Player ratings: Scottish bravehearts
Scotland became the first team to score three tries against the All Blacks this year but it was not enough as the world champions cruised to victory.
The Scots, galvanised by a sell-out Murrayfield crowd, were determined to take it to the vaunted visitors and got off to a solid start.
Unfortunately for Andy Robinson and his charges, they made too many mistakes on defence, ultimately leaking six tries and going down 51-22.
Quintin van Jaarsveld rates the Scotland players.
15 Stuart Hogg
Much like the team as a whole he was good with ball in hand but poor on attack, missing three tackles.
5.5/10
14 Sean Lamont
The main culprit in the All Blacks’ second try as he opened up space for Victor Vito down the right-hand touchline. Looked promising on attack, though, and eluded a couple of defenders.
6/10
13 Nick de Luca
Made some poor decisions and lost the ball in contact.
5.5/10
12 Matt Scott
Had the wherewithal to realise that he won’t be able to outstrip the defence after making the intercept and put Tim Visser in and nearly grabbed a try himself.
6.5/10
11 Tim Visser
The Flying Dutchman ran a good support line to score his first try before a lazy defensive effort saw Julian Savea trot in. But he answered back with his second try after half time to push his tally up to four tries in three Tests.
7/10
10 Greig Laidlaw
Had no answer for the attacking brilliance of Dan Carter and had a 75 percent success rate at goal, but his restarts was pinpoint and he created Visser’s second with a sly kick of the ball at the ruck.
6/10
9 Mike Blair
The veteran was tactically astute from the base, showing good variation and knowing when to attack and when to kick.
6.5/10
8 Kelly Brown
A memorable occasion for the No.8, captaining his country for the first time and winning his 50th Test cap, but his performance fell short as he made little headway and just a handful of tackles.
6/10
7 Ross Rennie
Not enough time to be rated.
6 Alasdair Strokosch
Often over enthusiastic which led to him conceding a string on penalties.
6/10
5 Jim Hamilton
A serial offender and suspect on defence.
5/10
4 Richie Gray
His white mane popped up everywhere. Showed no signs of an ankle niggle that threatened his participation in the match with a tireless effort which saw him make nine hits – the most of any Scottish player on the night – and manage to win a line-out on the All Blacks’ throw.
7.5/10
3 Geoff Cross
Made amends for a bad missed tackle on Carter, which led to Israel Dagg’s try, with a five-pointer of his own and stood his ground in the scrums.
6.5/10
2 Ross Ford
His line-out throwing was average a best and he slipped a number of tackles.
5.5/10
1 Ryan Grant
Held up his end of the scrum and made the odd strong carry.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Scott Lawson (on for Ford, 64th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Allan Jacobsen (on for Grant, 65th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Kyle Traynor
Not used.
19 Alastair Kellock (on for Hamilton, 58th minute)
Boosted the hosts’ line-outs in no uncertain terms.
6/10
20 David Denton (on for Rennie, 19th minute)
Relished the physical nature of a meeting with the All Blacks and will look back fondly on his steamrolling of the great Richie McCaw.
6.5/10
21 Henry Pyrgos (on for Blair, 75th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Ruaridh Jackson (on for Laidlaw, 65th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
23 Max Evans (on for De Luca, 64th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
