Māori All Blacks 26 – 29 Scotland
Semenoff Stadium, Whangārei
Saturday 5 July 2025
Kick-off 3.35pm (local time; 4.35am UK time)
The tour kicked off in New Zealand against the Māori All Blacks on Saturday 5 July. This was the third time the two teams have met: first game between Māori and Scotland was played at Murrayfield in 1998, with a return match two years later when the hosts edged a narrow encounter 18-15 in New Plymouth. Scotland won this time in Whangārei, scoring four tries in a close game (26-29).
Harry Paterson scores against the Maori All Blacks
Winger Arron Reed in action against the Maori All Blacks
Fiji 29 – 14 Scotland
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Saturday 12 July 2025
Kick-off 3pm (local time; 4am UK time)
The tour then moved to Fiji where Scotland played their first game on Fijian soil since 2017 on Gregor Townsend’s first summer tour as Scotland head coach. Scotland won the last two encounters at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, most recently in last year’s Autumn Nations Series when they ran out 57-17 winners (with Darcy Graham scoring four tries). Fiji avenged that loss this month in Suva winning 29-14, repeating their win there in 2017.
The Scotland team lines up for the anthem ahead of the match against Fiji in Suva
Cameron Redpath in action against Fiji in Suva
Samoa 12 – 41 Scotland
Eden Park, Auckland
Friday 18 July 2025
Kick-off 8.05pm (local time; 9.05am UK time)
The tour ended back in New Zealand with a convincing 41-12 win against Samoa at the historic Eden Park in Auckland. The Scots scored seven tries through Ewan Ashman, Arron Reed, Kyle Rowe, Rory Hutchinson, Kyle Steyn, Grant Gilchrist and George Turner.
Scrum-half Jamie Dobie had a cracking game against Samoa
Stand-off Fergus Burke coming close to scoring against Samoa!
The Squad
The Summer Tour gives players the chance to impress on the international stage, with last year’s Tour of the Americas seeing 11 players make their Scotland debut. It was a catalyst for many to shine in the national jersey, such as Max Williamson who produced a stand-out performance against South Africa and Gregor Brown, who went on to play in every Guinness Six Nations match this year, and who was eventually called up by the British & Irish Lions!
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said of the fixtures when the squad was announced: “It’s the first time since 2000 that we’ve been to New Zealand, and spending time in a country with such a deep rugby culture is such a unique and special experience. There are players and coaches within our group who have never been there before, and I know they are looking forward to the opportunity as well as the challenges we will face on the Tour.
“Playing against the Māori All Blacks will be a proper introduction to New Zealand rugby and they will provide a strong test, especially in the contact area. Fiji have shown over the past few seasons that they are a rising force in world rugby and will relish the chance of playing a Six Nations country at home. We will be challenged in attack and defence as well as very different weather conditions that we are used to in the northern hemisphere.”
“Finally, Samoa are one of the most physical teams in world rugby with how hard they hit in the tackle. They were very competitive at the World Cup in 2023 and secured an impressive win over Italy last summer. Playing at Eden Park is a wonderful opportunity for both teams and it will be a great setting to end our tour of the South Pacific.”
