SCOTLAND suffered a crushing defeat in their opening match of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship after losing by a demoralising margin to the four-times previous winners, New Zealand, last night at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma.
The magnitude of the win was simply a reflection of New Zealand's massive strength in depth and the high level at which many of their squad operate, several of the Junior All Blacks having experienced Super 15 rugby.
Yet in the opening quarter Scotland competed well and actually led 10-3 after sixteen minutes of play with a try by Melrose lock Lewis Carmichael from a line-out drive and the conversion by stand-off Rory Hutchinson who had earlier kicked a penalty goal.
But New Zealand with a penalty goal by stand-off Mitchell Hunt found their form to run in tries by full back George Bridge and winger Tivita Li both scores coming initially from poor Scottish kicks. Both scores were converted by Hunt who than added the extras to a try by flanker Akira Ioane for a 27-10 interval lead.
After the break Li made the running for a try by number 8 Blake Gibson converted again by Hunt . Then when Scotland were reduced to fourteen men after Archie Russell was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle back row Mitchell Karpik added to the New Zealand tally, Hunt supplying the extras.
With the New Zealand engine at optimum temperature, the Junior All Blacks added tries by centre Jack Goodhue, replacement back row Geoff Cridge, Hunt and centre TJ Faiane with Hunt's boot accounting for the remainder of the points.
Scotland now have four days to recover from a demoralising start to their campaign before facing Ireland who came from behind to defeat Argentina 18-16.
Scotland Under-20 R Howarth; R Galloway, A Russell, T Galbraith), A Coombes; R Hutchinson, B Vellacot; D Elkington, S James), C Sheldon, S Cummings, L Carmichael, L Wynne, J Ritchie captain, A Miller Replacements used : R Graham, M McCalllum, Z Fagerson, N Irvine-Hess, M Bradbury, G Horne, B Kinghorn
Scorers New Zealand Tries Bridge, Li, Ioane, Gibson, Karpik, Goodhue, Cridge, Hunt, Faiane Cons Hunt (7) Pens Hunt (3)
Scotland Tries Carmichael Cons Hutchinson Pens Hutchinson
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