Player ratings: Heartbreak again
Scotland once again came close, but ultimately still came up short. They lost 16-24 to New Zealand, but for 75 minutes looked likely to cause an upset at Murrayfield on Saturday.
There was a few too many penalties and handling errors, along with a crucial missed penalty-kick in the 70th minute – Greig Laidlaw only miss of the match.
However, bravery don't always win you matches and against New Zealand it is seldom enough.
There will be many positives to take from the game, but – alas – not a win.
Jan de Koning rates the Scotland players!
15 Stuart Hogg:
Had a couple of decent runs, making good ground, but unfortunately it mounted to very little.
6/10
14 Sean Maitland:
Relished playing against his compatriots and put in a few good hits.
6/10
13 Mark Bennett:
Lasted just 12 minutes before his hamstring gave in. Not enough time to be rated.
12 Alex Dunbar:
Made a huge contribution on defence, but missed a couple and also got caught out offside on occasion.
6/10
11 Tommy Seymour:
Scored an intercept try in the 12th minute and almost immediately produced a knock-on. Made all his tackles. A real mixed bag.
6/10
10 Finn Russell:
Was little more than a link in the first half, which included a few errors, but produced some delightful moments after the break – before being replaced on the hour-mark.
5/10
9 Greig Laidlaw (captain):
So much talent and produced some delightful plays, but really was a mixed bag.
6/10
8 Adam Ashe:
His hands let him down on occasion, but did very well at the back of a scrum that was under pressure.
7/10
7 Blair Cowan:
Was powerful on defence, putting in some monster hits – Scotland's most productive player by some distance.
8/10
6 Rob Harley:
Produced a great workrate on defence, even though he missed a couple of tackles, won his own line-outs and even stole one from New Zealand.
6/10
5 Jonny Gray:
Showed why he is playing Test rugby alongside his brother. He may not be the finished product yet, but he has loads of potential. Showed maturity well beyond his years.
7/10
4 Richie Gray:
Involved in so many of the good things Scotland did in the close exchanges. Won his line-outs and made 14 tackles.
7/10
3 Euan Murray:
Penalised in the second scrum and then also conceded an offside penalty. Lasted only 30 minutes before he left the field injured.
3/10
2 Ross Ford:
Worked hard on defence, but otherwise his contribution was minimal.
5/10
1 Alasdair Dickinson:
His scrumming was solid and his defence, for most part, acceptable. Could do more with ball in hand.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Fraser Brown (on for Ford , 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Gordon Reid (on for Dickinson, 76th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Geoff Cross (on for Murray , 30th min):
Scrummed well and made most of his tackles, but seldom involved in other aspects of the game.
5/10
19 Dave Denton (on for Cowan, 72nd min):
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Johnnie Beattie (on for Ashe, 56th min):
Made absolute no impact and missed a third of his tackles.
3/10
21 Chris Cusiter (on for Laidlaw, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Duncan Weir (on for Russell, 25th to 31st mins, concussion test; and from 60th min) :
Did not make a single tackle, yes he missed them all. Nothing else to say about his game.
0/10
23 Sean Lamont (on for Bennett, 12th min) :
Showed how dangerous he can be with ball in hand, even though he had limited opportunities. Unfortunately also missed too many tackles.
4/10
