Scotland Must Make the Next Step Following All Blacks Heartbreak - Coach Townsend

"The win could have been ours. We are aware the win was there."

Head coach Gregor Townsend expressed satisfaction in the Scottish display versus New Zealand but felt disappointed by a 25-17 defeat at their home ground.

The hosts were behind 17-0 at the half, only to storm back and draw level on the hour.

However, the New Zealand team, who had multiple members placed in the penalty box, scored late through Damian McKenzie to prevent Scotland the opportunity of a historic win in this match-up.

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

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

"Exceptional second period, we showed who we are today and we likely revealed our identity by failing to secure the win as well.

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

"Aspects 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 Match

• Tries 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 scored for the visitors.

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

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

"It marks the first time this team has played together since the Six Nations. To get that cohesion straight away is difficult and to see it grow during the game is encouraging.

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

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

"Our journey doesn't stop today. We have a very big game next week and bigger games to come in the Six Nations."

Skipper's Reaction

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu labeled the defeat as "mixed feelings" and stressed the significance of a win against Argentina, having opened the fall matches with a historic result against the United States.

"I instructed the boys we required a response at half time," he said. "We could we lie down or decide to go for it.

"We had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

"We have to recover for next week because Argentina aren't going to make it any easier."