Scotland player ratings vs All Blacks: 2025 Autumn Internationals

Saturday, 08 November 2025 at 17:01

byRugby Rucker

Scotland player ratings vs All Blacks as Gregor Townsend's mens wait for a win against New Zealand continues despite a second-half comeback.

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Damian McKenzie came off the bench to snatch victory for New Zealand, touching down six minutes from time to keep the All Blacks unbeaten against Scotland.

At Murrayfield on Saturday, the All Blacks ran out 25-17 winners, but the match was far from straightforward. Scotland rallied from a 17-0 half-time deficit to level at 17-17, threatening to claim a first-ever win over New Zealand in 120 years of rivalry.

McKenzie’s try put New Zealand back in front, and a late 79th-minute penalty sealed the result.

The All Blacks have now claimed 31 wins from 33 encounters, with Scotland’s only highlights being two Murrayfield draws: 0-0 in 1964 and 25-25 in 1983.

Scroll down for Scotland player ratings vs All Blacks.

Scotland: 17

Tries: Ewan Ashman (46′), Kyle Steyn (51′)
Cons: Finn Russell (47′, 52′)
Pens: Russell (60')

New Zealand: 25

Tries: Cam Roigard (3′), Will Jordan (40′), Damian McKenzie (73')
Cons: Beauden Barrett (4′, 41′)
Pens: Beauden Barrett (29′), Damian McKenzie (78')

Scotland player ratings vs All Blacks

1 – Pierre Schoeman – 7.5

Pure power personified. A fan favourite, Schoeman consistently delivers strong carries and dominates the physical exchanges. His ball-carrying ability gives Scotland momentum, and his presence at the breakdown adds real grit to the pack.

2 – Ewan Ashman – 7

Opened the second half with a crucial try for the hosts. Ashman made some defensive errors but showed aggression in the lineout and a willingness to carry hard. With experience, he could become a real lynchpin in the front row.

3 – D’Arcy Rae – 7

Tasked with filling Fagerson’s shoes at tighthead, Rae rose to the occasion. Solid in the scrums and active around the field, he provided stability in a challenging position.

4 – Scott Cummings – 7

Quietly world-class in the engine room. His tackling, work rate, and ability to carry into contact go largely unnoticed but are crucial to Scotland’s forward platform.

5 – Grant Gilchrist – 7

Mr consistent. Gilchrist continues to shine in lineouts and defensive structures, proving once again why he’s a cornerstone of the Scottish pack.

6 – Gregor Brown – 8

Hardworking and tenacious. Brown brings energy and physicality to the back row, often turning up in crucial tackles and breakdowns. His work ethic sets the tone for others.

7 – Matt Fagerson – 7

Brave and committed, always willing to put himself in the thick of the action. His versatility and athleticism make him a constant threat in both attack and defence.

8 – Jack Dempsey – 8

Made a huge shift around the park. Relentless in defence and at the breakdown, Dempsey’s timing, aggression, and work rate disrupted the opposition repeatedly and gave Scotland crucial momentum.

9 – Ben White – 8

Controls the game’s tempo expertly. White’s vision and decision-making combine seamlessly with Russell, forming a halfback partnership that is increasingly difficult to contain. His kicking game adds another dimension to Scotland’s attack.

10 – Finn Russell – 9

Heroic. Battled a heavy knee knock yet produced a superhuman display. Russell dictated play, created opportunities, and demonstrated why he is arguably the world’s best fly-half. His leadership under pressure was key, though he was forced off with five minutes remaining.

11 – Kyle Steyn – 8.5

Justified his selection with tenacious defence. Steyn had limited attacking chances but stayed alert and capitalised when they came, scoring the hosts’ second try after 50 minutes. His versatility in the back three is a real asset.

12 – Sione Tuipulotu – 7.5

Without his regular centre partner Huw Jones, Tuipulotu looked slightly off balance but never stopped working. Strong in attack and defence, he continues to develop into a well-rounded centre.

13 – Rory Hutchinson – 7

Some inaccurate passing, but Hutchinson was solid defensively, making key tackles and putting constant pressure on his opposite number. His consistency helps anchor Scotland’s midfield.

14 – Darcy Graham – 7.5

Industrious and relentless. Graham carried strongly, remained Scotland’s biggest attacking threat, and caused repeated problems with his pace and support lines.

15 – Blair Kinghorn – 5

A tough outing for Kinghorn. One fan brutally summed it up: “The harsh truth of that half is that New Zealand’s 17-point lead sits mostly at the feet of Blair Kinghorn.”

He will need to regroup after a difficult day under pressure.

Replacements – 5/10 overall

Contributed during the second-half performance. They didn’t make a huge impact, but staying under the radar also indicates they maintained the team’s standards effectively. Elliot Millar Mills the pick of the bunch.

Editor’s Picks:

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