Source: Radio New Zealand
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Hopes of a historic win have been denied, after the All Blacks managed to maintain their unbeaten record against Scotland.
The Murrayfield game had the Edinburgh crowd on the edge of their seats, with the second-half being one to remember – or world media sure thought so.
New Zealand’s dominant first half, up 17-0, stepped onto shaky ground early in the second half, with Scotland’s Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn both scoring tries.
That wasn’t enough, with the All Blacks momentum building, resulting in a 25-17 score favouring the New Zealanders.
Damian McKenzie’s gravity-defying try, the All Blacks surviving three yellow cards and Scotland’s struggle to capitalise have been deemed the game’s top talking points.
International media had plenty to say – from praise to disbelief. Here’s how the world media reacted to the All Blacks’ win over Scotland.
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland honed in on the home side’s heartbreak, after trailling by three points at 51 minutes.
“All Blacks shatter Scotland’s hopes of historic win,” its headline reads.
The outlet’s post-match piece goes on to list the yellow-carded All Blacks – Leroy Carter, Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi. It takes aim at Carter’s player trip, describing it as “cynical”.
Damian McKenzie scores a spectacular try against Scotland. ActionPress
However, it goes on to acknowledge the skill and dominance of replacement fullback Damian McKenzie.
“Damian McKenzie – a dazzling presence when he entered the game – had the last say, touching down under pressure late on then adding a penalty to ensure Scotland’s long wait for a win against the All Blacks goes on.”
Guardian
The theme of “McKenzie magic” continues in the UK’s Guardian newspaper.
Labelled “deadly, deadlier than Scotland”, the paper attributes the All Blacks point of difference to McKenzie.
“His stunning 50-22 with 10 minutes remaining and the scores still locked at 17-17 set up pretty much New Zealand’s first attacking position of the half. His brilliant finish in the corner a couple of minutes and a couple of attacking lineouts later gave the All Blacks the lead just when it matters.
“Then, with a minute to go, he landed a penalty from an angled 45 metres or so to put them more than a score ahead. Crushing. Or, more accurately, piercing, agonisingly, fatally piercing.”
The paper acknowledged Scotland’s bravery, but said: “There remains a dimension of performance when it matters to which the All Blacks have long held a key.”
Cam Roigard takes a gap against Scotland. Paul Thomas / Photosport
Daily Record
Scottish newspaper Daily Record places Scotland’s comeback centre frame.
Tries from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn, both converted by Finn Russell, gave the Scots a level scoreboard at 17-17.
“It was a different Scotland that emerged after the break, while three yellow cards for the Kiwis saw the momentum swing towards the hosts,” the paper wrote. “It seemed as if the Scots were about to claim a first ever win over the Southern Hemisphere powerhouse.”
However, the historic comeback was stopped in its tracks by what the article described as an “outrageous finish” from McKenzie – noting his last-minute penalty and try.
RugbyPass
RugbyPass honed in on Scott Robertson’s response to his side’s “ill-discipline and yellow cards”.
“Couple yellow cards, like you’re playing with 14 men defending, like there was some amazing efforts on defence, wasn’t there?
“Like, we were so proud of that and we could have just rolled over and gave up on one of the efforts, but we didn’t,” the article read, quoting Robertson.
It said Robertson went on to acknowledge the game “wasn’t perfect” and highlighted the “clutch” efforts from McKenzie.
The All Blacks will face off against England at Twickenham next week, followed by Wales in Cardiff.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
