🔗 Share this article

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

Manager Gregor Townsend voiced satisfaction in Scotland's display against New Zealand but was deflated by a seventeen to twenty-five defeat at Murrayfield.

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

However, the New Zealand team, who had three players placed in the sin bin, scored late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the chance of a first victory in this fixture.

"I feel let down first of all, because the hard work that went into that latter period performance was pure determination," Townsend remarked.

"We needed to push forward when it got to seventeen all and there were a couple of big moments that went New Zealand's way.

"Outstanding second half, we showed who we are today and we probably showed who we are 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.

"Elements of that game indicate we are up there with the best teams in the world. We just must make that following advance."

Crucial Events of the Game

• Scores from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn brought Scotland back into an gripping battle.
• Darcy Graham and Rory Hutchinson had been held up over the line in the opening period when Cameron Roigard and Will Jordan notched points for the opponents.

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

"I'd love to be facing New Zealand again soon. We play Argentina and we must put in what we have gained.

"It marks the first time this squad has been united since the Six Nations. To get that cohesion straight away is challenging and to see it grow during the game is encouraging.

"However it's so disheartening with that performance that we didn't get a win.

"It's the closest we've been to winning, I believe. We controlled the second half, field position, pressure, ability. We've not done that against New Zealand in our history and we are better for the experience.

"The team's path continues today. We have a very big game coming up and bigger games to come in the Six Nations."

Skipper's Reaction

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu labeled the loss as "bittersweet" and stressed the importance of a win against Argentina, having opened the fall matches with a historic result against the United States.

"I told the boys we required a response at the break," he said. "We could surrender or choose to fight back.

"We had no downside and everything to gain.

"It is essential we bounce back for next week because Argentina aren't going to make it simpler."