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Scotsman
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland sign off Pacific tour on high as Glasgow Warriors playmaker illuminates Eden Park
Tour ends on positive note but Fiji defeat will rankle Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland ended their Pacific tour on a positive note, scoring seven tries to defeat Samoa in Auckland on a night when Jamie Dobie illuminated Eden Park. The Glasgow Warriors player had his finest outing in a Scotland jersey, particularly at scrum-half in the first 40 minutes. He was moved on to the wing after the break to accommodate George Horne and continued to exert an influence as the visitors won 41-12. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was the most convincing performance of the tour by Scotland, albeit against opponents playing their first match since September. First-half tries from Ewan Ashman, the excellent Rory Hutchinson, Arron Reed and Kyle Steyn put the tourists in the driving seat and they led 22-0 at the turn. Grant Gilchrist, Kyle Rowe and George Turner kept the scoreboard ticking over with second-half tries and although Samoa responded with scores from Ben Nee-Nee and Duncan Paia'aua, Scotland ran out comfortable winners. Ewan Ashman and Andy Onyeama-Christie celebrate Scotland's 41-12 win over Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland. | Getty Images The bald stats from the tour are played three, won two, lost one and there is no doubting last weekend's defeat in Fiji was a major setback for Scotland. The loss in Suva saw them drop one place in the world rankings, to eighth, when the aim was to move into the top six ahead of the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Point to prove after Fiji defeat USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga will all visit Murrayfield in November, offering the Scots another chance to climb the ladder. A top-six spot by the time the draw takes place in December would place them among the top tier of seeds. Gregor Townsend's side had a point to prove following the defeat in Fiji and they returned to New Zealand to more favourable conditions. They had opened the tour with a 29-26 win over the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei and ended it on a cool evening in Auckland which was more suited to the Scots than the humidity of Suva. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland had never previously won at Eden Park, a fabled rugby venue wrapped up in All Blacks mystique. They had come five times previously to play New Zealand and lost each time. There was also a painful 20-16 defeat by England in the 2011 World Cup, when Townsend was assistant coach to Andy Robinson. Samoa may not have the lustre of the All Blacks but they enjoyed a noisy backing at Eden Park. Auckland has a huge Samoan population and there were around 15,000 inside the ground. They roared their approval for the pre-match Siva Tau war dance and Scotland accepted the challenge. Samoa were lively starters but it didn't take Dobie long to show his worth. He broke clear on the blindside, chased his own chip and won a lineout close to the Samoan line from which Scotland scored their opening try. Gilchrist claimed the ball and Ashman was driven over to give the Scots a seventh-minute lead. Entire backline missing Scotland have an entire backline away with the Lions but the understudies in Auckland were seizing their chance to impress. Hutchinson in particular seemed to be relishing a rare start for the national team. The Northampton Saints centre produced a 50:22 which almost put in Reed and Hutchinson scored Scotland's second try soon after. It was created by a perfectly weighted kick from Stafford McDowall and Fergus Burke added the conversion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland's Jamie Dobie chips ahead during the win over Samoa in the tour match at Eden Park, Auckland. | AFP via Getty Images Townsend had challenged Scotland to improve in two key areas which had cost them in Fiji: discipline and contact. They conceded only eight penalties to Samoa's nine, a big improvement on the 14 they gave away in Suva, and there were no yellow cards either. The breakdown was frenetic, with 13 turnovers in the first 20 minutes alone. Dobie was guilty of throwing a pass to Samoan hands but the scrum-half made a brilliant recovery to chase back and tackle. Darcy Graham left the Scotland camp this week to join up with the Lions but Reed is a more than able deputy and scored his fifth try in four Tests to move Scotland further ahead. Dobie was the creator, executing the perfect long pass from the base of the scrum as the Scots held penalty advantage. Rory Hutchinson of Scotland scores a first-half try during the win over Samoa at Eden Park, Auckland. | Getty Images The Glasgow Warriors nine then kicked a 50:22 which led directly to Scotland's fourth try. The tourists worked the ball out wide from the lineout for Steyn to score in the corner. Burke was struggling off the tee - converting only one of four in the