All Blacks nail Grand Slam

Today's test is expected to be Tana Umaga's last. Ross Land / Getty Images

EDINBURGH - It wasn't pretty but the All Blacks still had too much class for Scotland, winning 29-10 today to complete just their second rugby Grand Slam in 100 years of trying.

In their most unconvincing performance of the tour, the All Blacks scored three first half tries to lead 22-3 at the break but couldn't score a fourth until six minutes from the end.

Wing Rico Gear scored two tries to go with his hat-trick against Wales, while Scotland -- still chasing their first win over the All Blacks -- got a consolation try one minute before fulltime to replacement Simon Webster.

While the largely second string All Blacks made plenty of handling errors, their defence was again almost unbreakable until Webster's try from a grubber kick.

The tourists conceded just three tries in five hours and 20 minutes of rugby on tour as they repeated the feat of Graham Mourie's 1978 side.

Amid unconfirmed reports it would be captain Tana Umaga's farewell test, the All Blacks signalled their intentions from the start with Nick Evans setting the backline alight, Joe Rokocoko bursting down the left touch but then dropping an in-pass from Umaga.

Some handling errors on attack by the visitors kept a spirited Scotland team in the game, along with a rash of penalties from Welsh referee Nigel Whitehouse.

After an early Chris Paterson penalty, the All Blacks hit the lead in the eighth minute when a huge scrum saw Piri Weepu run blind and grubber through for Gear to score.

Scotland had a royal chance to score soon after when there was confusion between Gear and debutante Isaia Toeava at the back, Scotland won the lineout and drove over the line but the ball was held up.

It was all New Zealand for the rest of the half -- Evans strolling over under the posts in the 18th minute after several phases of sustained pressure, then setting up a great try seven minutes before the break.

The Otago pivot burst through from a ruck 10m from his own line, flanker Angus Macdonald handled twice; Evans cross-kicked to Toeava, lock James Ryan juggled then slapped the ball back to Sione Lauaki who plunged over.

The second half was again punctuated by handling errors and Scotland had chances to score but the All Blacks forwards, with Chris Jack and Macdonald prominent figures, held firm against several lineout drives.

Coach Graham Henry cleared his bench midway through the second half, and things finally clicked when Ma'a Nonu sparked a raid, lock Jason Eaton ran 15m and sent an in-pass to Gear to make the game safe.

In what could have been his farewell test, Umaga again made some uncharacteristic handling errors but defended strongly.

His team hugged each other in relief at the end and Umaga was presented with a plaque by Scotland Rugby Union boss Andy Irvine to commemorate 100 years of rivalry between the sides.

Scores:-

New Zealand 29 (Rico Gear 2, Nick Evans, Sione Lauaki tries; Evans pen, 2 con, Leon MacDonald con)

Scotland 10 (Simon Webster try; Chris Paterson pen, con).

Halftime: 22-3.

- NZPA