Scotland 3 - 49 New Zealand: All Blacks far too strong for Scots

Seeking a first win at the 28th attempt, Dan Parks kicked Scotland into a third-minute lead, but the Sonny Bill Williams-inspired tourists replied with four first-half tries and their defence remained impenetrable.

Hosea Gear (two), Dan Carter and Mils Muliaina - like captain Richie McCaw playing in his record 92nd Test - crossed for tries in the first 40 minutes.

Carter added five conversions and the fly-half's 15-point haul before he was replaced after 51 minutes saw him edge to within 20 of Jonny Wilkinson's international points record.

Muliaina added his second of the game early in the second period, with Conrad Smith and Andy Ellis also going over, while substitute Stephen Donald kicked two conversions.

Graham Henry's side are now halfway through their Home Nations tour as they seek a third Grand Slam in five years, following the successes in 2005 and 2008, and meet Ireland in Dublin next weekend.

Scotland's misery was compounded by a first-half injury to Mike Blair, adding to problems at scrum-half, with Rory Lawson and Chris Cusiter already missing through injury, and a worrying late blow to Max Evans, whose brother Thom suffered a career-ending neck break in Cardiff in September.

Blair had come in as captain for his first start under head coach Andy Robinson as Scotland made five changes from the XV which began their last Test, the series clinching victory over Argentina on June 19.

McCaw and full-back Muliaina equalled Sean Fitzpatrick's All Blacks record with their 92nd appearances, as Henry made five changes, with the fifth confirmed yesterday.

Uncapped Hikawera Elliot was named at hooker, after 82-Test veteran Keven Mealamu's ban for headbutting during last week's Test with England was halved to two weeks on appeal yesterday.

Scotland's surging confidence following victory over Australia 12 months ago and a four-match unbeaten run which included a win over Ireland in Dublin and two victories in Argentina was soon broken by the world's number one team.

After a third-minute Parks penalty put the hosts in front, New Zealand countered Scotland's attacking endeavour, only adding an end product.

Three tries in nine minutes gave the visitors a near unassailable 18-point lead.

A scrum wide on the left was awarded to New Zealand and Williams crashed through, his backhand pass weighted perfectly for Gear to go in under the posts. Carter converted.

Two minutes later Toeava raced down the right and found Carter in support on the inside to race under the posts. The fly-half added the extras to make it 14-3.

Hugo Southwell twice had breaks ended before Kieran Reid inspired another All Blacks score. Carter was in support of the number eight and the fly-half in turn found Muliaina to score their third try.

A Parks penalty pushed Scotland deep into the All Blacks 22, but, although hooker Ross Ford salvaged his own poor throw, again the visitors' defence held firm.

Scotland conceded a penalty and territory and the All Blacks were ruthless once more.

Gear sold Rory Lamont a dummy before scything through for his second try of the contest. Carter converted.

Parks appeared to suffer a left knee problem, but Scotland's woes deepened when Blair was taken from the field with an apparent shoulder problem.

Greig Laidlaw, nephew of former Scotland and British and Irish Lions number nine Roy Laidlaw, came on for his debut.

Robinson replaced Rory Lamont with Nikki Walker and Jim Hamilton with Nathan Hines at half-time.

A patient New Zealand absorbed the Scotland defence before utilising the overlap as Muliaina went over for his second score on the touchline, again from a Williams flip pass.

Carter added the extras for his fifth conversion from five attempts and, 10 minutes into the second half, the All Blacks were 32 points ahead and the fly-half was replaced by Donald. Ross Rennie was among the numerous substitutions, coming on for his second cap after two years of knee trouble.

After 17 scoreless minutes, Smith went over after the visitors had twice stretched Scotland the width of the field.

Parks went off and debutant Ruaridh Jackson came on for the final 12 minutes - but Scotland conceded again when Ellis went in under the posts. Donald converted.

Ellis' 78th-minute score was the final action of the game as Evans - injured in the build-up to the try - required a stretcher to take him off the field, reviving memories of the career-ending injury suffered by his brother Thom.