The Black Ferns powered their way through to beat Scotland 66 – 14 in Edinburgh on Saturday.
The weather was unsteady at Hive Stadium, but that did not stop fans from coming out to support both the home and away team in a historic first match against New Zealand on Scottish soil.
As the game kicked off, New Zealand came out guns blazing, scoring an early try and conversion against the home team. Scottish players Evan Donaldson and Lana Skeldon could not stop the sheer force of Black Ferns prop Mo’omo’oga Palu who charged through the defense like it was nothing.
The Ferns’ fast tempo and hard drives were difficult for Scotland to contend with, and while they did make some progress in holding the New Zealanders back, in the end it was futile.
Scotland’s captain Rachel Malcolm said afterwards, “What we didn’t deal that well with, was when they turned the ball over, because they’re so dangerous with moving the ball”.
“We just didn’t recover”.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, as in the first half, Stirling born Evie Gallagher made a break for it. She managed to score Scotland’s first try of the game, and Scotland women’s first ever try against New Zealand. A real moment for celebration for the Scots in the crowd.
Scotland’s momentum was short lived however, as the Black Ferns immediately turned the game back around. It follows a pattern we saw last weekend in Scotland’s game against Canada – as fast as they gain momentum, they lose it.
As the second half commenced, it was clear to see that Scotland had a lot of heart, but were just no match for the accuracy and power of their opponents. As the rain came down, so does Scotland’s hope of a home win.
With a last minute try from New Zealand’s Alena Sali, the Ferns pushed the score over 60, twisting the knife one last time making their statement in their first Scottish soil game.
Looking ahead to their last home game, Rachel Malcolm said, “I have no doubt that Australia are going to come out and be looking for the win against us and come in hot. But I think we can take a lot of positives from the last two weeks and look at where they [New Zealand] got us and where the sun is”.
Scotland Coach Dave Butcher said, “I’m not satisfied where we are, I recognise where we are, but as long as I keep seeing growth and the girls can keep seeing growth.. Then there is no reason why we can’t push on again”.
Scotland – 14
Tries: Gallagher 2
Conversions: Nelson 2
New Zealand – 66
Tries: Palu, Vaipulu, McGregor, King, Sae 2, Du Plessis, Sititi, Turner, Saili
Conversions: Sorensen-McGree 7, King
Scotland’s next opponent is Australia at Hive stadium on the 26th of September.
