Murrayfield Agony as Scotland Fall Just Short Against All Blacks
The long wait goes on. In a match that perfectly encapsulated their historic struggles against rugby's elite, Scotland came agonisingly close to a landmark victory over New Zealand only to fall to a 24-17 defeat in a dramatic finale at a packed Murrayfield.
The result extends Scotland's winless run against the All Blacks to 120 years, with this latest chapter proving particularly painful after they fought back magnificently from a disastrous start to level the scores with 20 minutes remaining.
Costly Start and Thunderous Fightback
The match began in nightmare fashion for Gregor Townsend's side, who found themselves 17-0 down at half-time after repeating the same slow start that cost them dearly in the fixture three years earlier. New Zealand's opening try came after just three minutes when lock Josh Lord burst through feeble midfield defence before offloading to scrum-half Cam Roigard to score.
Beauden Barrett added the conversion and later slotted a penalty, with the All Blacks' second try arriving just before half-time through full-back Will Jordan while they were down to 14 men after Leroy Carter's yellow card. Scotland had opportunities themselves, being held up over the line twice through Rory Hutchinson and Darcy Graham, but their first-half performance was littered with errors.
After the break, Scotland emerged utterly transformed. The fightback began on 46 minutes when hooker Ewan Ashman powered over from a driving maul, with Finn Russell converting. Five minutes later, the stadium erupted as Blair Kinghorn's pass sent Kyle Steyn over in the corner, with Russell's conversion bringing the scores level at 17-17.
The Moment That Broke Scottish Hearts
With momentum firmly behind them and New Zealand reduced to 14 men after Wallace Sititi's yellow card, Scotland had their golden opportunity to make history. The decisive moment came when Darcy Graham looked certain to score what would have been a go-ahead try, only for Cam Roigard to knock the ball from his grasp as he reached for the line.
Just as Murrayfield dared to believe, the All Blacks delivered the sucker punch with six minutes remaining. Against the run of play, replacement Damian McKenzie received the ball wide on the left and produced a stunning one-handed finish in the corner, shrugging off two Scottish defenders while contorting his body to touch down with his back to the try line.
McKenzie then sealed the victory moments later with a monstrous long-range penalty that put the All Blacks eight points clear and beyond reach, leaving Scotland to reflect on what might have been.
The match had begun with a poignant minute's silence for Remembrance Day, followed by the traditional Haka which the Scotland players faced arm-in-arm while the Murrayfield crowd roared in support. That early unity gave way to familiar frustration as Scotland's search for that elusive first victory over the All Blacks continues.
