Scotland player ratings vs Samoa | July Internationals 2025

Following their defeat to Fiji last week, Scotland needed to secure a result in Auckland, and they did so in emphatic fashion, winning 41-12 at Eden Park.

Scotland ran in seven tries in a clinical attacking performance. And in defence, they were much more disciplined, conceding just eight penalties, having coughed up 14 the previous week.

It has edged them closer to the top six in the world rankings and a more favourable RWC 2027 draw. However, there is still plenty of ground to make up in the Autumn Nations Series when they’ll take on USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga at Murrayfield on consecutive weekends in November.

Here’s how we rated the Scotland players:

15. Kyle Rowe – 8
Made plenty of metres running the ball back and came up with a try and an assist. The try needed some scoring, too, the full-back expertly diving over in the corner from a standing start after receiving a brilliant offload from Burke. Also, put in a huge hit on his opposite number in the first half that the Samoans would have been proud to call their own.

14. Kyle Steyn (vice-capt.) – 7
Just the 40 minutes for Steyn, who showed good pace to dot down in the 35th minute, but possibly should have scored long before that after making hard work of a chance out wide on the right. Lost his footing in defence, which almost led to a costly five-pointer being conceded in the first half.

13. Rory Hutchinson – 7
Executed a 50/22 and linked well with McDowall in a Scotland backline that was purring at times. Got plenty of touches and made good use of the possession.

12. Stafford McDowall – 9
Made so many telling tackles, either chopping down opponents or holding them up in the tackle, and also put in some deft touches with his boot and with ball in hand in one of his most accomplished displays in a Scotland jersey. Was alert to the fact there was no one behind in the defensive line, when receiving the ball inside the Samoa 22, and put in a well-weighted grubber, which his centre partner Hutchinspon latched on to for Scotland’s second try.

11. Arron Reed – 8
A pocket-rocket in the Darcy Graham mould who delivered another electric performance, capped by a good take in the wide channel, whilst running at full pace, for his try. Always looked for work and broke the defensive line more than any other player.

10. Fergus Burke – 8
Orchestrator-in-chief of Scotland’s high-tempo game. Held his depth well to draw in defenders and also made some nice breaks and offloads himself, notably a one-two with Arron Reed, which almost led to him scoring in the left-hand corner. Only blot was his goal-kicking, with just one of four tries converted in the first half, although none were gimmes. Even so, he was relieved of the kicking duties shortly before leaving the field with an HIA.

9. Jamie Dobie – 8
Always alive to blindside break opportunities and was a constant threat to the Samoan defence. Threw a huge loop pass to put Reed away for his try and came close to scoring himself when he burst clear down the short side and kicked ahead only for Jacob Umnaga to get across and cover. Also came up with a 50/22, but if we’re being harsh, some of his clearance/box kicks weren’t quite as on-point as he’d have liked. Switched to wing at half-time and cramped up near the end after covering so much ground.

1. Rory Sutherland – 7
Guilty of conceding Scotland’s only penalty in the first half in a much-improved team display in terms of discipline, when he got on the wrong side of a breakdown. Otherwise, the Lions-bound loosehead did his job very well, turning the screw on Samoa at scrum time.

2. Ewan Ashman – 8
Typical non-stop performance from the hooker who was again faultless at lineout time before being replaced at half-time. Fittingly, he scored the game’s opening try from the back of a rolling maul.

3. Elliot Millar Mills – 7
Cornerstone of a dominant scrum and got his tackle count into double figures before departing.

4. Gregor Brown – 7
Solid at the restart and in the lineout, and also won two turnovers. A good all-round display.

5. Grant Gilchrist (vice capt.) – 8
Such a workhouse. Gilchrist claimed loads of lineout ball, carried well and tackled everything that moved. Got low in contact to pile through and score at the start of the second half.

6. Andy Onyeama-Christie – 7
After a relatively quiet first 40, the Saracens player became much more prominent as a carrier and link player in the second half. His athleticism was evident in the lineout, too, with the flanker coming out top with eight catches.

7. Rory Darge (capt.) – 6
A no-frills performance from the Scotland skipper, who worked hard and was disciplined at the breakdown, but it was a night for others to shine.

8. Matt Fagerson – 6
The game’s top tackler with 22 but was also guilty of slipping off six tackles, the most of any player on the pitch. Not his most imposing performance as a carrier.

Player Line Breaks

1

Kyle Rowe

3

2

Arron Reed

3

3

Duncan Paia'aua

2

Replacements 

16. George Turner – 7
Came on at half-time and maintained Scotland’s 100% lineout record.  Scored from the back of a rolling maul with four minutes to go.

17. Nathan McBeth – 6
Gave three penalties away in the 40 minutes he was on the pitch. Scrum wasn’t as dominant in the second half, but was steady enough, and he carried hard.

18. Fin Richardson – 6.5
Came on for his Test debut with 25 minutes to go. Mopped up scraps of possession on the floor and put himself about.

19. Cameron Henderson – 6
Made seven tackles in 25 minutes, but also missed a couple.

20. Marshall Sykes – N/A
Only had a few minutes to show what he can do.

21. Ben Muncaster – 6
Introduced with 25 minutes to go, but was unable to make much of an impression, good or bad.

22. George Horne – 6.5
Half-time sub. Gifted Samoa their first try by throwing a blind pass straight into the arms of Benjamin Nee-Nee five metres out. Otherwise, he looked lively. Kicked one conversion and hit the post with another.

23. Adam Hastings – 6.5
Got in a bit of a muddle defensively for Samoa’s second try, but was always looking to be inventive in attack. Some things worked, some didn’t.