logo
#

Latest news with #SemenoffStadium

Scotland find a way to repel second-half Maori onslaught
Scotland find a way to repel second-half Maori onslaught

Times

time05-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Times

Scotland find a way to repel second-half Maori onslaught

Making life difficult for themselves has become something of an art form for ­Scotland down the years. Escaping from tight spots has been a harder habit to acquire — but that is precisely what they did to secure victory in the opening match of their Pacific Tour. While the Maori All Blacks came close to the winning score in a frantic seven minutes of time added on, ­Gregor Townsend's team deserved to hold out. They had led 24-12 at half-time at the Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei, then stretched their lead by a further five points early in the ­second half. Even after the Maori hit back and closed to within three points, the ­tourists looked like running the clock down in comfort. Instead, they ­conceded a penalty 30 seconds from the end of normal time, and had to withstand a furious onslaught before eventually turning over possession and kicking dead. 'The good thing is we found a way to win,' Townsend, the head coach, said. 'It was probably beyond ­expectations that we were so far ahead, knowing what the Maori did last week in Japan,' he continued, referring to the 53-20 win against a Japan XV in Tokyo. 'We knew that they would come back, and it looked like they had the momentum at the end. 'We decided to put a team out tonight that wasn't as experienced, knowing that it'll be a great development and learning experience for them. But we also wanted to win this game and we're so pleased that we did win the game and how we set that win up in the first half — how clinical we were. 'And then the pressure around set piece and our defensive effort at the end saw us through. So we're really pleased that the tour starts on a positive.' If that late penalty concession was an unnecessary complication, the real difficulty came earlier in the ­second 40, when Scotland could only score five points against opponents who had two men sent to the sin-bin within a minute of each other. That minor advantage was wiped out within a minute of the pair returning, swinging the momentum firmly back in favour of the Maori. However, notwithstanding such defects, the match has to go down as a major success for Scotland, with the only real downside being a late ­concussion which rules Gregor Brown out of Saturday's game against Fiji. Townsend had chosen to rest some key players with a view to keeping them fresh for the forthcoming full internationals against Fiji and Samoa, which count for world ranking points, unlike this non-cap match. So it was an inexperienced team that lined up to face the Maori for the first time since the 2000 tourists lost by three points. And perhaps that lack of ­experience showed in an uncertain start that saw the home side take the lead after only 49 seconds when Sam Nock scored an unconverted try off a counterattack. Scotland steadily got back into the game, however, and took the lead when Harry Paterson won the chase into in-goal after Ollie Smith had chipped ahead. Adam Hastings ­converted, then added a penalty as the visitors' domination grew. Next, George Horne got the first of his two tries, like Paterson winning a race to the line from a kick, this time supplied by Rory Hutchinson. ­Hastings' conversion made it 5-17. Scotland had given Fin Richardson a first appearance from the start, and, after Ben Muncaster was taken off with a dead leg, Alex Masibaka became the second debutant, to be joined later by a third, Fergus Burke. Masibaka had an inauspicious start, being sin-binned after collapsing the maul, but in the second half his meaty contribution proved crucial to the defensive effort. Isaia Walker-Leawere had touched down for the Maori just before Masibaka's dismissal, with Rivez Reihana converting. However, the tourists ended the half on top, and Arron Reed got their third try after another clever kick through from Smith. Hastings' conversion ended the half. The opening stages of the second half should have seen Scotland make the most of their momentum, as first Masibaka returned and then Te Kamaka Howden and Zarn Sullivan were carded for defensive offences. But a knock-on by Hastings ended one gilt-edged opportunity to score against the 13 men, and a lost lineout put paid to another chance. Still, after failing to score the easy way, Scotland succeeded in doing so in more difficult fashion, as Horne touched down at the end of a ­magnificent counterattack from deep. Hastings failed to convert, but at 12-29 the lead looked solid enough. Or at least it did until Kurt Eklund, the home captain, scored from a lineout maul, and Reihana's conversion made it a ten-point game. With around quarter of an hour still to play, that became three points. ­Gideon Wrampling touched down on the far left after the Scots defence had been stretched to breaking point, and Kaleb Trask, on for Reihana, added the two points. Scotland reasserted themselves after that setback, and had a lot of promising possession deep inside Maori territory. Had they scored a fifth try then, that would surely have been game over. Instead, in the end, they had to resort to that last-ditch defence. It may have been undisciplined enough, in terms of the laws, for the referee to send Cameron Henderson to the ­sin-bin. But in terms of structure and tenacity, it was spot on. Star player George Horne (Scotland). Scorers: Maori All Blacks: Tries Nock (1min), Walker-Leawere (31), Eklund (57), Wrampling (66). Cons Reihana 2, Trask. Scotland: Tries Paterson (11), Horne 2 (24, 53), Reed (39). Pen Hastings (16). Cons Hastings 3. Maori All Blacks Z Sullivan; C Forbes (C Evans 58), B Sullivan, G Wrampling, D Rona; R Reihana (K Trask 58), S Nock (K Hauiti-Parapara 70); J Proffit (P Rakete-Stones 54), K Eklund (capt; J Devery 64), K Sykes-Martin (B Kumeroa 54), A Shalfoon (L McWhannell 54), I Walker-Leawere, T Howden, J Brown, C Grace. Scotland O Smith; H Paterson, R Hutchinson, S McDowall (capt), A Reed; A Hastings (F Burke 61), G Horne (J Dobie 61); N McBeth (A Hepburn 50), P Harrison (G Turner 50), F Richardson (W Hurd 50), M Sykes (M Williamson 50), C Henderson, J Bayliss, A Onyeama-Christie (G Brown 70, Onyeama-Christie 78), B Muncaster (A Masibaka 29). Yellow cards: Maori All Blacks Howden (46-56), Sullivan (47-57). Scotland Masibaka (32-42), Henderson (85). Referee Nika Amashukeli (Georgia). Attendance 10,100.

