Ashman's hat trick keeps Scotland within reach
Scotland headed into the interval at Scottish Gas Murrayfield trailing by only three points, 24-21, after hooker Ewan Ashman touched down for all three of the home side's tries. Finn Russell added the conversion on each occasion. New Zealand had built its lead through first-half scores from Wallace Sititi, Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett, and the contest remained open as the teams left the field.[S1]
New Zealand takes charge after the interval
The visitors tightened their grip early in the second period when Josh Moorby crossed in the 48th minute. Scotland's captain, Sione Tuipulotu, was then shown a yellow card for repeated infringements, and Barrett made the numerical advantage count by claiming his second try of the afternoon. Asafo Aumua added a further score in the 68th minute, completing a 22-point margin of victory.[S1]
New Zealand finished the match with seven tries in total and held Scotland scoreless across the whole of the second half. The outcome stretched the All Blacks' unbeaten record in Tests against Scotland to 33, a sequence that now covers more than twelve decades. The win also drew New Zealand level with South Africa on 20 points in the Nations Championship's southern hemisphere table.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S8]
