Scotland vs Maori All Blacks 2025: Tour Opener Ends in Nail-Biting Victory for Visitors
Scotland marked their return to New Zealand after a 25-year hiatus with a thrilling 29-26 victory over the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei. The tour opener, though a non-capped international, was played with high stakes and high tempo as both sides delivered an entertaining clash that went right down to the wire.
The Scots, fielding a second-string lineup with big names like Jamie Ritchie, Darcy Graham, and Rory Darge rested, showed heart and resilience to hold off a relentless Maori All Blacks attack in the dying minutes. Despite the hosts dominating possession and territory, it was Scotland’s clinical finishing and a critical defensive stand in the 85th minute that sealed the victory.
First Half Fireworks
The action started instantly with Maori scrum-half Sam Nock crossing the try line in the opening minute. But Scotland hit back through Harry Paterson, who finished off a clever grubber from Ollie Smith.
George Horne capitalized on his own box-kick to add another for the visitors, before Isaia Walker-Leawere powered through Scotland’s defense while they were down to 14 men after Alex Masibaka’s yellow card.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Scotland turned the tables. A brilliant 50-22 kick from Stafford McDowall led to Arron Reed’s try from another Smith kick, helping Scotland take a 24-12 lead into the break.
Second-Half Drama and Determination
The Maori All Blacks were reduced to 13 men early in the second half, but Scotland managed only one try during that window—a spectacular team effort finished by Horne for his second of the match.
As the Maoris regrouped, they clawed back momentum. Captain Kurt Eklund surged over from a driving maul, and Gideon Wrampling added another after a superb 50-22 by Daniel Rona. With just three points separating the sides at 29-26, the final minutes became a tense battle.
Scotland looked to control the game in the 79th minute, but a turnover handed the Maoris a last shot. With Cam Henderson in the sin-bin and the clock ticking past 85 minutes, the Scots clung on. In a final defensive stand, they forced a loose pass, reclaimed possession, and held on for a hard-fought victory.
What’s Next for Scotland
Although this was not a capped international, the significance of the win cannot be understated. With upcoming fixtures against Fiji and Samoa—matches that carry World Rugby ranking points—Gregor Townsend’s squad has set a strong tone.
Facing one of their toughest opponents on tour first might turn out to be a blessing in disguise, sharpening the team for more critical encounters to come.
Match Summary
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Score: Maori All Blacks 26 – Scotland 29
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Tries (Maori): Nock, Walker-Leawere, Eklund, Wrampling
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Tries (Scotland): Paterson, Horne (2), Reed
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Conversions: Reihana (2), Trask | Hastings (3)
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Penalties: Hastings (1)
Line-ups
Maori All Blacks:
Z Sullivan, Forbes, B Sullivan, Wrampling, Rona; Reihana, Nock; Proffit, Eklund (c), Sykes-Martin, Shalfoon, Walker-Leawere, Howden, Brown, Grace.
Replacements: Devery, Rakete-Stones, Kumeroa, McWhannell, Delany, Hauiti-Parapara, Trask, Evans.
Scotland:
Smith, Paterson, Hutchinson, McDowall (c), Reed, Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Harrison, Richardson, Sykes, Henderson, Bayliss, Onyeama-Christie, Muncaster.
Replacements: Turner, Hepburn, Hurd, Williamson, Brown, Masibaka, Burke, Dobie.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