first half - but the Scots went in at the break 22-0 ahead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Horne takes over Ashman and Rory Sutherland were removed at half-time and the front-row pair will now head to Australia to link up with the Lions. They were replaced by Turner and Nathan McBeth. Horne also came on for Steyn, with Dobie moving out to the wing. There was no discernible change in momentum and Scotland scored their fifth try five minutes into the second half, Gilchrist piling over after good multi-phase play. It was the lock's second try for Scotland in his 82nd appearance. Horne took over kicking duties and slotted the conversion but Samoa hit back when the scrum-half threw away possession as the Scots tried to run the ball from their own line. Nee-Nee gratefully accepted the gift to score. Grant Gilchrist, one of Scotland's try-scorers, celebrates the win over Samoa. | Getty Images Rowe had been one of Scotland's more impressive performers and got a deserved try when he finished smartly in the corner after an off-load off the floor from Burke. Townsend made further changes, including bringing on Fin Richardson for his first cap. Soon after, Adam Hastings replaced Burke who went off for an HIA. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hastings couldn't stop Paia'aua bursting through to score Samoa's second try of the night and Jacob Umaga, on his debut, converted. The hosts were looking to finish strongly but it was Scotland who scored the final try. Like their first score, it came from a lineout drive and this time it was Turner who was on the end of it, with help from Hastings. Teams and scorers Scorers: Samoa: Tries: Nee-Nee, Paia'aua. Cons: Umaga. Scotland: Tries: Ashman, Hutchinson, Reed, Steyn, Gilchrist, Rowe, Turner. Cons: Burke, Horne 2. Samoa: 15. Latrell Ah Kiong; 14. Tuna Tuitama, 13. Duncan Paia'aua, 12. Henry Taefu, 11. Tomasi Alosio; 10. Jacob Umaga, 9. Melani Matavao; 1. Akpi Seiuli, 2. Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3. Michael Ala'alatoa, 4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Theo McFarland (capt), 7. Jonah Mau'u, 8. Taleni Seu. Replacements: 16. Luteru Tolai, 17. Kaynan Sitiene-Tua, 18. Marco Fepuleai, 19. Michael Curry, 20. Niko Jones, 21. Iakopo Mapu, 22. Connor Tupai, 23. Rodney Iona. Scotland: 15. Kyle Rowe; 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Stafford McDowall, 11. Arron Reed; 10. Fergus Burke, 9. Jamie Dobie; 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Elliot Millar Mills, 4. Gregor Brown, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Andy Onyeama-Christie , 7. Rory Darge (capt), 8. Matt Fagerson. Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Nathan McBeth, 18. Fin Richardson, 19. Cameron Henderson, 20. Marshall Sykes, 21. Ben Muncaster, 22. George Horne, 23. Adam Hastings.
Sydney Morning Herald
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It's extra motivation for our boys': Kefu speaks out after Lions block Wallaby from playing
'I'm here to talk about the game tomorrow and as a playing group, as a coaching group, I don't think we're that fussed either way to be honest.' Sources with knowledge of the Lions' demand but not authorised to speak publicly said that Samu was told the news yesterday in Melbourne and was offered the opportunity to leave the First Nations and Pasifika XV, but requested to stay with the squad where he is helping at training. Samu's teammates were told on Friday morning at training. The First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture in Melbourne was created after the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels last May and will be the first time a team of this nature has played the British and Irish Lions in Australia. Because the original tour agreement signed between Rugby Australia and the Lions organisation initially had the Rebels fixture in it, the need to change to an alternative team after the Rebels' demise last year also meant the contract had to be amended. The Lions agreed, but insisted on a sign-off of the squad that would be put together. The Lions have drafted in three Scotland players Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham, specifically for Tuesday's game at Docklands Stadium, to provide cover for the Test squad. Samu is of Samoan heritage and played for the AUNZ XV that were defeated last Saturday by the Lions in Adelaide Oval. Kefu named a squad including Kurtley Beale, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Seru Uru and Andy Muirhead to take on the Lions but it is arguably not as strong as the AUNZ Invitational XV, who were thumped by the Lions 48-0 in Adelaide. Loading Fijian Drua duo Mesake Doge and Mesake Vocevoce were also called into the squad, becoming the first Fijian internationals to face the Lions since the country's 1977 victory. The First Nations Pasifika squad has also been bolstered by Thursday's news that Wallabies Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu will play in the fixture. Fijian Test winger Ponipate Loganimasi has also been added to the squad.
