Staff Reporter.
Scotland earned a 29-26 win against Maori All Blacks in their opening summer tour game at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei, New Zealand.
Adam Hastings’ first-half penalty proved to be crucial, with both sides scoring four tries and three conversions in Whangarei.
The Scots have not toured New Zealand in 25 years and, although this was a non-capped international, both sides played with typical Southern Hemisphere flair throughout.
The hosts enjoyed more possession, made more metres and re-arranged more ribs than their visitors, but Gregor Townsend’s side were a little more clinical in attack and produced a huge defensive set at the last to clinch victory.
And, while the side was predominantly made up of Scotland’s second-string, with stars like Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, Darcy Graham and Tom Jordan rested for the next two games against Fiji and Samoa, they had to produce their best to see off the Maoris.
The Māori struck first after just 60 seconds, through halfback Sam Nock, to shock the Scots, who ground their way back, through tries to each of their wingers and a double for halfback George Horne.
Down 24-12 at halftime, the Māori were reduced to 13 men by yellow cards, but stormed back into the contest with tries for skipper Kurt Eklund and second-five Gideon Wrampling.
A late turnover by lock Lachlan McWhannell gave the Māori a chance to steal victory, after Scotland tried to close things down, but after 30-plus phases, New Zealand couldn’t crack the line and Scotland claimed the famous win.
Line-ups
Maori All Blacks: Z Sullivan, Forbes, B Sullivan, Wrampling, Rona; Reihana, Nock; Proffit, Eklund (c), Sykes-Martin, Shalfoon, Walker-Leaware, Howden, Brown, Grace.
Replacements: Devery, Rakete-Stones, Kumeroa, McWhannell, Delany, Hauiti-Parapara, Trask, Evans.
Scotland: Smith, Paterson, Hutchinson, McDowall (c), Reed, Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Harrison, Richardson, Sykes, Henderson, Bayliss, Onyeama-Christie, Muncaster.
Replacements: Turner, Hepburn, Hurd, Williamson, Brown, Masibaka, Burke, Dobie.
Meanwhile Wales’ record losing international run extended to 18 games as they were beaten 24-19 by Japan in extremely hot and humid conditions in Kitakyushu.