Robinson: Scotland too slack

Published: Sunday, 11. November, 2012 in category Scotland
Andy Robinson: Frustrated after heavy defeat

The Scots took an early lead when Tim Visser scored his first of two tries, but the world champions responded with three converted tries in a 10-minute spell and New Zealand went on to extend their unbeaten run to 18 Tests.

Geoff Cross also bagged a try for the Scots, but a disappointing day was worsened by the news that flanker Ross Rennie suffered a dislocated shoulder.

"If you sit off New Zealand they're a very good attacking team and they will take you apart," said Robinson.

"That was a lesson that we knew before going into this game, that we had to get off the line, that we had to put them under pressure.

"We did in parts, but you've got to do that consistently for the whole 80 minutes. I thought we just dropped off a little bit on our line-speed and allowed them to play too comfortably."

The All Blacks finished with six tries as Julian Savea (two), Israel Dagg, Corey Jane, Andrew Hore and Ben Smith touched down, while the composed Dan Carter kicked 21 points.

Fantastic

Asked about Carter's fine individual display, Robinson said: "When you give a guy like that time and space he'll pull the strings.

"He's a fantastic footballer and rugby player. We had to put him under pressure. When he does break the line the team normally score from it."

The only negative for New Zealand came when Adam Thomson was sin-binned for stamping on Alasdair Strokosch's head, but the Scot insisted there should be no further sanction.

Strokosch said: "I would say the yellow card's fine. I wouldn't take it any further. It wasn't a big deal."

The clash was also played down by New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen, who said: "It looked like he (Thomson) got frustrated because someone was lying over the ball.

"Someone will look at the game and they'll make a decision if what he did was with malicious intent or reckless. I suggest probably reckless and from there it will take its course."

Reflecting on the game, Hansen said: "Our guys at times did some wonderful things and when we played well, we played well and scored good points."