Scotsman
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland sign off Pacific tour on high as Glasgow Warriors playmaker illuminates Eden Park
Tour ends on positive note but Fiji defeat will rankle Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland ended their Pacific tour on a positive note, scoring seven tries to defeat Samoa in Auckland on a night when Jamie Dobie illuminated Eden Park. The Glasgow Warriors player had his finest outing in a Scotland jersey, particularly at scrum-half in the first 40 minutes. He was moved on to the wing after the break to accommodate George Horne and continued to exert an influence as the visitors won 41-12. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was the most convincing performance of the tour by Scotland, albeit against opponents playing their first match since September. First-half tries from Ewan Ashman, the excellent Rory Hutchinson, Arron Reed and Kyle Steyn put the tourists in the driving seat and they led 22-0 at the turn. Grant Gilchrist, Kyle Rowe and George Turner kept the scoreboard ticking over with second-half tries and although Samoa responded with scores from Ben Nee-Nee and Duncan Paia'aua, Scotland ran out comfortable winners. Ewan Ashman and Andy Onyeama-Christie celebrate Scotland's 41-12 win over Samoa at Eden Park in Auckland. | Getty Images The bald stats from the tour are played three, won two, lost one and there is no doubting last weekend's defeat in Fiji was a major setback for Scotland. The loss in Suva saw them drop one place in the world rankings, to eighth, when the aim was to move into the top six ahead of the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Point to prove after Fiji defeat USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga will all visit Murrayfield in November, offering the Scots another chance to climb the ladder. A top-six spot by the time the draw takes place in December would place them among the top tier of seeds. Gregor Townsend's side had a point to prove following the defeat in Fiji and they returned to New Zealand to more favourable conditions. They had opened the tour with a 29-26 win over the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei and ended it on a cool evening in Auckland which was more suited to the Scots than the humidity of Suva. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland had never previously won at Eden Park, a fabled rugby venue wrapped up in All Blacks mystique. They had come five times previously to play New Zealand and lost each time. There was also a painful 20-16 defeat by England in the 2011 World Cup, when Townsend was assistant coach to Andy Robinson. Samoa may not have the lustre of the All Blacks but they enjoyed a noisy backing at Eden Park. Auckland has a huge Samoan population and there were around 15,000 inside the ground. They roared their approval for the pre-match Siva Tau war dance and Scotland accepted the challenge. Samoa were lively starters but it didn't take Dobie long to show his worth. He broke clear on the blindside, chased his own chip and won a lineout close to the Samoan line from which Scotland scored their opening try. Gilchrist claimed the ball and Ashman was driven over to give the Scots a seventh-minute lead. Entire backline missing Scotland have an entire backline away with the Lions but the understudies in Auckland were seizing their chance to impress. Hutchinson in particular seemed to be relishing a rare start for the national team. The Northampton Saints centre produced a 50:22 which almost put in Reed and Hutchinson scored Scotland's second try soon after. It was created by a perfectly weighted kick from Stafford McDowall and Fergus Burke added the conversion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland's Jamie Dobie chips ahead during the win over Samoa in the tour match at Eden Park, Auckland. | AFP via Getty Images Townsend had challenged Scotland to improve in two key areas which had cost them in Fiji: discipline and contact. They conceded only eight penalties to Samoa's nine, a big improvement on the 14 they gave away in Suva, and there were no yellow cards either. The breakdown was frenetic, with 13 turnovers in the first 20 minutes alone. Dobie was guilty of throwing a