XV-a-Side rugby column: Scotland just lose out in classic clash against New Zealand

MYSTERY PLAYER: Who is this former England, Barbarians and Lions star? (Photo: Reg Speller/Getty Images)

Here is this week’s XV-a-Side column, created in partnership with Rugby Memories Scotland.

WEEKLY ANSWERS

Last week’s Mystery Player was Tom Kiernan the former Ireland and Lions player. Last week’s True or False was FALSE. Scotland lost 13-6 to New Zealand in the 1991 Rugby World Cup 3rd/4th Place Play-Off match.

MATCH TO REMEMBER

New Zealand 21 Scotland 18: Saturday, June 23, 1990 at Eden Park Auckland.

Home Try: Loe. Home penalties: Fox 5. Home conversions: Fox 1.

Away Tries: Stanger, Moore. Away penalties: G Hastings 2: Away conversions: G Hastings 2.

Scotland went ever so close to beating the All Blacks on their own patch in a great contest in which they won the try count 2-1.

They lost the match in controversial fashion and were unlucky to come across stand-off Grant Fox in devastating kicking form.

The Scotland team and their supporters felt pride and frustration in equal amounts. The pride came from an outstanding display by all fifteen players and the frustration from one hugely controversial decision by Welsh referee Bevan.

Gavin Hastings was penalised for not releasing the ball after a tackle by Brewer who looked suspiciously offside when he tackled the Scotland full-back. Scotland were leading 18-15 at that stage and Brewer was well in front of the kicker Crowley.

Fox kicked the penalty and added another to leave the Scots 21-18 behind. The Scots had not beaten New Zealand in fifteen Test Matches stretching back to 1905 and were unlucky to find Fox in such devastatingly accurate form.

“Scots Hounded by Fox” was the headline in one paper, and the only two defeats on a successful eight-match tour had been in the two Tests.

3G FAMILY QUIZ

Last week’s answers:

Youth a. MACRON. b. STIRLING WOLVES. c. HAWICK.

Senior: a. SCOTLAND. b. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. c. ANDY ROBINSON.

Veteran: a. In correct order - 1 SCOTT HASTINGS (65) 2 JIM RENWICK (52) 3 IWAN TUKALO (37) 4 FINLAY CALDER (34)

Mastermind: WESTERN SAMOA

This week’s questions:

YOUTH: In the current FOSROC series, if the Bulls are playing the Bears, which two clubs are in action?

Which two teams did Scotland beat in the 2024 Six Nations series?

Who are Scotland’s first opponents in the2025 Six Nations series?

SENIOR: Which England player has scored eleven tries in Rugby World Cups?

Which Scot has scored 227 points in Rugby World Cups?

Another Scot has scored 140 World Cup points... Who is he?

VETERAN: Which All Black was the leading points scorer in the 1987 Rugby World Cup?

Which Ireland player had that honour in the 1991 tournament?

Which Irishman scored all twenty-one points when Ireland beat Scotland 21-12 in 1982?

MASTERMIND: Scotland have kept a clean sheet in several Rugby World Cups. Who were they playing in these games?

1995 – Won 89-0: 1999- Won 48-0: 2019- Won 61-0: 2019 – 34-0.

TRUE OR FALSE?: Neil Jenkins holds the Welsh record for the number of drop goals scored with thirteen?