Harry Paterson was a try scorer for Scotland versus Māori All Blacks. Image: Fiona Goodall/Scottish Rugby
POTM. Was out-foxed in the opening minute by Bailyn Sullivan but went on to have game-defining impact, particularly with the boot(s).
Deftly weighted kicks off either foot created tries, reliable under the high ball and in contact despite being smashed, and barely put a foot wrong. [Zarn Sullivan – 8]
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Did he say something to upset the Māori beforehand? Got crunched at least three times but still got back up for more. Did tremendously well to finish his try, was always wanting to go forward. which I didn’t think was the best decision on at least one occasion. His ribcage may agree.
[Cole Forbes – 7]
After thinking out loud “not seen much of Hutchinson so far”, he duly popped up to stab the ball through for Horne’s first try. Showed up pretty well in defence again, and some slick handling, most notably the tremendous off-load during the build-up for Hornes’s second. However, the very poorly executed cross-kick looking for Bayliss proved costly at the time, and nearly at full-time. [Bailyn Sullivan – 7]
Really solid in defence, holding players up looking for the maul or rip, and marshalled the troops well in the final minutes. Cracking 50-22 set platform for Reed’s try. Nice step inside and pass outside, in Horne’s stunning second. Must have been delighted to see the ball right in front of his eyes after 86 minutess of play. If I had one complaint, I would like to have seen him communicate/argue with the referee more, and I’d probably have gone sticks when Māori got a second player in the bin. [Gideon Wrampling – 7]
Tremendous kick-chasing helping in the creation of two tries, good composure not to snatch at Smith’s kick for his own score, and then threw the last pass for the try that proved the match-winner. Pretty good day all round. [Daniel Rona – 7]
Grew into the game after one zipped pass to McDowall led to a Māori counter, which he then helped mop up. Moved things along nicely after that, kicked well from hand and tee, but he loses half a point for dropping a fairly easy ball 10 metres from the line with the opponents down to 13 players. Makes it back for impressively brave aerial take just before he came off. [Rivez Reihana – 6]
First kick failed to find touch and saw a try conceded which was not the most auspicious of starts. However, a game of this pace was tailor made for him to come back in. On the same box-kicking wavelength as Reed, there was a quick-tap penalty which resulted in an 80 metre territory gain – and he was there to make the tackle on Zarn Sullivan too – before his predatory instincts saw him claim two tries. Phenomenal workrate to always be in position to score, and threw his little self about tenaciously. [Sam Nock – 7]
Pretty anonymous in the loose going forward, did win a scrum penalty just before coming off in 51st minute. [Jared Proffit –7]
Somewhat tempted to go 6 due to that failed long line-out in Scotland’s 22 which nearly had me spitting coffee everywhere, but there was no harm done. One other overthrow but he puts himself about. Strong carry close to the line in the second period forced the first in a succession of penalties [Kurt Eklund – 7]
Showed a bit more in the loose than McBeth, and defensively solid. Went 2-1 in scrum penalties. [Kerhawl Sykes-Martin – 6]
Set-pieces didn’t function particularly well, particularly the maul in both attack and defence. Put some decent defensive hits in, but didn’t make much over the gainline. [Antonio Shalfoon – 7]
Harrison in particular’s go-to man at the line-out, he gathered everything thrown his way and pinched one from the Māori when they were on the attack. Impressive energy from the big fella too, there was an important scrag on Corey Evans in the 72nd minute which stopped a clear break. [Isaia Walker-Leawere – 7]
Shifted to blindside flanker to accommodate Muncaster and then Masibaka, he did the grafting parts commendably, but nothing came of his trademark twinkle-toed, wing-work – his ‘USP’ in Sam Warburtonese. Gave away a few penalties too. [Te Kamaka Howden – 7]
Back after another unfortunate arm-break and back where he left off. Seemed to be at every breakdown trying to disrupt, won a turnover penalty early in the first-half, impactful carry ahead of the Reed try, tackled everything, and still had enough left to come back on after an injury to his replacement, Gregor Brown. [Jahrome Brown – 6]
Had started pretty strongly, given the 8 jersey and responsibility of taking restarts ahead of the more experienced Bayliss, had carried hard ahead of Scotland’s first try but succumbed to a knee injury after 28mins. [Cullen Grace – 8]
First arrow back in Test rugby went awry, looked a little off pace, then started to bring the boom. Thundered into contact either side of the ball, but without much gainline success as Scotland looked for the try which would have made the last 5mins less terrifying. Drove into the match-clinching counter-ruck.
Very impressive workrate in the loose, I counted four tackles in under two minutes as Scotland tried to prevent the fourth try. Made himself available to carry, won a scrum pen.
Very similar to Hepburn but not quite with the same numbers and no pen win. Looked a wee bit lost at the maul for Karl Eklund’s try.
Took an awkward line-out and absorbed a fair few whacks but not much stood out. Maul was being marched back as the game progressed.
Got just over 5mins before having to be replaced by Onyeama-Christie again. Got little change out of the Māori AB’s defence when trying to carry.
Stuff of nightmares’ start as he was stepped by a prop and then sin-binned for going round the neck within a few minutes. Although we didn’t get to see much of the hard-carrying he’s been brought in to provide, he put some solid hits in in defence and was part of the counter-rucking group which sealed victory.
One nice tip-on pass when he came on, but was unable to exert the same authority on the game as Hastings.
Got to his marks and got the ball out efficiently, best work came defensively. Tackled Daniel Rona into touch after Bayliss’ ruck knock-on could have led to a counter, from resulting scrum he took no:8 Cullen Grace down impressively. Didn’t jump in at the end which may have created space out wide.
Scotland survive late Māori All Blacks surge to start summer tour with a win