All Blacks Player Ratings vs. Scotland: McKenzie Magic Preserves Streak
All Blacks Player Ratings vs. Scotland: McKenzie Magic Preserves Streak
All Blacks player ratings from a 25-17 win over Scotland at Murrayfield. Damian McKenzie delivers late keeping New Zealand’s 120-year unbeaten streak intact
The All Blacks stretched their 120-year stranglehold over Scotland with a 25-17 victory at Murrayfield, reaffirming a historic dominance that has now delivered 31 wins and two draws across 33 meetings.
Yet, this was no serene victory lap. Scotland dragged New Zealand into deep waters, forcing a contest riddled with momentum shifts, pressure swings and genuine jeopardy.
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A controlled first half gave the All Blacks a 17-0 lead, built on clinical tries from Josh Lord and Will Jordan, backed by slick distribution from the spine and relentless composure when territory tightened.
But as Scotland roared back through Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn, then tied the match at 17-17 via Finn Russell’s penalty, the familiar script looked in danger of flipping.
New Zealand, pushed to its limit, responded with its defining trait: resolution. Damian McKenzie’s 73rd-minute try, followed by a pressure penalty, closed the door with ruthless clarity.
It was a victory defined by patience under fire, execution at pace and individual quality surfacing in the moments when Scotland truly believed. The streak lives on.
Here is how the All Blacks players fared in Edinburgh:
1. Ethan de Groot - 7
Departed for a HIA in the first half but returned to handle proceedings in what was a mighty scrum battle.
Completing 10 tackles, carrying three times and remaining a constant breakdown presence was a no frills showing that backboned his side’s performance.
2. Codie Taylor - 7.5
An ageless wonder, Taylor punched holes in Scotland for 58 minutes, both in the carry and defensively, where he was front and center for his side.
Making six carries and 11 tackles, while marshalling a perfect line-out, makes for a solid outing.
3. Fletcher Newell - 7
Enjoyed a real tussle with Pierre Schoeman at scrum time. Newell had a busy hour on the park.
Did exactly what you want your big tighthead to do and flung bodies around at the breakdown, put in a few key tackles, carried three times and was generally industrious.
4. Josh Lord - 8
Got through an outlandish amount of work during his 59 minutes on the park with 19 tackles and three line-out grabs.
It was Lord’s work at the breakdown that was most important, however, as he slowed down the hosts' breakdown to a sluggish pace at times.
5. Fabian Holland - 9
Dominated the line-out battle once again, the big Dutchman has been such a valuable addition to Robertson’s squad, filling a much-needed heavy hitter void in the engine room.
Nabbing eight line-outs, completing 18 tackles and winning a turnover says it all for Holland.
6. Wallace Sititi - 7.5
Back in the country where his name originated, Sititi’s only blemish was a silly yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.
This moment aside, he clattered into Scottish players on both sides of the ball.
His ability to generate momentum from a standing start is such a weapon close to the line.
7. Ardie Savea - 8.5
Yellow card aside, Savea was a monster in this contest, punching holes in the Scottish defense, winning key turnovers and constantly harassing the Scottish ball carriers.
8. Peter Lakai - 8.8
Pinched a pair of crucial turnovers to go with his table-topping 20 tackles.
This hard work stunted several promising Scottish attacks that had the potential to swing the contest.
On the other side of the ball, when he carried, the No. 8 continually broke the gainline.
9. Cam Roigard - 9
Further cemented himself as the closest competitor for Antoine Dupont’s crown as the best scrumhalf in the game.
Started the match with the opening try and ended it with a couple of clever sniping runs and box kicks that pinned the hosts back.
10. Beauden Barrett - 7.5
Kicked well, marshalled his defense and hoovered up several tricky backfield kicks.
Barrett’s transition from sparkling playmaker to game manager allows those around him to flash, and so it proved once again today.
11. Caleb Clarke - 7
Replaced four minutes into the second half, having made some powerful bursts, won a turnover and generally been a threat anytime he was near the ball.
Unfortunately, his failed HIA will mean he is likely unavailable for next week’s clash with England.
12. Quinn Tupaea - 8
Back in his favored position with Jordie Barrett out injured, Tupaea topped the tackle charts for the All Blacks with 12.
Most of his carries were into heavy traffic, laying the platform for the visitors to get into their multiphase attack.
13. Leicester Fainga'anuku - 8.5
Defining his performance with a masterful turnover in the 76th minute, the former Toulon back has rubber-stamped himself as the first choice in an area of concern for his side.
14. Leroy Carter - 4
Not quite the vintage performance from the former sevens specialist; his yellow card was an unnecessary error.
On the whole, it was a relatively quiet showing by Carter, who struggled to get up to the pitch of the contest with just four carries and two tackles.
15. Will Jordan - 8
Shifting to the wing for the bulk of the second half, Jordan came close to slipping through on a handful of times but ultimately was well marshalled by the Scottish defense.
Still, he was the top meter maker for his side with 52, with two line breaks and two defenders beaten.
Replacements
16. Samisoni Taukei'aho - 8
Injected massive impetus from the bench; the powerhouse hooker was central to his side’s second successive strong finish.
Hunting for work, he carried five times, kept the line-out at 100% and made six tackles.
17. Tamaiti Williams - 7
Steadied the scrum and brought another level of physicality to the breakdown to slow down a Scottish side that was gaining belief and momentum.
Adding to the impressive nature of his showing was that he had two stints on the park, both of which coincided with some of New Zealand’s best play.
18. Pasilio Tosi - 7
Similar to Williams, Tosi was busy during his 20 minutes on the park.
Mostly, he was locking down the pillar defense around the breakdown, but he did have a few nice carries into heavy traffic.
19. Sam Darry - 5
Relatively quiet on the whole, but he did have one nice carry down the left flank.
Away from this moment, he was another player who cleaned breakdowns as his side went through the gears.
20. Du'Plessis Kirifi - 5
Came on for nine minutes and offered a turnover threat.
Completed one carry and two tackles, so overall, a limited opportunity to make an impact.
21. Cortez Ratima – N/A
Unused sub.
22. Billy Proctor - 5
Came on for the final 15 minutes but didn’t have any noticeable impact on the contest.
23. Damian McKenzie - 9
Perhaps it is too much to say he was the difference between the two sides, but when the All Blacks needed some magic, McKenzie delivered.
Putting in a huge 50:22 in the 70th minute to get the All Blacks what felt like their first territorial foothold in the second half.
The replacement fullback then contorted himself under duress by Blair Kinghorn to reach behind his back and score the go-ahead try.
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