Given the snow that fell in the lead up to the Wallabies match against Scotland, the visitors must have been delighted to find conditions to their favour at Murrayfield.

That they failed to take full toll – falling 27-13 to a Scotland side that got better as the match progressed – is a disappointing, but not terminal setback for Joe Schmidt’s side.

Things started brightly enough, albeit the Wallabies fast recycle game bent rather than busted the Scotland defensive line. In retrospect, one Noah Lolesio penalty goal was insufficient return for the early territorial advantage.

When that balance eventually swung, Sione Tuipulotu got on the end of a long lineout throw, and disappointing misses by Andrew Kellaway and Len Ikitau saw him score rather too easily.

For the rest of the first half, the home side dominated possession and territory, but working in Australia’s favour, Scotland can often be one of those sides who look worse, the more ball they have. I doubt 7-3 at half-time would have pleased either coach.

Particularly galling throughout the match was the insistence of both teams to spurn easy shots for goal and kick for the corner, before failing to execute at the lineout. Indeed, Scotland even managed to turn one attacking 5m lineout into a gilt-edged opportunity for the Wallabies, ruined only by Tate McDermott’s inexplicably poor decision and execution on a cross-field kick, when he had runners with momentum on his right-hand side, with little between them and the try-line.

Len Ikitau of Australia looks dejected after defeat to Scotland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

This was a crucial moment; a gilt-edged chance to restore matters to 17-13, with 17 minutes to play, frittered away.

Instead, just three minutes later, Darcy Graham wriggled through the defensive line, and despite appearing to be well covered, John Bayliss crashed over. By now, Scotland had re-aligned their attack towards the middle rather than the edge, and the Wallabies were done for; notwithstanding Harry Potter’s excellent ball control in the process of scoring a try on debut.

So, this was Tuipulotu’s day; demonstrably a more consistent and settled player than he was in his emerging years with the Melbourne Rebels. Some of that can be put down to lack of opportunity, but before Australian rugby beats itself up too badly, it is also true that some players mature later than others, particularly after they finally leave their home environment.

Sione Tuipulotu celebrates after scoring a first-half try. (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)

It was Jamie Ritchie’s day as well; the returning Scottish flanker into absolutely everything as the home pack matched everything the Wallabies threw at them, and then some. Coach Gregor Townsend will also be delighted with the work rate of his starting props, Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson.

Scotland still lack the clinical edge and polish of international rugby’s better sides, but they are a very hard nut to crack, particularly when their defence is operating as efficiently as it was here.

The powerful carries from Rob Valetini and Angus Bell, prominent in the earlier matches, simply weren’t allowed to be a factor here. And without front foot ball to speak of, the Wallabies backline was equally ineffective.

They get the chance to remedy that next week, albeit without Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, if his wrist injury is as bad as first feared. But they will also have to contend with an improving Ireland; too efficient for Fiji, winning by 52-17.

Before we move on, a word for TMO Ben Whitehouse who interjected himself into the match after a collision between Tom Wright and Scotland halfback Ben White, which referee Chris Busby, right on the spot, correctly ruled as ‘play on’.

Insisting that Busby stop the match and review the incident, Whitehouse then proceeded to talk himself around to the view that Wright had not changed his position to impede White unfairly. If it wasn’t clear and obvious, then why get involved in the first place?

Is it any surprise that what rugby fans want for Xmas is rugby TMO’s to find reasons to not involve themselves in the game, rather than seek reasons to justify their pay, by getting involved when they’re not needed?

In what was already a non-vintage year, the first 20 minutes of the match in Turin was comfortably New Zealand’s worst quarter of the season. The remaining 60 minutes weren’t a lot better, the All Blacks eventually stuttering to a 29-11 win.

Take your pick from hesitant, indirect, inaccurate and – as is so often their way these days – ill-disciplined. Throw in also, a bunch of gun-shy players having yet to figure out how to navigate the new ‘free passage’ requirement for kick chasers.

None of that is intended to detract from what was an energetic and well-organised Italian defensive effort, but with both sides struggling to maintain any continuity with the ball, this is not a match that will sustain repeated viewing.