pass to Samoan hands but the scrum-half made a brilliant recovery to chase back and tackle. Darcy Graham left the Scotland camp this week to join up with the Lions but Reed is a more than able deputy and scored his fifth try in four Tests to move Scotland further ahead. Dobie was the creator, executing the perfect long pass from the base of the scrum as the Scots held penalty advantage. Rory Hutchinson of Scotland scores a first-half try during the win over Samoa at Eden Park, Auckland. | Getty Images The Glasgow Warriors nine then kicked a 50:22 which led directly to Scotland's fourth try. The tourists worked the ball out wide from the lineout for Steyn to score in the corner. Burke was struggling off the tee - converting only one of four in the first half - but the Scots went in at the break 22-0 ahead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Horne takes over Ashman and Rory Sutherland were removed at half-time and the front-row pair will now head to Australia to link up with the Lions. They were replaced by Turner and Nathan McBeth. Horne also came on for Steyn, with Dobie moving out to the wing. There was no discernible change in momentum and Scotland scored their fifth try five minutes into the second half, Gilchrist piling over after good multi-phase play. It was the lock's second try for Scotland in his 82nd appearance. Horne took over kicking duties and slotted the conversion but Samoa hit back when the scrum-half threw away possession as the Scots tried to run the ball from their own line. Nee-Nee gratefully accepted the gift to score. Grant Gilchrist, one of Scotland's try-scorers, celebrates the win over Samoa. | Getty Images Rowe had been one of Scotland's more impressive performers and got a deserved try when he finished smartly in the corner after an off-load off the floor from Burke. Townsend made further changes, including bringing on Fin Richardson for his first cap. Soon after, Adam Hastings replaced Burke who went off for an HIA. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hastings couldn't stop Paia'aua bursting through to score Samoa's second try of the night and Jacob Umaga, on his debut, converted. The hosts were looking to finish strongly but it was Scotland who scored the final try. Like their first score, it came from a lineout drive and this time it was Turner who was on the end of it, with help from Hastings. Teams and scorers Scorers: Samoa: Tries: Nee-Nee, Paia'aua. Cons: Umaga. Scotland: Tries: Ashman, Hutchinson, Reed, Steyn, Gilchrist, Rowe, Turner. Cons: Burke, Horne 2. Samoa: 15. Latrell Ah Kiong; 14. Tuna Tuitama, 13. Duncan Paia'aua, 12. Henry Taefu, 11. Tomasi Alosio; 10. Jacob Umaga, 9. Melani Matavao; 1. Akpi Seiuli, 2. Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3. Michael Ala'alatoa, 4. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Theo McFarland (capt), 7. Jonah Mau'u, 8. Taleni Seu. Replacements: 16. Luteru Tolai, 17. Kaynan Sitiene-Tua, 18. Marco Fepuleai, 19. Michael Curry, 20. Niko Jones, 21. Iakopo Mapu, 22. Connor Tupai, 23. Rodney Iona. Scotland: 15. Kyle Rowe; 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Stafford McDowall, 11. Arron Reed; 10. Fergus Burke, 9. Jamie Dobie; 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Elliot Millar Mills, 4. Gregor Brown, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Andy Onyeama-Christie , 7. Rory Darge (capt), 8. Matt Fagerson. Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Nathan McBeth, 18. Fin Richardson, 19. Cameron Henderson, 20. Marshall Sykes, 21. Ben Muncaster, 22. George Horne, 23. Adam Hastings.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Scotland round off tour with seven-try win over Samoa
