🔗 Share this article

"The win was there. We are aware victory was within reach."

Head coach Gregor Townsend voiced pride in the Scottish performance against New Zealand but was deflated by a seventeen to twenty-five loss at Murrayfield.

The hosts were behind seventeen to nil at the interval, only to storm back and draw level on the hour.

However, the All Blacks, who had three players sent to the sin bin, scored late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the chance of a historic win in this fixture.

"I feel let down first of all, because the effort that went into that second half performance was pure determination," Townsend stated.

"We needed 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 half, we demonstrated who we are today and we likely 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 game show we are competitive with the top sides in the world. We just need to make that next step."

Crucial Events of the Match

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

"Opponents get tired when you apply pressure," said Townsend, who has now been defeated in multiple home Tests against the All Blacks as manager - all by single digit margins.

"I'd love to be playing New Zealand again soon. We meet Argentina and we must apply what we have learned.

"It marks the initial occasion this team has played together since the Six Nations. To get that unity straight away is difficult and to see it grow during the game is encouraging.

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

"It represents the nearest we've been to victory, I think. We controlled the later stages, territory, intensity, skill. We've not achieved that against New Zealand in our history and we are better for the encounter.

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

Skipper's Reaction

Scottish captain Sione Tuipulotu labeled the loss as "mixed feelings" and emphasized the significance of a win against Argentina, having opened the autumn series with a historic result against the United States.

"I told the boys we required a response at half time," he said. "We could surrender or decide to go for it.

"We had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"We have to bounce back for the upcoming match because Argentina will not make it simpler."