Scotland had to rely on all their international experience to edge the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei, despite a late charge from the hosts.

The Scots claimed a narrow 29 – 26 win to start their Pacific tour on the right note.

The hosts made a dream start, striking inside 40 seconds through scrumhalf Sam Nock after a slick break down the left and a smart offload from Bailyn Sullivan.

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But Scotland responded strongly. Harry Paterson levelled the scores with a sliding finish in the corner, before George Horne pounced on a loose ball to grab a second as the visitors punished a Maori handling error.

Isaia Walker-Leawere powered over for the hosts following sustained pressure, while Scottish debutant Alexander Masibaka was shown a yellow card shortly after coming on. Still, the 14-man visitors struck again before the break, as Arron Reed finished a well-placed grubber for a 19-12 half-time lead.

Horne grabbed his second try early in the second half, capping a flowing team move as the Scots capitalised on two yellow cards against the Maori side.

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With the match slipping away, the hosts hit back through skipper Kurt Eklund from a maul, before Gideon Wrampling bulldozed over to close the gap to three points with 14 minutes to play.

But Scotland held on amid a raucous atmosphere, bagpipes echoing across the ground, to seal a confidence-boosting win.

Photo: Dave Rowland/Getty Images