship win by preventing Scotland from scoring after the break.
- Barrett's two tries took him to his Test career milestone, while Ashman's hat-trick came in a losing effort.
- Scotland's search for a first victory over New Zealand continues despite its strong lineout and first-half response.
Wales await in Cardiff
The Nations Championship fixture page lists New Zealand away to Wales at Cardiff on 14 November. The All Blacks take the Murrayfield win into that next match, with the response after half-time giving the team a clearer picture of what worked against Scotland.
Source: All Blacks