Ashman Hat-Trick Lifts Scotland Against New Zealand
New Zealand beat Scotland 43-21 in a Nations Championship match, with Ewan Ashman scoring three tries for the home side.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Other Sports
New Zealand defeated Scotland 43-21 in a Nations Championship match. Ewan Ashman scored a hat-trick for Scotland, becoming the fifth player to score three tries against New Zealand.
Why it matters
Scotland has not beaten New Zealand in 34 meetings since 1905, and the result leaves the second-ranked side still unbeaten by Scotland in that span. The match also marked Scotland's first game in almost four months.
Scotland scored no points in the second half after trailing 24-21 at halftime, and Ashman's third try came from a lineout maul in the 37th minute while Scotland had the extra man. Both Lakai (23rd minute) and Tuipulotu (51st minute) were sin-binned during the match.
The players
Ewan Ashman
Scottish winger who scored a hat-trick against New Zealand, becoming the fifth player to do so.
Ethan de Groot
New Zealand prop who scored a try by driving through three Scottish defenders.
The details
Ashman scored Scotland's first try from a lineout, and Ethan de Groot bulldozed through three Scottish defenders for New Zealand's second try. Ashman completed his hat-trick with a lineout maul in the 37th minute, while Scotland held a numerical advantage.
Timeline
Ally Donaldson died in September 2026.
Logan Cadwallader died in Edinburgh the weekend before the match.
Scotland last played Fiji almost four months before this match.
The match was played on November 7, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Scotland's defeat extends a winless streak against New Zealand that dates to 1905, now spanning 34 meetings. The result places the match within New Zealand's broader run of 10 games since Scotland last played, including a four-game series against South Africa.
Scotland's result against New Zealand is a single fixture in the Nations Championship, and the margin and sin-bin decisions shape how the teams are measured against each other. Readers following the tournament can track how Scotland's record against New Zealand develops in later matches.
The takeaway
Scotland's ability to score three tries in the first half showed attacking potential, but a scoreless second half highlights the need for sustained pressure against top sides. The result is a reminder that consistency across a full match remains the key challenge against the top-ranked teams.
Further reading
For more coverage of international competition, see Other Sports.
