Scotland came oh so close to a first ever win against the mighty All Blacks at Murrayfield, Edinburgh yesterday.
In a match deciding moment between Stuart Hogg and Beauden Barrett, saw Hogg breakthrough the All Blacks line and scamper towards the line, only for Barrett to tackle the Scottish star and put him into touch.
Hogg against Barrett had everyone, including those in the respective coaching boxes at a feverish Murrayfield, on their feet. Hogg held history in his hands. The first Scottish win over the All Blacks in 112 years seemed likely, until Barrett just got there in the nick of time.
Stuart Hogg was denied a place in Scottish folklore
"On the brink of something special wasn't I," Hogg said. "I knew it was going to be tough but like always I back my ability. Credit to Beauden Barrett it was a cracking tackle. I'm pretty gutted to chuck the ball away as well but, look, on another day that comes off. The boys are devastated to be honest. We gave ourselves chances to score tries and probably left a couple out there."
Barrett said of the match saving moment. "We knew it was coming - we knew they weren't going to kick the ball away. We decided to kick long and try hold them out. He's a great attacking player there was one point I thought I gave him too much on the outside and I was a bit worried so I was relieved to see the outcome. I'm glad I got there in the end."
It was a tense game that could have gone either way. And for an improving Scotland, it seems regular wins against the bigger boys of rugby isn’t too far away.
PBarrett was the hero for All Blacks in attack and defence
A tense first half saw the sides go in 3-3. But the game really exploded in the second half. All Blacks scored the first try on 45 minutes. After building up phases, the All Blacks’ pressure was too much for the Scotland defence as Taylor crossed the line after the ball found its way to the wing.
And 6 minutes later they scored again. Williams kicked through the Scotland line for McKenzie to dive on the ball over the line, to give the All Blacks a 12 point lead. Many a Scotland sides of the past would have crumbled at this stage, but this Scotland is made of character and class.
And Scotland showed both as they hit back straight away with Gray stretching for the line. With the game back on, it was then taken away from Scotland after a moment of brilliance from New Zealand to effectively end the game as Barrett raced in to re-establish the 12-point lead.
Scotland kept hitting back against the mighty All Blacks
Then seemingly out of it, Scotland again hit back. They appeared to have missed their opportunity after building up pressure in the 22, but finally Jones raced in to make for an exciting finish.
And then with just 5 points in it, and with just seconds to go, Hogg’s place in Scottish folklore was being written as he jinxed and darted his way to the line, but was cruelly cut out by Barrett’s darting defensive tackle, which ultimately saved the win for the All Blacks and denied the Scots a historical win.
Scotland players are devastated at full time
It was a breath-taking moment, and cruel on Scotland, but the All Blacks always seem to do enough. All Blacks coach, Steve Hansen isn't known to get overly animated but he, too, held his breath hoping someone, anyone, would stop Hogg. "I didn't have much time to think anything else he was running that quick,” said Hansen. “I thought Hogg was pretty good tonight. He's a class player, Beauden, and he's done that before. It took a special player to stop a special player."
The game was much more than two of the world's best attacking players going head-to-head, but that was such a defining and almost iconic moment, but Scotland will be kicking themselves about many other moments. It was a massively improved performance from Scotland, and they will take heart from it, but when you play the All Blacks you have to take your chances.
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