Scotland survive stirring Maori All Blacks comeback for 29-26 win
Scotland survive stirring Maori All Blacks comeback for 29-26 win

France 24

time05-07-2025

  • Sport
  • France 24

Scotland survive stirring Maori All Blacks comeback for 29-26 win

In front of a sellout crowd at Semenoff Stadium, Scotland overcame a sluggish start and a tired finish, riding the sound of bagpipes in the final stages for a tense victory. The Maori All Blacks caught Scotland off guard with a try inside 40 seconds. At the first opportunity they spread the ball wide to the left, then a cute chip, chase and offload from Bailyn Sullivan put scrum half Sam Nock over. Scotland awoke and struck back 10 minutes later, Harry Paterson dotting down just before the dead ball line after chasing down a grubber kick. Sloppy play by the hosts allowed Scotland to extend their advantage, fumbling a high bomb before watching the scramble for the ball roll 50 metres into their own territory with scrum-half George Horne eventually scoring his first of the afternoon. Isaia Walker-Leawere found a response in the 32nd minute after sustained pressure on the Scotland line, which also saw Alexander Masibaka yellow carded minutes into his debut off the bench. Despite being a man down, Scotland struck once more on the stroke of half-time, Arron Reed collecting another grubber kick to score with no defender in sight. Horne scored his second in the 53rd minute, Scotland using added space created by two Maori All Blacks being sent to the bin, stretching the field and breaking for a stunning team try. Maori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund scored from a rolling maul with just over 20 minutes remaining to give his side hope. Gideon Wrampling rampaged over a tired, ramshackle Scottish defence with 14 minutes remaining, making it a three-point game © 2025 AFP

Whangārei welcomes buzz ahead of rare sporting spectacle as it hosts Māori All Blacks and Scotland
Whangārei welcomes buzz ahead of rare sporting spectacle as it hosts Māori All Blacks and Scotland

RNZ News

time04-07-2025

  • Sport
  • RNZ News

Whangārei welcomes buzz ahead of rare sporting spectacle as it hosts Māori All Blacks and Scotland

Whangārei - often quiet in mid-winter - is expected to be packed ahead of the city's biggest sporting event in years. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf Excitement is building and accommodation is packed in Whangārei today ahead of the city's biggest sporting fixture in three years. The gates at Semenoff Stadium open at 12.30pm with kick-off in the Māori All Blacks versus Scotland clash due at 3.35pm. The double-header gets underway at 1.05pm when the Black Ferns take on the Black Ferns XV. It's the first time in 25 years the Māori All Blacks and Scotland have met in Whangārei. It's also the city's biggest game since New Zealand met Scotland in pool play of the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup, which was held in October 2022 due to the Covid pandemic. Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said more than 9000 tickets had been sold as of Friday, with the final number expected to top 10,000. He said the grandstand had sold out but there was still room on the embankments. "The clash of these two nations, it hasn't happened in Whangārei for 25 years. It's going to be an epic day," he said. The influx of visitors would also mean a "huge" economic boost for the city, in mid-winter when it was most needed. "Let's put this way, I don't think there's a spare bedroom available in any of the hotels." Cocurullo said excitement about the match was heightened by the Whangārei District's strong Māori and Scottish heritage. Large numbers of Scots settled at Whangārei Heads and in Waipū in the mid-19th century, travelling from their homeland via the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Cocurullo was also excited about the Black Ferns versus Black Ferns XV opener, which he said would help decide who ended up playing for New Zealand in upcoming international matches. Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Leah McKerrow said the city was already buzzing on Friday, and she had spotted many supporters on the streets clad in traditional Scottish kilts. "The more we can encourage sports, entertainment and arts events into our region, the better for our economy ... anything like this is an opportunity for small businesses to pick up the extra volume of people that are around," she said. Whangārei hotels and motels RNZ spoke to on Friday were booked out and were still fielding phone calls from out-of-towners hoping to stay for the weekend. The Settlers Hotel, on Hatea Drive near the city centre, had been fully booked by the Scottish team. Pubs and cafes were also girding themselves for a big weekend. Rob Lang, of the Judge House of Ale on Walton Street, said his establishment had embraced the game by bringing in a Scottish-themed menu and decorating the bar with Scottish paraphernalia. He had brought in extra staff to deal with the expected game-night crowd. Special menu items included mince and tatties (stewed mince with mashed potato) and "stovies" (a dish made with potatoes, onions, roast meat and beef dripping) as well as some New Zealand favourites such as ika mata (raw fish salad) and snapper burgers with frybread. Lang was hopeful of hosting the Scots at some point, after the team's selectors dropped in on Thursday night to check out the premises. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store