WELLINGTON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand shearers are looking to restore the country's reputation as the top competition shearing nation.

 

As a six-match Britain and France tour started in Scotland on Saturday, the Kiwi team of New Zealand Shears Open champion and North Island farmer David Buick and New Zealand Shears Circuit winner Jack Fagan opened the tour against Scotland at the Lochearnhead Shears.

 

It will be a tough start, up against experienced Scottish internationals, Shearing Sports New Zealand said in a statement, adding in annual visits to Scotland, New Zealand has not won at the Lochearnhead Shears since 2016.

 

Buick and Fagan are looking forward to the challenge against the Scottish.

 

The Scottish events used to be dominated over the years by New Zealand which in Masterton, about 100km to the capital Wellington, in 2026 will be trying to reclaim titles it last won in Invercargill of the South Island in 2017.