The Scottish Team Must Make the Following Move After All Blacks Heartbreak - Townsend

"Victory could have been ours. We know the win was there."

Head coach Gregor Townsend voiced pride in the Scottish display versus New Zealand but was disappointed by a seventeen to twenty-five defeat at their home ground.

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

Nonetheless, the All Blacks, who had multiple members sent to the penalty box, struck late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the chance of a first victory in this fixture.

"I'm really disappointed primarily, because the hard work that went into that latter period performance was all character," Townsend remarked.

"We needed to push forward when it got to seventeen all and there were a few key instances that swung New Zealand's way.

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

"There's growth in this team and we have to win those crucial points when the game is there for us.

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

Key Moments of the Game

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

"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 playing New Zealand again next week. We meet Argentina and we must put in what we have learned.

"It marks the first time this squad has been united since the Six Nations. To get that cohesion immediately is difficult and to see it grow during the game is positive.

"But it's so disheartening with that effort that we didn't get a win.

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

"The team's path doesn't stop today. We have a crucial game next week and more important games to come in the championship."

Captain's Reaction

Scotland leader Sione Tuipulotu labeled the loss as "mixed feelings" and emphasized the significance of a victory against Argentina, having started the fall matches with a historic result against the United States.

"I instructed the boys we needed a reaction at the break," he said. "Either surrender or decide to fight back.

"We had no downside and all to play for.

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