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

Head coach Gregor Townsend expressed satisfaction in Scotland's performance against New Zealand but was disappointed by a seventeen to twenty-five defeat at their home ground.

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

Nonetheless, the New Zealand team, who had multiple members placed in the penalty box, struck late through Damian McKenzie to deny Scotland the chance of a historic win in this fixture.

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

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

"Outstanding second period, we showed who we are today and we probably revealed our identity 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.

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

Crucial Events of the Game

• Scores from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn brought Scotland back into an absorbing battle.
• Darcy Graham and Rory Hutchinson had been held up over the line in the opening period when Cameron Roigard and Will Jordan notched points for the opponents.

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

"I would like to be facing New Zealand again soon. We play Argentina and we need to put in what we have gained.

"It marks the initial occasion this squad has played together since the Six Nations. To get that unity straight away is difficult and to see it develop during the game is positive.

"But it's so frustrating with that effort that we failed to achieve a win.

"It's the closest we've been to winning, I believe. We dominated the later stages, territory, intensity, skill. We've not achieved that against New Zealand in our past and we are improved for the encounter.

"The team's path continues today. We have a very big game next week and more important games to come in the Six Nations."

Skipper's Response

Scotland leader Sione Tuipulotu labeled the loss as "bittersweet" and emphasized the significance of a win against Argentina, having started 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 surrender or decide to fight back.

"There was no downside and everything to gain.

"We have to recover for the upcoming match because Argentina aren't going to make it any easier."