The Scottish Team Needs to Take the Following Move After All Blacks Defeat - Townsend

"Victory was there. We know the win was there."

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

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

Nonetheless, the All Blacks, who had multiple members placed in the penalty box, struck late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the opportunity of a historic win in this fixture.

"I'm really disappointed first of all, because the hard work that went into that second half performance was all character," Townsend remarked.

"It was crucial to push forward when it got to seventeen all and there were a few big moments that went New Zealand's way.

"Exceptional second half, we showed our true selves today and we probably showed our identity by failing to secure the win as well.

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

"Elements of that game indicate we are competitive with the top sides in the world. We just must make that following advance."

Key Moments of the Match

• Scores from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn brought Scotland back into an absorbing battle.
• 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 fatigued when you apply pressure," said Townsend, who has now been defeated in 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 play Argentina and we need to apply what we have gained.

"It marks the first time this squad has played together since the Six Nations. To get that unity immediately is challenging and to see it develop during the game is encouraging.

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

"It represents the nearest we've been to victory, I believe. We controlled the second half, territory, intensity, ability. We've not achieved that against New Zealand in our past and we are better for the experience.

"The team's path continues today. We have a very big game coming up and more important games to come in the championship."

Skipper's Reaction

Scotland leader Sione Tuipulotu described the defeat as "bittersweet" and stressed the significance of a victory against Argentina, having opened the fall matches with a historic result against the United States.

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

"There was nothing to lose and all to play for.

"It is essential we bounce back for the upcoming match because Argentina aren't going to make it simpler."