REPORT: New Zealand 74 Scotland 6
New Zealand crossed the whitewash 14 times as they thrashed Scotland 74-6 at the Christchurch Stadium on Saturday.
Despite a good start from Scotland, six unanswered tries from Kenny Bromwich, Jason Nightingale (2), Joseph Tapine, Te Maire Martin and Peta Hiku saw the Kiwis go into the break with a 28-0 advantage.
New Zealand scored another seven tries following the restart through Russell Packer, Martin (2), Dean Whare, Hiku (2) and Shaun Johnson, before Oscar Thomas scored a consolation for Scotland. It was the Kiwis who had the last say though, with Elijah Taylor going over late on to seal a remarkable 74-6 victory in Christcurch.
TEAM NEWS
New Zealand head coach David Kidwell made seven changes to his side that eased past Samoa last weekend as Jason Nightingale, Dean Whare, Peta Hiku, Te Maire Martin, Elijah Taylor, Kenny Bromwich and Addin Fonua-Blake came in for Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Gerard Beale, Jordan Rapana, Kodi Nikorima, Tommy Leuluai, Simon Mannering and Isaac Liu.
Steve McCormack made four changes to his side that lost to Tonga last time out as Will Oakes, Frankie Mariano, Callum Phillips and Andrew Bentley were replaced by Alex Walker, Jarred Anderson, Oscar Thomas and Brandan Wilkinson.
FIRST HALF
Scotland made a very good start to the game and silenced the Christchurch crowd with a couple of fine attacking sets, pressing the New Zealand team inside their own 20 metre mark.
However, the Kiwis scored the opening try of the game in the ninth minute as Kenny Bromwich ran a good line to burst onto a short ball from Martin Taupau to score. Shaun Johnson converted to give his side a 6-0 lead.
The Kiwis were playing some good rugby and for the first time in the game, they were starting to throw the ball about as they passed it through quick hands to veteran Jason Nightingale who touched down. Johnson sliced his conversion attempt but New Zealand were 10-0 to the good after 13 minutes.
The host nation got their second in as many minutes when Johnson slipped Joseph Tapine through a gap, with the back-rower racing 30 metres to score. The conversion was missed but David Kidwell’s Kiwis were 14-0 ahead.
In the 23rd minute, Nightingale got his second and New Zealand’s fourth. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck took on the Scotland defence before producing a basketball pass to Nightingale who finished well in the corner. Johnson couldn’t convert, New Zealand 18-0 Scotland.
New Zealand were in again on the half hour mark as Nelson Asofa-Solomona made brilliant break and produced an impressive flick pass inside for the supporting Te Maire Martin who scored. Johnson didn’t miss the conversion this time and the Kiwis led 24-0.
Peta Hiku scored his first ever try for New Zealand after the Kiwis had numbers on the right edge. Johnson missed the conversion but the home side went into the sheds 28-0 in front.
HALF TIME: New Zealand 28–0 Scotland.
SECOND HALF
New Zealand carried on the good form in the second half as they scored just two minutes following the restart. Russell Packer scored his first ever try for the Kiwis as he went on a rampaging run. Johnson added the extras to put his side 34-0 up.
Martin produced another piece of individual brilliance when he threw a cheeky show and go to score his second of the game. Johnson’s boot took the score to 40-0 after 51 minutes.
A couple of sets later, Dean Whare stretched the Kiwis’ lead as he supported a quick Tuivasa-Sheck break. The conversion was on point, New Zealand 46-0 Scotland.
The Bravehearts looked fatigued and were struggling to deal with New Zealand in the second half as Tuivasa-Sheck threw a fine cut-out pass to Hiku, with the former Warrington Wolves star getting his second. Johnson’s conversion made the score 52-0 to the Kiwis.
New Zealand Warriors ace Johnson became the Kiwis’ all-time leading points scorer on the hour mark following a nice bit of support play which resulted in a try. He converted his own try to put his team in a 58-0 advantage.
Hiku completed his hat-trick as he latched onto a perfectly-weighted grubber kick from Johnson. The conversion went straight through the uprights and New Zealand were 64-0 to the good.
Oscar Thomas prevented a Bravehearts whitewash when he threw a superb step to go past Danny Levi and dive over the line. Danny Addy added the additional points and the score was 64-6 to New Zealand after 71 minutes.
The Kiwis quickly bounced back though as Martin completed his hat-trick after producing a fine fend on Thomas. The conversion was wide from Johnson but New Zealand were impressively 68-6 in front.
New Zealand wrapped up the emphatic victory two minutes from time as Elijah Taylor sold a dummy to score. Johnson’s conversion saw the Kiwis run-out 74-6 winners Christchurch.
FULL TIME: New Zealand 74–6 Scotland.
MATCH DETAILS
New Zealand – 74
Tries: Bromwich, Nightingale 2, Tapine, Te Maire Martin 3, Hiku 3, Packer, Whare, Johnson, Taylor
Goals: Johnson 9/14
Scotland – 6
Tries: Thomas
Goals: Addy 1/1
HT: 28-0
Attendance: 12,130
TEAMS
New Zealand: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. Jason Nightingale, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Peta Hiku, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Martin Taupau, 9. Elijah Taylor, 10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 11. Kenny Bromwich, 12. Joseph Tapine, 13. Adam Blair (C).
Interchange: 14. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 15. Russell Packer, 16. Addin Fonua-Blake, 17. Danny Levi.
Scotland: 1. Alex Walker, 2. Lewis Tierney, 3. Ben Hellewell, 4. Lachlan Stein, 5. Matty Russell, 6. Danny Brough, 7. Oscar Thomas, 8. Luke Douglas, 9. Danny Addy, 10. Ben Kavanagh, 11. Jarred Anderson, 12. Dale Ferguson, 13. James Bell.
Interchange: 14. Kane Bentley, 15. Sam Brooks, 16. Brandan Wilkinson, 17. Johnny Walker.
Referee – Henry Perenara
