Impressive: New Zealand
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New Zealand got their November Test series off to a great start as they beat Scotland in a 51-22 victory on Sunday.
In spells it was a performance that showed once again why the All Blacks are considered the finest exponents of attacking rugby in the game. It also backed up the importance of all players - from 1 to 15 - being comfortable in any position as forward duo Luke Romano and Wyatt Crockett proved.
New Zealand's ability to shift the point of attack with consummate ease was a constant issue for the Scots who, despite scoring the most points against the All Blacks since their defeat against Australia back in August 2011, came off second best to an effort that looks ominous to other rivals.
Tries were scored by Israel Dagg, Julian Savea (2), Cory Jane, Andrew Hore and Ben Smith but it was Dan Carter who claimed the man-of-the-match gong after directing the traffic in another showing that further rose his lofty standards.
Scotland will no doubt take some positives out of the fixture though, one being wing Tim Visser's brace that keeps his fine try-scoring rate at an impressive level. They will need him to carry that on to next week's clash with South Africa.
New Zealand started the game strongly until Scotland inside centre Matt Scott intercepted a Carter pass before handing over to speedster Visser, who was supporting well on his shoulder. The conversion from Greig Laidlaw made it 3-7 with 12 minutes on the clock.
Carter then made up for his embarrassing error as he slipped through the Scottish net to put full-back Israel Dagg in for a score. Carter's solid extras made it 10-7 at Murrayfield.
The kickers traded shots at goal soon after before the All Blacks found their rhythm as quick-fire tries from Savea, who went in at one corner and Jane's exceptional team effort - that saw the aforementioned prop Crockett and lock Romano involved - was a delight to watch.
Veteran hooker Hore then powered his way over from close range and almost in the blink of an eye, New Zealand led 34-10, with things looking bleak for the hosts. They did perk up before the break as after Scott was held up over the line, prop Geoff Cross burrowed over.
A moment that New Zealand flank Adam Thomson may live to regret then saw him shown yellow on 44 minutes for standing on the head of a Scottish player at a ruck and when Visser crossed for his second score, the hosts looked to be finding some confidence.
But the All Blacks showed why they are world champions in the closing stages as Carter set up two more scores, with Savea collecting a cross-field kick and then with five minutes to go the fly-half shrugged off a tackle, stepped and set up Ben Smith for a deserved score.
Man of the match: The phrase Perfect 10 seems to get thrown around a little too much in rugby, but with Dan Carter it consistently is attached. He created, broke the line, fended back-row forwards and kicked strongly all game. To be honest, no one else came close.
Moment of the match: Cory Jane's try was one to rewind over and over again. Piri Weepu started it before Wyatt Crockett was calm in possession and then Luke Romano's quick hands created the space outside. If there was an advert for All Black rugby, it would be on it.
Villain of the match: It was going to go to the Scottish fans who were booing while Dan Carter was lining up his kicks. However, Adam Thomson then went and did something he may regret as video footage showed him trampling on the head of a home player at a ruck.
The scorers:
For Scotland:
Tries: Visser 2, Cross
Con: Laidlaw 2
Pen: Laidlaw
For New Zealand:
Tries: Dagg, Savea 2, Jane, Hore, Smith
Con: Carter 6
Pen: Carter 3
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Kelly Brown, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Allan Jacobsen, 18 Kyle Traynor, 19 Alastair Kellock, 20 David Denton, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Max Evans.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ben Smith, 12 Tamati Ellison, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Ali Williams, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Ma'a Nonu.
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzere (France) and Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (England)
By Adam Kyriacou
@PlanetRugbyAK
Comments
Trader2 says...
What a great game, I didn't see the Eng v Fiji but this one was the pick for mine. It really only took 20 mins for the AB's to bury Scotland and there was never going to be a comeback from there, having said that was impressed with the way Scotland played and their attitude, some basic errors coughed up poccession at vital times and you cannot do that in international rugby. Scotland gave it a redhot go and are to be congratulated. I like this Visser bloke, I thought he was Dutch but he was a lot easier to understand in the postmatch interviews than the Scots. (only joshing)
Thompson was stupid and reckless and that will be addressed, could not see any intent but the head is a no go zone so no defence really.
Well done AB's thats what can be done with one great quarter it could be nasty if they can put all four together.
