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Rugby Union

Scots slump to heavy defeat

23/09/2007

Scotland were crushed 40-0 by New Zealand in their Rugby World Cup clash in Edinburgh.

Frank Hadden's side were outplayed by the World Cup favourites who scored six tries through Richie McCaw, Byron Kelleher, Dan Carter, Ali Williams and a brace from Doug Howlett.

The result sees the All Blacks cement top spot in pool C while Scotland remain in second place, two points clear of Italy who they face next Saturday.

The All Blacks strolled in for their first try on five minutes when Rodney So'oialo releasing an inside pass from the scrum to skipper McCaw who touched down, with Dan Carter kicking the conversion.

The World Cup favourites went 14-0 ahead on 14 minutes. Leon MacDonald drew in Hugo Southwell before finding Doug Howlett who touched down a record 47th try for the All Blacks.

New Zealand continued to power forward with Chris Masoe evading a couple of challenges before releasing Kelleher to cross the line on 32 minutes to make the score 20-0.

Scotland, who had never beaten New Zealand in the previous 25 attempts, went 22-0 behind when Carter kicked over a penalty on 42 minutes.

The All Blacks then scored two tries in the space of three minutes to kill off Scotland.

First, Ali Williams bulldozed through three players to touch down on 62 minutes.

Despite a below-par kicking display, Carter showed his class by picking up a loose ball in midfield after scoring under the posts after Nikki Walker's fumble to make the score 35-0.

Seven minutes from time, the All Blacks scored their sixth try when Howlett finished off a slick move to go over for his second try.