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

Manager Gregor Townsend expressed pride in Scotland's performance against New Zealand but felt disappointed by a seventeen to twenty-five defeat at Murrayfield.

The hosts trailed seventeen to nil at the interval, only to fight back and tie the score on the hour.

Nonetheless, the New Zealand team, who had multiple members sent to the sin bin, struck late through Damian McKenzie to deny Scotland the chance of a first victory in this fixture.

"I'm really disappointed first of all, because the effort that went into that latter period showing was pure determination," Townsend stated.

"We needed to kick on when it got to seventeen all and there were a few key instances that went New Zealand's way.

"Exceptional second half, we demonstrated our true selves 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 big moments when the match is there for us.

"Aspects of that game show we are competitive with the best teams 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 gripping 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 head coach - all by single digit margins.

"I'd love to be facing New Zealand again next week. We meet Argentina and we need to put in what we have learned.

"It marks the first time this squad has played together since the tournament. To get that cohesion straight away is challenging and to see it develop 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 come to winning, I think. We dominated the second half, field position, intensity, 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 Six Nations."

Captain's Response

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

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

"There was nothing to lose and everything to gain.

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