Posted 23:45 11th November 2012
paulynz says...
I guess it's a measure of the expectations of All Blacks supporters that the ABs can take a 51 point win (29 point winning margin) and yet we pick over the mistakes!. To be fair I suspect that the ABs will be doing the same.
Have to agree with most other posters here though. When they get their game going they can be a team of rare beauty. Great ball skills at times, particularly by some of the tight forwards, several times I saw tight forwards playing at half-back and firing out passes that any centre would have been proud of. That long pass that Romano threw in the lead-up to Savea's first try was superb. Savea just needs to get his timing right and he'll be a big threat.
It's an indication of their strike-power that they could win so emphatically despite being shaded in the possession stakes and being clearly behind in terms of territory.
Carter was superb and Richie was everywhere as usual. When is his form going to wind down? Will it ever? The terms "Perfect 10" and "Machine" spring to mind quite easily with these two.
Good debuts by Coles and Kerr-Barlow. Also a good game from Piri Weepu when he needed one. Was also impressed by Beauden Barrett when he came on. Solid on defence, ran into the backline well and good second receiver when needed. The midfield played well albeit without the authority of the Nonu/Smith combination.
Despite the difference in class, Scotland can be proud of their effort. As others have pointed out they scored three tries. Few teams have done that against the ABs in recent times. Very competitive in the forwards and they certainly had their moments in the backs. They definitely missed Ross Rennie when he went off though.
Posted 23:28 11th November 2012
Spartacus says...
Good game, but the scoreline flatters NZ. Thompson was a straight red, and McCaw got away with a couple of obvious (and he usually conceals well) transgressions at crucial moments. Scotland are coming on well as a young team
Posted 23:27 11th November 2012
Ramage says...
The Blacks had some periods where the play was sublime after the break they ever quite regaied that ascedency util the latter part of the half. Overall a good outing ad a good game by many of the second string players. Smith and Ellison wer good in the centres and I agree with Hansen that Weepu played well. Vito was devastating at times and young Barrett replaced Dagg with aplomb. Kerr Barlow and Coles had their initiation and can expect to see more game time against Italy.
No matter how you look at it trhe incident involving Thompson was reckless and unacceptable. In my opinion he should have received a red card as the head is sacrosanct. We can say all sorts of things about the incident but the excuses would be lame it should not have happened and he must face the consequences and the end of his All Black career.
Scotland gave their best which, at times, was plain woeful and they must up their skill level if they want to compete at this level. However their were signs that they are improving from the stogy play under Frank Hadden.
A
Posted 22:58 11th November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Firstly well played Scotland, lots of endeavour and they deserved their points. Some work-ons for NZ but not a bad effort first up, a couple new caps and plenty new combos,but a good blow out and couple tries from both teams a direct result of rare errors so expect those to be tidied up by next week. It'll be good to get most of the 1st XV on the field by the 2nd half next week to have some rugby under the belt by the Wales match, although it'll be interesting to see what happens to them from here. Anyhow, good start, especially by Carter.. and cannot see any problems with the booing, it's the Scots home ground and they pay their hard earned cash for an afternoon out, I'm yet to hear of a worthy reason why PR or anyone can vilify them for enjoying themselves how they see fit. It's not 1940 Germany!
Posted 22:21 11th November 2012
Jediboy says...
The ABs are a class act. No doubt about it.
Posted 22:20 11th November 2012
Melkiwi says...
Great determination and courage shown by the scots. They continue playing like this they'll be very hard to beat. The aggression in their defence is something that needs to be worked as well as those silly basic mistakes, if they can improve on that then it looks like Scotland are heading in the right direction.
As for the abs playing like they normally player. Carter was outstanding after that intercept pass. Coles had a good debut showing glimpses of that great running game he has, Kerr-Barlow had a shockers. Hope it was just debut nerves otherwise it could be his last tour. Last Thompson, Jesus what a clown that guy is. Never rated him at international level and I hope that's his last game in the black jersey.
Posted 21:36 11th November 2012
Isograford says...
Not a bad performance by the mix n match All Blacks combo some of whom wouldn't even be there if others were available (Kaino, SBW, Kahui). Hardly got out of second gear it seems, and as usual, almost always slow starters.
As with 2010, are the Scottish the worst sporting crowd in Europe these days? They boo every decision Refs make, terrible sports.
