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"Victory could have been ours. We are aware victory was there."

Head coach Gregor Townsend expressed pride in the Scottish performance versus New Zealand but was deflated by a seventeen to twenty-five loss at their home ground.

The hosts trailed 17-0 at the interval, only to storm back and tie the score on the hour.

Nonetheless, the All Blacks, who had three players sent to the penalty box, scored late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the chance of a first victory in this match-up.

"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 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 likely showed who we are by failing to secure the win as well.

"There's growth in this team and we must win those big moments when the game is there for us.

"Elements of that game show we are competitive with the best teams in the world. We just need to make that following advance."

Crucial Events of the Game

• Scores from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn hauled Scotland back into an absorbing contest.
• Darcy Graham and Rory Hutchinson had been stopped over the line in the opening period when Cameron Roigard and Will Jordan notched points for the visitors.

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

"I would like to be playing New Zealand again next week. We play Argentina and we must apply what we have learned.

"This is the first time this team has played together since the Six Nations. To get that unity straight away is challenging and to see it develop during the game is positive.

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

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

"The team's path continues today. We have a crucial game next week and more important games to come in the championship."

Captain's Response

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu described the defeat as "bittersweet" and emphasized the significance of a victory against Argentina, having started the autumn series with a historic result against the United States.

"I told the boys we required a reaction at half time," he said. "We could we lie down or decide to fight back.

"There was no downside and everything to gain.

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