Scotland v New Zealand

The All Blacks, Rugby World Cup 2023 runners-up (they lost by a single point to South Africa in the final) are heading to Scottish Gas Murrayfield for the first time since 2022. That day, Scotland were ahead 23-14 going into the last quarter and only a point behind in the last few minutes until Mark Telea’s converted try took the visitors to a 31-23 win. Scotland were even closer to winning in 2017 when Beauden Barrett’s try-saving tackle right at the end denied the Scots a famous first-ever win against the All Blacks. What a game in store – definitely not one to be missed!

Darcy Graham scores against the All Blacks at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in 2022

Recent Scotland results against New Zealand

Huw Jones scores Scotland’s second try in the 2017 match

Classic Encounters

Scotland 23 – 31 New Zealand
13 November 2022

The last time the All Blacks came to Scottish Gas Murrayfield was another close affair. Having found themselves 0-14 down after only seven minutes, Scotland stormed back scoring 17 unanswered points to lead at half-time, and were 23-14 up going into the last quarter. As the match report on this website says, another one that got away! Watch the highlights HERE.

Scotland 25 – 25 New Zealand
12 November 1983

The closest Scotland have come to beating the All Blacks. With the score at 21-25 Scotland winger Jim Pollock scored a try in very last minute taking the game to 25-25 (a try was only worth four points in those days).  The difficult touchline conversion from Peter Dods missed the target by a whisker. This was the Scotland team that went on to win its first Five Nations Grand Slam for 59 years the following Spring. You can watch some rare footage HERE. (There was a strike at the BBC that day so the match was never broadcast live in the UK.)

Scotland 9 – 14 New Zealand
16 December 1972

Another close game against Ian Kirkpatrick’s All Blacks and a Scotland team packed with now famous names: Ian McLauchlan, Sandy Carmichael, Gordon Brown, Peter Brown and, winning their first caps, Andy Irvine and Ian McGeechan.

Andy Irvine’s Amazing Debut
“May I take that full-back of your back to Llanelli with me?” That was Carwyn James talking after the Scotland v New Zealand match at Murrayfield on 16 December 1972. The famous coach of the history-making 1971 Lions was referring to Andrew Irvine. It was in that 1972 New Zealand match that he gained his first cap, as did Ian McGeechan. It was the brilliance of Irvine’s debut performance that had Carwyn James extolling his virtues. He recognised right away that here was a player with not only inordinately high skill levels but a spirit of adventure and a highly developed instinct for what was on. It was some debut for the 21 year-old. He hit the international scene like a stray meteorite. Apart from missing a couple of left-foot touches, he caught everything, the second of his huge penalty goals cut the New Zealand lead to 10-9 with ten minutes to go and, as one report had it, “he simply lit up Murrayfield with his electric running.” It came out later that he had to have a mouth wound stitched after the match, having decided not to have it treated at half-time lest the medicos didn’t let him on again!
Taken from Bill McLaren’s article in the 1978 Scotland v New Zealand match programme.

1972: Peter Brown (left) Ian McLauchlan (headband, on ground) Sandy Carmichael (headband, right) and Alex Wylie (with ball).

MURRAYFIELD MEMORIES: Were you there?

This year Murrayfield celebrates its 100th anniversary, and as part of the birthday celebrations Scottish Rugby is building a treasure trove of fans’ memories. If you were at any of these games – or any other event the stadium over the years – we want to hear from you! You can share your share and memories, together with any all old photos and videos if you have them, via the Murrayfield Memories page on this website.

New Zealand: Recent Form

Matchday Information

To find out everything you need to know when planning your visit to Scottish Gas Murrayfield go to the Scotland Matchday Information page on this website. More specific information for the this November’s Autumn Nations Series games (e.g. entertainment, timings etc.) will be posted on these pages closer to the event.

Darcy Graham scoring against New Zealand in 2022