🔗 Share this article

"Victory was there. We are aware victory was there."

Head coach Gregor Townsend expressed satisfaction in the Scottish display versus New Zealand but felt deflated by a seventeen to twenty-five defeat at their home ground.

Scotland were behind 17-0 at the half, only to storm back and tie the score on the hour.

Nonetheless, the All Blacks, who had multiple members placed in the sin bin, struck late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the opportunity of a first victory in this fixture.

"I feel let down primarily, because the hard work that went into that latter period showing was pure determination," Townsend remarked.

"It was crucial to kick on when it got to 17-17 and there were a couple of key instances that went New Zealand's way.

"Exceptional second period, we showed who we are today and we probably revealed our identity by failing to secure the win as well.

"Progress is evident in this team and we have to win those big moments when the match is there for us.

"Aspects of that performance show we are up there with the best teams in the world. We just need to make that following advance."

Key Moments of the Match

• Tries from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn hauled Scotland back into an gripping contest.
• Darcy Graham and Rory Hutchinson had been stopped over the line in the first half when Cameron Roigard and Will Jordan scored for the opponents.

"Teams get tired when you apply pressure," said Townsend, who has now lost three home Tests against the All Blacks as manager - all by single digit margins.

"I would like to be facing New Zealand again soon. We meet Argentina and we need to apply what we have learned.

"This is the initial occasion this squad has been united since the Six Nations. To get that cohesion straight away is challenging and to see it develop during the game is encouraging.

"However it's so disheartening with that effort that we failed to achieve a win.

"It represents the nearest we've been to winning, I believe. We dominated the second half, territory, intensity, skill. We've not done that against New Zealand in our past and we are improved for the experience.

"Our journey continues today. We have a very big game coming up and bigger games to come in the championship."

Captain's Reaction

Scotland leader Sione Tuipulotu described the loss as "bittersweet" and stressed the importance of a victory against Argentina, having opened the autumn series with a historic result against the United States.

"I told the boys we required a response at the break," he said. "We could we lie down or choose to go for it.

"There was no downside and everything to gain.

"We have to recover for the upcoming match because Argentina will not make it any easier."