Scotland bounced back in emphatic fashion to round off their Pacific tour with a 41-12 victory over Samoa. Seven Scotland players notched tries at Eden Park in Auckland as Gregor Townsend's side finished their season on a high. The tourists were looking to make amends for a 29-14 defeat by Fiji last weekend which was littered with poor discipline and responded with a second win in New Zealand after beating the Maori All Blacks in the opening match. Ewan Ashman, Rory Hutchinson, Arron Reed, Kyle Steyn, Grant Gilchrist, Kyle Rowe and George Turner all crossed. Fergus Burke added two points – most of his conversion attempts came from out wide – before substitute George Horne took over kicking duties and converted twice. Scotland were quickly into their stride and Ashman forced the ball over the line after an eighth-minute lineout maul to open the scoring. They kept up the pressure and Hutchinson doubled the lead five minutes later after latching on to a penetrating short kick from fellow midfielder Stafford McDowall. Samoa responded with some territory but Jamie Dobie put in a good saving tackle and Scotland largely kept their opponents at bay. Just like their second try, Scotland capitalised on a scrum deep in Samoan territory to extend their lead in the 31st minute. Dobie's long pass found Reed on the left wing and he made no mistake in the corner. The Scots produced an impressive switch of play to get their fourth try five minutes later. The ball was swiftly worked out to Steyn on the right wing after a lineout on the left-hand touchline to put the tourists 22-0 up at the interval. Rowe and the impressive Dobie came close to adding to the score in the opening moments of the second half before Gilchrist capitalised on some pressure near the try line to force himself over for his second Scotland try in the 45th minute. Horne's attempts to play out from deep backfired as he firstly put a team-mate in trouble and then lost possession as Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee got Samoa off the mark in the 51st minute. But Scotland were soon back on the attack and Rowe crossed in the corner four minutes later after Burke offloaded on the ground. Duncan Paia'Aua grabbed Samoa's second try but Scotland had the final say as the power of their pack told and Turner touched down with two minutes left.
CNA
18-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Scotland end Pacific tour in emphatic style with win over Samoa
Scotland proved far too strong for Samoa as they completed their three-match Pacific tour with a comprehensive 41-12 triumph in their test at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday. The Scots, with nine players away with the British & Irish Lions on tour in Australia, outscored Samoa seven tries to two with Ewan Ashman, Rory Hutchinson, Arron Reed, Kyle Steyn, Grant Gilchrist, Kyle Rowe and George Turner all going over. Fergus Burke put over two conversions and George Horne one. Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee and Duncan Paia'aua scored tries for Samoa, who had plentiful support but put on a disjointed showing in their first international since last September. Four first half tries had Scotland enjoy a healthy 22-0 lead at the break as nippy scrumhalf Jamie Dobie played a central role in setting up their scores. It was his clever kick after eight minutes that won a lineout and set up the subsequent maul for the first try for Ashman, who along with prop Rory Sutherland flies to Australia on Sunday to join the Lions as forward cover. Hutchinson's try five minutes later came after a clever chip through the Samoa defence by his centre partner Stafford McDowall with Dobie's long pass to Reed on the left wing seeing Scotland going over again in the 31st minute. Another kick from Dobie won Scotland a lineout near the Samoa tryline from which a series of long passes found space for Steyn to run in on the opposite wing. Scotland continued the scoring five minutes into the second half through Gilchrist but then a rare mistake in defence allowed Samoa lock Nee-Nee to intercept near the line and cross over for their first score. A spectacular dive in the corner from Rowe in the 55th minute kept the tourists well in command but five minutes later centre Paia'aua wriggled free from tired looking Scots tacklers to get Samoa's second try. Scotland, however, finished the game with another display of forward power with Turner pushing over for their final try three minutes from time They had started their tour in New Zealand with a win over the Maori All Blacks but then lost last weekend in Fiji. Samoa, who had six debutants in their starting line-up including former England international Jacob Umaga, played the match in New Zealand because their stadium in Apia is undergoing renovations.
