Bravehearts may have been broken at Headingley last night but this Scotland side were still unbowed as they took their last lap of honour after defeat in the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup.

Sporting miracles have happened in this corner of Leeds before, most notably on the other side of the main stand when Ian Botham inspired Test cricket's greatest comeback 22 years ago. However, a Scotland win which would have surpassed even that had never seemed likely.

The men in white shirts and tartan shorts - who in only days had constructed a defence which so frustrated Tonga, Italy and the USA in the pool matches - were ripped apart by the power, pace and dexterity of a world champion side that looks determined to hold on to the trophy it had won unexpectedly five years ago.

The match was horribly one-sided but it was always going to be. A sense of perspective is perhaps offered instead by comparing this result with the worst of the defeats suffered by Scotland's rugby union side against New Zealand - a winless run which stretches to 29 matches - when the home side scored 11 tries and racked up 69 points in Dunedin in 2000.

That Scotland side had undergone intensive team-building, had played through a full tour and included both past and future British & Irish Lions in Tom Smith, Gordon Bulloch, Scott Murray, Andy Nicol and Gregor Townsend, as well as Chris Paterson, Scotland's all-time most-capped player.

By contrast the rugby league team which conceded eight tries last night was assembled by Steve McCormack, the Scotland head coach, a month ago and contained umpteen part-timers who had to get time off work to take part in this tournament. They would not go out in a blaze of glory but contributed to a vibrant encounter from the off, the tone set in the first minute when Scotland were awarded a penalty from which Danny Brough, Scotland's leading man, uncharacteristically failed to find touch.

Two plays later and New Zealand's superstar was flat out, requiring attention. Sonny Bill Williams had been floored by an accidental clash of heads with Adam Walker, an incident which appeared in contrast to a challenge on Peter Wallace just a couple of minutes later. There looked to be considerable intent when the Scot, who has formed a superb play-making partnership with Brough, was driven into the ground by what was essentially a judo throw from Manu Vatuvei.

A knock on, spotted by the replay official, would deny New Zealand an early score and the Scots came close to defying the odds by registering the game's first try when a clever kick by Wallace almost put David Scott in. Vatuvei reacted just in time, though.

Instead the first try came at the other end as a blistering break from Isaac Luke, supported by Kevin Locke, took New Zealand deep into Scottish territory. Memories of Murrayfield in 2010 were sparked as Luke fed Williams, who provided the off-load to give a colleague the easy run in - Bryson Goodwin taking the role played by Hosea Gear three years ago to score.

Undaunted, the Scots responded and powerful running from Danny Addy took him within inches of the New Zealand line, while Brough had the crowd on their feet moments later when he broke clear on halfway and darted 20 metres downfield but could not get his pass to his support.

New Zealand's second try was registered after 15 minutes by Jesse Bromwich and, as has become familiar when these nations meet on a rugby field, it was clear that the margin was going to be as emphatic as first expected. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Frank Pritchard and Shaun Johnson, who was to convert half of New Zealand's tries, all followed, but still the Scots would not lie down and a half chance was created, only for Peter Wallace to throw forward an ambitious attempted double-miss pass to Scott.

The Scots were still attacking courageously and creatively but 10 minutes into the second half a loose kick by Kane Linnett went straight to Tuivasa-Sheck. With all the Scots committed, he beat the first man and raced some 95 metres to the line to allow the world champions to resume the rout.

Vatuvei and Goodwin would both add further tries, although the only full-throated roar of the night came in between, when the Scots created an overlap on the left and the handling was executed clinically to send Alex Hurst over on the left.

In many ways that score was almost symbolic of this whole campaign since the winger, who is currently without a contract, has effectively been playing for his rugby life in this tournament.

Not that any of his team-mates had done anything throughout this competition than fight as if their very existence depended on it. It was to their immense credit that the final hooter blew with play deep in New Zealand territory.