Maori All Blacks 26 Scotland 29: Scots survive early setback and late drama to beat Maori All Blacks for first time EVER
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SCOTLAND survived a first minute setback and a dramatic late fightback to kick off their summer tour of New Zealand with their first EVER victory over the Maori All Blacks.
In what was the first meeting between the two teams for quarter of a century, tries from Harry Paterson, George Horne (2), and Arron Reed plus three conversions and a penalty from Adam Hastings were enough to secure a thrilling 29-26 win in Whangerei.
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A Scotland supporter at the Semenoff Stadium
Credit: Getty
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A traditional Maori welcome during the match
Credit: Getty
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Captain Stafford McDowall of Scotland (L) congratulates George Horne on scoring a try
Credit: Getty
This was an experimental Scotland team for what was a non-cap international, with Stafford McDowall captaining the team.
The outcome was very much in doubt when home scrum half Sam Nock ran in for an unconverted try within seconds.
But Gregor Townsend's men rallied strongly.
Wing Harry Paterson touched down inches inside the back of the in-goal area after a grubber kick to give the Scots a route back into the match.
Adam Hastings converted then slotted a penalty to give the Scots breathing space at 10-7, before Horne got on the end of another clever kick ahead, the conversion stretching the visitors' advantage to 17-5.
But the Maori All Blacks are formidable opponents and when lock forward Isaia Isaia Walker-Leawere fell over the line to score the home side's second try the Scots knew they were in a game.
A yellow card for Alexander Masibaka compounded matters but Scotland's answer was simply to go up the other end and score a try, quicksilver wing Arron Reed touching down another chip from Ollie Smith this time with Hastings adding the conversion.
The Scots went in at half time 24-12 to the good then produced their finest try of the game when a flowing move saw Hutchinson feed Reed, who found Horne who galloped over in the corner.
But what an onslaught they faced to get this over the line.
A try from Māori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund reduced the deficit before Gideon Wrampling dived over, the conversion leaving the Scots living on their nerves with just a three-point advantage.
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With the clock in the red, Cameron Anderson found himself yellow carded but the short-handed Scots managed to summon the energy to win one last turnover before kicking the ball gleefully out of play.
It was a massive win over strong opposition, with the Scots now set to face Fiji and Samoa in Tests.
Māori All Blacks 26 – 29 Scotland
Māori All Blacks: 15. Zarn Sullivan, 14. Cole Forbes, 13. Bailyn Sullivan, 12. Gideon Wrampling, 11. Daniel Rona, 10. Rivez Reihana, 9. Sam Nock; 1. Jared Proffit, 2. Kurt Eklund (Captain), 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Cullen Grace.
Replacements: 16. Jacob Devery, 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18. Benet Kumeroa, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Caleb Delany, 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22. Kaleb Trask, 23. Corey Evans.
Scotland: 15. Ollie Smith, 14. Harry Paterson, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Stafford McDowall (Captain), 11. Arron Reed, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. George Horne (Vice Captain); 1. Nathan McBeth, 2. Patrick Harrison, 3. Fin Richardson*, 4. Marshall Sykes, 5. Cameron Henderson, 6. Josh Bayliss (Vice Captain), 7. Andy Onyeama-Christie, 8. Ben Muncaster.
Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Will Hurd, 19. Max Williamson, 20. Gregor Brown, 21. Alexander Masibaka, 22. Fergus Burke, 23. Jamie Dobie.
Match officials:
Referee: Nika Amashukeli
ARs: Jordan Way and Matt Kellahan
TMO: Oli Kellett
Venue: Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei, New Zealand.
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