All Blacks still without a real test as Hadden defends side

SCOTLAND coach Frank Hadden insists his side’s schedule in Pool C of the World Cup forced him to field a weakened team against tournament favourites New Zealand at Murrayfield yesterday.

Hadden made 13 changes from the side which defeated Romania on Tuesday, leaving out most of his key players in order to keep them fresh for the crucial quarter-final decider with Italy in St Etienne on Saturday.

His scratch side, including new caps John Barclay and Alasdair Dickinson, frustrated the All Blacks for an hour before New Zealand crossed for three tries in 20 minutes — but as an exercise in damage limitation it was reasonably successful as their opponents claimed a 40-0 victory.