Scotland's All Blacks curse deepens after second-half collapse

EDINBURGH — Scotland's hopes of breaking their long-standing curse against New Zealand evaporated in the second half of Saturday's Nations Championship encounter, as the All Blacks mounted a commanding comeback to secure victory at Murrayfield.

The home side's prospects looked promising at the interval, trailing by just three points in what proved to be a tightly contested first half. However, the Scottish defence crumbled after the restart, allowing their opponents to impose their dominance and pull clear in decisive fashion.

The result represents another painful chapter in Scotland's history against New Zealand, with the All Blacks continuing to prove unconquerable opponents for the Six Nations side. Despite starting the match as genuine contenders, Scotland's inability to maintain their intensity throughout the full 80 minutes proved costly.

The defeat will prompt soul-searching among the Scottish camp as they reflect on what might have been had they sustained their first-half discipline and intensity. The All Blacks' second-half performance underscored why they remain among rugby's elite, exploiting opportunities that emerged once the Scottish challenge faded.