|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Umaga magic All Blacks clinch series on a 48-14 win over Scots
Posted: Saturday July 01, 2000 02:45 PM
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- Tana Umaga scored two tries Saturday as New Zealand retained its unbeaten record against Scotland on 48-14 win at Eden Park. Umaga, who also scored two tries in last week's record 69-20 win in the series opener at Dunedin, notched another pair within seven minutes of halftime to give the hosts a 24-0 lead at the break. The Scots scored two second-half converted tries to reduce the margin to 31-14 with 20 minutes remaining before the All Blacks regained control with three late tries in the soaking-wet conditions. Mark Robinson split the defense and slipped out of a cover-tackle on a 35-meter run to score on debut in the 61st minute. Scrumhalf Justin Marshall crossed in the right corner five minutes later and fullback Christian Cullen snared the All Blacks' eighth try just before fulltime to increase the winning margin to 34 points. All Blacks skipper Todd Blackadder said Scotland was vastly improved on the first test. "We probably tried a little too much at times, we made half breaks and were trying to get that last pass away," he said. "The guys were trying things, which is good, but sometimes they didn't come off. Scotland "played well, they played with a lot of character and tonight was a tough night." Losing captain Andy Nicol said the Scots leaked long-range tries but that was a testament to New Zealand's skill. "I'm proud of our effort," he said. "Unfortunately, the scoreline is a bit wide. For a large part of the game we matched an All Blacks side which is very good." Playing his 50th test, flanker Josh Kronfeld opened the scoring in the 5th minute when he touched down amid a driving maul and then No. 8 Ron Cribb crossed following a barging blind-side run by left winger Jonah Lomu. Andrew Mehrtens, whose first two attepts at goal struck the upright, converted Cribb's try to stretch the lead to 12-0. Umaga handled twice in a 75-meter attacking raid to notch his first try on 33 minutes and then crossed again just before halftime. The Scots scored their first points when fullback Chris Paterson intercepted a Mehrtens chip kick and outpaced Cullen on a 40 meter run to the tryline two minutes after the break. All Blacks inside center Alama Ieremia responded with a try and Mehrtens converted to restore the 24-point buffer before the Scots crossed again when Cameron Murray chased down a Gregor Townsend kick and beat the cover to the ball. New Zealand's next test will be July 15 against the world champion Australians at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Scotland, which has never defeated New Zealand, was expected to return home after a five-week tour. Scorers: New Zealand 48 (Tana Umaga 2, Josh Kronfeld, Ron Cribb, Alama Ieremia, Mark Robinson, Justin Marshall, Christian Cullen tries; Andrew Mehrtens 3, Tony Brown 1 conversion) def. Scotland 14 (Chris Paterson, Cameron Murray tries; Duncan Hodge 2 conversions).
| ||||||||||||||||||||
