New Zealand survived an almighty scare to preserve their unbeaten record against Scotland in an enthralling Autumn Nations Series clash at BT Murrayfield.
Late tries from Scott Barrett and Mark Telea spared the All Blacks from a shock defeat after Scotland led for much of the contest.
The hosts recovered from an early 14-point deficit to take a 23-14 lead with just over 15 minutes to go thanks to a penalty try and a superb Darcy Graham score.
The prospect of a first-ever Scotland win against New Zealand made for a deafening atmosphere but the All Blacks kept their composure and Barrett’s try with 13 minutes remaining and Telea’s second try on debut saw the visitors break Scottish hearts.
It was, however, a performance in complete contrast to the one that they put in to beat Wales 55-23 a week ago, as Scotland hurried and harassed New Zealand for much of the game.
The All Blacks had started quickly through tries from Samisoni Taukei’aho and Telea but suddenly went stone cold as a penalty try and Graham’s wonder try levelled the score in the 15th minute.
New Zealand made uncharacterised mistakes and allowed returning fly-half Finn Russell to kick three penalties, but Scotland, despite several opportunities, failed to punch in another try.
They were made to pay when Barrett smashed his way over the tryline in the 67th minute before Telea sealed it with a sliding finish in the corner.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
There was a special moment just before kick-0ff as former Scotland player Doddie Weir presented the match ball, five years on from the launch of his My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Weir also greeted the crowd before this fixture five years ago and watched on as the All Blacks put Scotland to the sword. They threatened to do so again in a blistering first eight minutes.
Taukei’aho scored the first try in just the third minute from a line-out as Scotland were caught cold, before Telea matched his fellow debutant with a try from a sumptuous Jordie Barrett cross-field kick.
A cricket score appeared to be on the cards but Scotland responded brilliantly to light up the match and BT Murrayfield, as Stuart Hogg chased a loose ball into the in-goal area and was shoved over by Anton Leinert-Brown before he could touch down.
The TMO awarded a penalty try and a yellow card to the All Blacks centre and just three minutes later, Scotland scored a second try to move level.
Graham showed some superb anticipation to intercept a loose David Havili pass, scamper down the right touchline, beat the covering Barrett and finish an incredible try.
With their tails up, Scotland put the All Blacks under incredible pressure for the rest of the half and should have taken a big lead into the break.
However, they were twice penalised just a metre from the try line – once when Jamie Ritchie was found to have used hands on the floor and again on the stroke of halftime for not releasing.
Russell’s first penalty in the 31st minute ensured Scotland led by three points at the break and allowed home fans to dream of a first ever win against New Zealand.
STING IN THE TAIL
New Zealand were surprisingly flat for so much of the first half and Scotland had them on the back foot again early in the second, as Duhan van der Merwe’s broke a couple of tackles and surged into All Blacks territory.
The referee spotted an All Black offside and awarded a penalty, as Russell booted Scotland six points ahead.
In general play, the hosts were on top and dominating possession and territory. Hogg was rejuvenated at full-back, slipping through tackles and breaking the gainline at will – and he came close to adding a third try eight minutes into second half.
The No.15 saw a gap, broke through and took Scotland to within two metres of the line but again they failed to leave with points, this time because of a knock-on.
However, a scrum penalty shortly after gave Russell the chance to extend the lead and he duly dissected the posts to increase the growing belief at BT Murrayfield.
Scotland had scored 23 unanswered points but New Zealand finally ended that streak when Jordie Barrett kicked a penalty in the 63rd minute – 53 since their last score – to make it 23-17.
That slight slackening of the chains loosened up New Zealand they quickly regained the lead. Scotland’s replacement flanker Jack Dempsey was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on on his own try line and in the next phase, Scott Barrett squeezed across for the try.
That switched the momentum and New Zealand, boosted by a second wind, capitalised when Telea steamed in for his second try from close range to seal a thrilling comeback win.
