Scotland

One change to All Blacks fifteen

Codie Taylor starts at hooker for the injured Dane Coles, with Nathan Harris going onto the bench.

Loosie Liam Squire comes onto the bench replacing Scott Barrett.

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: "This Test against Scotland will be an opportunity for this group of players to take on the challenge of raising the bar on the performance which was set down by their teammates on Tuesday (against the French Selection).

Kidwell pleased with Kiwis win

Having drawn last year's Four Nations clash with the Bravehearts, David Kidwell's troops hit the ground running in Christchurch and were near-untouchable.

They ran in 14 tries to one, with Peta Hiku and Te Maire Martin scoring hat-tricks.

Barras to play Scotland in lead-up to fixtures

This will be a lead-up to the round seven ICC Intercontinental Cup and World Cricket World Cricket League Championship fixtures.

The Barras will take on the Scots on November 24 and 25 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Following this, the Barras play Hong Kong at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, in the four-day ICUP match from November 29-December 2.

The current ICC ICUP standings:

TEAMS

Taumalolo runs riot in big Tonga win

The team that was the talk of the World Cup prior to the tournament kicked off due to the high-profile inclusions of Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita wasted no time to show that what is on paper will transfer to the field, Michael Jennings scoring the opening four-pointer of his first half hat-trick inside the first three minutes.

Scotland's World Cup dream over

Leigh Griffiths had Scottish fans dreaming at half-time after his volley from a narrow angle fired in off the post (32) but substitute Roman Bezjak turned the game on its head with two goals (52, 72) as Slovenia grew stronger in the second half.

Robert Snodgrass' late equaliser (88) set up a tense finale, but Scotland could not find the all-important winner despite coming close twice in the dying minutes and seeing Bostjan Cesar sent off for the hosts (90+2).

The draw left Scotland on 18 points, with Slovakia finishing ahead of them on goal difference.

Barras bounce back to beat Scots

A much improved bowling attack reduced the Scots to 203 inside 49 overs. Norman Vanua (2/36), John Reva (2/35) and Mahuru Dai (2/19) did most of the work with the ball.

In their run chase, openers Vani Vagi Morea (18) and Tony Ura (25) made a strong start putting on 44 runs for the first wicket.

Captain Assad Vala continued where they left off, adding on another 49 runs. Vala’s dismissal left the Barras at 5/130, with the game in the balance.

But it was Dai (63*) and Dogodo Bau (14*) who guided the Barras home to victory with 12 balls to spare.

 

Barras captain still positive despite loss

“I was very happy with the performance of our bowlers and fielders today and to restrict a quality opposition to 278 after the start they had. The bowlers were exceptional, especially the death bowling from Alei Nao and Norman Vanu,” said Vala.

The Scots ripped through the top order and won the match inside 43 overs.

“To be bowled out for 177 on a good wicket was very disappointing. We gave away soft dismissals, we didn’t get any partnerships going and overall we were very disappointed from our batting group.

Barras lose by 101 runs

The Scots batted first, setting a target of 279 for the home side to chase down for victory.

Calum MacLeod was the star with the bat smashing his 154 runs off 163 balls. His knock included 15 boundaries and 3 sixes.

Other contributions came from Richie Berrington (54) and captain Kyle Coetzer (46).

Alei Nao (3/40) and Norman Vanua (3/57) were the Barras’ best with the ball.

A batting collapse in the top order left the Barras reeling at 5-85 after 20.3 overs.

Barras and Scots draw

Starting the day at 9/482, Scotlands’ Mark Watt (81*) and Chris Sole (21) managed to take the score beyond 500 runs before Barras’ debutant, Damien Ravu picked up his maiden wicket trapping Sole lbw when the score reached 514.  

Trailing by 110, the Barras got off to a shaky start when opener Vani Vagi Morea (13) was dismissed by Alasdair Evans.

Lega Siaka (83) and Tony Ura (75) batted brilliantly to post a century partnership for the second wicket to take any realistic chance of Scotland taking outright points.

Scotland leading Barras on day 3

Richie Berrington did the damage, punishing the Hebou PNG Barramundis’ bowlers for his 129 runs, which included fifteen boundaries.

Berrington was eventually dismissed by Barras’ captain Assad Vala.

The tail-enders then went to work. Safyaan Sharif, the star with the ball for Scotland, made a valuable 25 runs while Mark Watt (61*) and Chris Sole (14*) were able to take Scotland to 9/482 at stumps to put Scotland ahead in the match.