Posted 21:33 11th November 2012
Admack says...
Nhsaint: Ritchie Gray was awesome today! Ford needs to go.. Completely agree
Posted 21:04 11th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Good positive playing rugby encounter at a sold out Murryfield! (bar dumb ass Thompson). Thought the Ref had a very good game! managed to keep the game flowing. Plenty of positives for Scotland, 3 tries & they managed to protect their rucks easily..NZ got bugger all turn overs which is our forte. We are antipodeans are usually apprehensive about any northern writer whom gives players(& teams) huge wraps..and its nice to see they have reversed their overly optimistic trend and got it right with Richie Gray..Dude had a massive game!. good to see NZ's next level of players get test match experience at a great venue. Cheers
Posted 21:01 11th November 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
@J_HDK: That'll teach you to drink tea during a test match... :)
Scotland did well to score three tries - All Blacks just in a different class right now. And in decades of watching rugby I don't think I've yet seen as complete a player as Dan Carter - when he is on his game he is phenomenal. Well done!
Posted 19:54 11th November 2012
J_HDK says...
Bloody NZ. It's a close game with strong competition by Scotland,... then I go to the kitchen to make a cup of tea, come back and they are 20 points ahead.
Posted 19:05 11th November 2012
kappelange says...
This was a delight to watch, if only all the teams could play like this....
Scotland was indeed woeful but NZ went ahead and beat them with style today. I believe that is the difference between NZ and everyone else, the Wallabies scrape by(when they win), the Bokke bash their way through and the Pumas rely on great defence...the All Blacks just straight out outclass you and after they beat you there is no wondering "what if" because they're just that darn good.
Why dont other nations also develop their internationals through 7's rugby? NZ actually use theirs as a stepping stone to the AB's, all others just use it as a sideshow.
Posted 19:00 11th November 2012
bigb6969 says...
NZ performance was terrible, disjointed and mistake ridden, yet still racked up a half century. Will have to improve.
As for Thompson's act, stupid, but not dangerous or damaging, the ball was right under the player, he did not "trample" on the player he just placed his foot on the head he was leaning back not putting weight on, no intent to injure and no injury caused, you can see him signaling to the touch judge for the player lying on the ball, he immediately reached in got the ball as he should have done first. Anyway he got the yellow and penalised as it was wrong, reckless as, and will probably get two weeks, if they are consistent. He should have eye gouged the player out of the way, that seems to be sanctioned by the IRB having regard to previous judicial rulings
Posted 18:45 11th November 2012
scot_rsa says...
Yep, a gulf exists but I think the Scots forwards weren't intimidated and made the ABs look mortal, certainly keping them quiet for long periods. Scrum time went well too but we missed Ross Rennie and got annihilated at the breakdown as a result. Feeling more positive though that progress is being made. As for those Scotland "fans" who booed Carter's kicks you are a disgrace to Scotland and rugby. Shame on you that you don't recognise class when you see it. Embarrassing.
Posted 17:37 11th November 2012
Rosco1971 says...
Hammered...just watched the highlights as they don't televise live in Canada. Full game on later today. Looks like Scotland made a game of it but even in the highlights it looks as if DC and his merry men had some fun out there. 15 man rugby. No one does it better
Posted 17:24 11th November 2012
NHsaints says...
Good performance from both sides, by no means a walkover. Scotland needed to be far more accurate with their possesion though and their defence was at times woeful. Richie Gray...boy what a game. Get him in that lions jersey right now! Denton wasn't half bad either, Ford has definitely fallen from contention for a spot as hooker on the lions tour though.
Posted 17:09 11th November 2012
LondonWasp says...
to be fair, scotland did score three tries against NZ. I think they scored 4 tries during the entire 6Nations, so there are positives to take away from this.
Posted 16:55 11th November 2012
Dangerous says...
Not impressed with Thomson. In fact never have been. Other than that I do love being an all black supporter. Orgasmic passing at times. Everyone keeps saying what is it about the ab's? They seem to turn over at will. 1-15 they can offload and have silky touches. Maybe it's cause they embrace a rugby ball at birth before their mum or dad. All blacks are a beautiful team to watch!
Posted 16:53 11th November 2012
rugbyjarhead says...
Abs never got out of second gear. Maybe third they had to. Meh
Posted 16:44 11th November 2012