Halfback Cam Roigard knew as much. Offered an opportunity to keep playing as halftime ticked over – something New Zealand sides almost always do – he opted to meekly toe the ball over the sideline and head inside to face the music.

Beauden Barrett was another to illustrate just how much the All Blacks were off their game, using a 55m free kick in the attacking half to lob the ball straight to an uncontested catch in the Italian 22. File under bad idea, poorly executed.

At least Barrett got to end the match with a nostalgia play, taking advantage of one of the few moments of broken play to cheekily run in a trademark try.

Other highlights were few; Caleb Clarke twice leaping to capture a restart on the fly, Will Jordan keeping his prolific try scoring run going, and Wallace Sititi one of the few players willing to roll up his sleeves and make the hard yards.

Sam Cane of New Zealand acknowledges the fans after making his final appearance for the All Blacks. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Also impressive was the All Blacks’ scrum although this sent referee Pierre Brousset down a murky rabbit hole, putting Italy on a warning and asking Italy’s captain Juan Ignacio Brex to have a word to his prop Simone Ferrari about their retreating scrum.

What exactly was he supposed to say to him? “Mate, the ref wants you to push harder?” Inevitably, the next scrum went backwards and Brousset flashed a yellow card at Ferrari, apparently ‘fixing’ the situation by making Italy’s scrum even weaker than it already was.

This aspect of the game has long been a point of contention. Everyone understands why cards are shown for foul play and cynical infringements. But it’s hard to see how the game is made better or fairer by issuing cards for a s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s or performance deficit which, in the process, makes it even harder for the losing side to remain competitive.

Not that it made a lot of difference, the skittery mood the All Blacks were in and the intent of the Italians to muscle up on defence. After shelling 14 tries to the All Blacks in their most recent outing, at last year’s World Cup, just 4 here represents an impressive step forward.

New Zealand got to farewell two of their most highly respected warriors, so the day wasn’t totally wasted. Sam Cane (104 Test caps) and TJ Perenara (89 Test caps as a player, as many again as referee) leave different legacies, but both can reflect on their careers with great pride.

History will judge coach Scott Robertson on what he achieves over this whole four-year World Cup cycle (and potentially beyond), not this year in isolation. Despite good wins on this tour against England and Ireland, even if the jury remains out for now, Robertson is unlikely to be afforded similar leniency next year.

Yes, there are players emerging who look well up to the rigours of Test football. Importantly, a number of them are in the front row. But what Robertson and his side needs to capture more than anything over the next year is a distinctive shape and identity.

Elsewhere, South Africa predictably dealt to Wales by 45-12, triggering just as predictable calls for Warren Gatland’s resignation. I’m not sure how this result puts Gatland into any different territory he wasn’t in last week, but that’s what happens when fans and media become sick of losing. Deep-rooted reasons why, don’t matter.

It may only be a small thing but with a view to Super Rugby’s start date of February 14th, New Zealand’s international players are now a week ahead of their Australian counterparts.

Players have entered a designated rest period – some might say the All Blacks actually clocked off before this weekend – but with Super Rugby squads heavily into their pre-season work, all coaches will be keen to get their best men back on deck as soon as possible.

One of the insights gained from my time with the Melbourne Rebels last season was that round one comes around very quickly; even more so when there are pre-season matches to factor in, and key players are carrying over niggling injuries, and conditioning loads need to be very carefully managed.

Squad players have been kept active and, in some cases, will benefit from recent overseas tours. But it is the effective blending in of the leading players that will separate the top teams from the also rans, once things get down to business.

Which teams manage that the best in the first half of the competition, will go a long way to shaping the final ladder – particularly given the fewer number of finals spots up for grabs in 2025.

Speaking of which, my latest book, ‘A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels’ has now been out for four weeks, and feedback from readers has been overwhelmingly positive. Rather than take my word for it, here are some examples;

“There are few books that I have read that have had such an impact on me.”

“The author brings you into the boardroom and changerooms, and it’s fascinating to see people continue to perform under such pressure and uncertainty.”

“I also wanted to commend your incredibly humane approach when revealing unexpected details of the behind-the-scenes staff and players.”

Looking to treat yourself with an early Xmas present? The book is available now in paperback and e-book from The Nile, Amazon, Kobo, Booktopia, Waterstones and others.