New Zealand beat Scotland 43-21 despite Ewan Ashman hat-trick

New Zealand defeated Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield in the Nations Championship on Saturday, overcoming a first-half hat-trick from Ewan Ashman before scoring 19 unanswered points after the interval. BBC Sport reported that the All Blacks finished with seven tries to Scotland's three, turning a 24-21 half-time advantage into a clear victory. Beauden Barrett scored twice for the visitors, while Ashman supplied all of Scotland's tries.

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The result extended New Zealand's unbeaten record against Scotland to 34 Tests. They have now won 32 of those meetings, with the other two ending in draws, in a series stretching back to 1905. Scotland stayed close throughout an eventful opening half, but their pursuit of a first victory over the All Blacks ended with a scoreless second period.

Wallace Sititi opened the scoring after New Zealand used a close-range lineout to create a gap in Scotland's defence. The hosts responded when Kyle Rowe's 50-22 kick provided the platform for a driven lineout and Ashman's first try. Finn Russell converted to put Scotland ahead. New Zealand then regained control through tries from Ethan de Groot and Codie Taylor, establishing a 17-7 lead inside the opening quarter.

Discipline helped Scotland back into the match. Peter Lakai was shown a yellow card for repeated New Zealand offside infringements, and Ashman crossed again during his absence. Barrett replied with his first try, but a further yellow card, this time for Sititi, gave Scotland another opening. After a brief spell against 13 players, the hosts scored through another Ashman finish from a lineout maul. Russell converted all three of the hooker's tries.

New Zealand's pressure after the restart prevented Scotland from building on that recovery. Josh Moorby scored after Jordie Barrett sent a pass wide from a scrum move. Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was then yellow-carded, and the visitors took advantage: Quinn Tupaea and Damian McKenzie combined to release Beauden Barrett for his second try, widening the gap as Scotland struggled to escape their own end.

Asafo Aumua completed New Zealand's seven-try return by finishing another set-piece move. McKenzie ended with four conversions, while Scotland added nothing to their interval total. Ashman's three tries had made the first half closely contested, but the contrast after the break was decisive: New Zealand added three more tries and kept the hosts from scoring again.