New Zealand scored 10 tries to Scotland’s two to record a comfortable win at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh in the WXV Global Series clash on Saturday evening.
The world number two Black Ferns had never played in Scotland before and showed their class at times in a 66-14 triumph to keep them unbeaten in the history of this fixture.
In front of a crowd of 4,194, New Zealand took just two minutes to get on the scoreboard, tighthead prop Mo’omo’oga Palu powering over for a try under the posts with full-back Braxton Sorensen-McGee converting.
Six minutes later second-row Maama Vaipulu scored their second try and the visitors were 12-0 up.
Scotland then started to defend with a bit more structure and, by the end of the first quarter, the score was still the same.
The home full-back Chloe Rollie then intercepted a pass from her opposite number Sorensen-McGee and ran 70 metres. The Scots showed good patience and, after a few phases, in the 22nd minute No.8 Evie Gallagher scored a try converted by stand-off Helen Nelson.
That was 12-7, but soon after it was 17-7 when New Zealand put width on the ball and winger Justine McGregor scored their third try.
Try number four came for the Black Ferns on the half hour mark via back-row Elinor-Plum King. Sorensen-McGee’s conversion made it 24-7.
Scotland were being more physical at times than against Canada last time out though and, in the 33rd minute, Gallagher scored her second try.
New Zealand’s fifth and sixth tries by back-row Layla Sae and centre Amy du Plessis made it 38-14 at half-time.
The Black Ferns came firing out of the blocks in the second half and converted tries came via sub Amarante Sititi, scrum-half Tara Turner – who was later named player of the match – and Sae with her second to make it 59-14.
The rest of the game was scrappy as conditions worsened, New Zealand centre Alena Saili’s try finishing things at the death.
This result came off the back of a 64-26 home defeat to third in the world Canada the week before for Scotland.
Next up in the final game of the Vodafone Scotland WXV Series campaign – part of the wider WXV Global Series presented by Mitsubishi Electric featuring the top sides in the world – for Scotland is Australia on September 26 at the Hive.
Scotland’s away WXV Global Series fixtures will take place against Australia on October 17 and October 23.
New Zealand on the attack – thanks to Gareth Falls
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