Scotland went from 17-0 down to level at 17-17 in extra time against the All Blacks at Murrayfield, aiming for their first win over New Zealand, but Damien McKenzie’s late goal gave the visitors victory. Scotland played with 14 men for 10 minutes in the final quarter thanks to Wallace City’s sin-bin, but could not score.
Last updated: 08/11/25 21:35
Scotland, led by Sione Tuipulotu and Finn Russell, battled from 17-0 behind to tie at 17-17, with the All Blacks only winning in the closing stages.
Scotland’s comeback from a 17-point deficit fell short on Saturday as the All Blacks broke through Scotland’s spirit in the closing stages to win 25-17.
The All Blacks went into half-time with a 17-0 lead, thanks to tries from scrum-half Cam Rougaard (three goals) and full-back Will Jordan (40 points), as well as seven points from Beauden Barrett.
But Scotland bounced back in the second half, with hooker Euan Ashman and winger Kyle Steyn scoring two tries in five minutes, but Pierre Schumann and Darcy Graham knocked them out one meter in front of the tryline and they missed two more.
Scotland – Tri: Ashman (46), Stein (51). Weaknesses: Russell (47, 52). Pen: Russell (60).
New Zealand – Tries: Rougaard (3), Jordan (40), McKenzie (74). Weaknesses: B Barrett (4, 41). Penn: Barrett (29), McKenzie (79).
A Finn Russell penalty tied Scotland at 17-17 at the end of the game, and Scotland had a chance when Wallace City’s deliberate knock-on gave New Zealand their third sin-binning of the day.
However, the hosts were unable to score against the All Blacks’ 14 men, but instead Damien McKenzie produced two excellent plays for the visitors, firstly setting up a superb field position for 50 minutes and 22 seconds, then scoring a superb corner to take the lead.
McKenzie then made no mistake with a 79th-minute penalty to secure the win.
The visiting team took the lead within three minutes, silencing the home supporters. Second-rower Josh Lord made a superb one-handed pick, coming out from behind a ruck on the halfway line, moving forward and firing Reugard through the gap to finish on the left. Barrett was officially converted.
The Scots reacted strongly, asking questions of the visitors without showing any belief they would get on the scoreboard.
Barrett’s close-range penalty extended the visitors’ advantage to 10 points in the 29th minute, just after Scotland winger Graham was denied on the line by the All Blacks’ excellent defense.
The hosts were given a chance to increase the pressure in the 33rd minute when All Blacks winger Leroy Carter was sin-binned for cynically tripping Graham as he tried to stop his own kick.
However, the Scots were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority. The Kiwis extended their lead to 17 points in the final action of the first half, with Jordan finishing on the left after Rory Hutchinson became the second Scottish player to be stopped over the line, and Barrett converting from a City setup.
Will Jordan was one of the All Blacks’ top try scorers in the win at Murrayfield
However, Scotland started the second half well. Hooker Ashman scored from a lineout maul in the 46th minute, and Russell added another goal.
The resilient hosts were further encouraged by All Blacks captain Ardie Savea being shown a yellow card for attempting to pull down a maul.
This time the Scots got an extra man count and in the 51st minute Stein was set up by Blair Kinghorn’s pass and rebounded down the left. Russell hit the mark again with the conversion.
Scotland continued their momentum and looked like they were going to take the lead in the 56th minute, but Roygard made a great tackle to stop Graham from grounding the ball down the right.
Russell then leveled the intense encounter with a penalty just after the hour mark for a grandstand finale. The pendulum seemed to be swinging in the Scots favor, especially when City went to the bin.
Damien McKenzie proved the winner for New Zealand with a great late try.
However, the visiting side weathered the Scottish storm and took the lead again in the 73rd minute with Mackenzie’s superb shot down the left.
The tryscorer missed a conversion attempt and slightly soiled his copybook, but six minutes later he kicked a penalty from 45 meters between the posts, leaving the result in no doubt.
What’s next?
Scotland next host Argentina at Murrayfield on Sunday 16 November at 3.10pm.
New Zealand will play England next week at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 15 November at 3.10pm.
Italy surprises Australia with come-from-behind victory
Also on Saturday, Italy came from behind to beat Australia 26-19, with one try from the Wallaby son and another from the Australian-born winger to snatch a famous victory over the hosts.
Luis Raina, who was born in Italy when his father Michael played for Treviso, and Melbourne-born Monti Ioane proved to be Italy’s heroes with their second win in 20 Tests against the Wallabies.
Australia conceded three unanswered tries in the opening 51 minutes at the Stadio Fleuri, but a late Italian onslaught turned the test around and fly-half Paolo Garbisi’s 100 per cent kick return proved the difference.
It has been a miserable year for Australia, who lost to England at Twickenham last week, despite winning five of their 13 Tests this year.
