The All Blacks stayed unbeaten on their European tour with a hard-fought 25–17 win against Scotland on Sunday morning at Murrayfield Stadium.
The match started well for the visitors, who raced to a 17–0 lead, but they had to dig deep after Scotland launched a spirited comeback.
New Zealand scored early through Cam Roigard and Will Jordan, taking control of possession and territory in the first half. But their discipline faltered, with three players shown yellow cards during the game. This allowed Scotland back into the match, and by the final quarter the score was tied at 17–17.
The All Blacks showed determination in the final minutes. A clever kick put them five metres from Scotland’s line, leading to a try in the corner that put them back in front. A late penalty added three more points to seal the result.
Although the All Blacks will be pleased with the win, the game exposed areas to improve. They looked vulnerable under high balls and struggled to defend against Scotland’s powerful mauls. Their second-half defence was tested, but strong leadership from Ardie Savea and solid set-piece work helped them hold firm.
Leicester Fainga’anuku was a standout, threatening with the ball and even filling in as a forward when numbers were down. Fabian Holland and Samisoni Taukei’aho also played key roles in maintaining structure during tense moments.
This result keeps the All Blacks’ Grand Slam hopes alive, with upcoming Tests against England and Wales.
