Scotland Must Take the Following Move After All Blacks Defeat - Townsend

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

Head coach Gregor Townsend voiced satisfaction in the Scottish performance against New Zealand but was disappointed by a seventeen to twenty-five loss at Murrayfield.

Scotland trailed 17-0 at the half, only to fight back and tie the score on the hour.

Nonetheless, the All Blacks, who had three players sent to the sin bin, scored late through Damian McKenzie to deny Scotland the chance of a historic win in this fixture.

"I feel let down first of all, because the hard work that went into that second half performance was all character," Townsend stated.

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

"Outstanding second period, we demonstrated our true selves today and we probably showed our identity by not getting the win as well.

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

"Elements of that performance show we are competitive with the best teams in the world. We just need to make that next step."

Crucial Events of the Match

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

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

"I would like to be playing New Zealand again next week. We meet Argentina and we need to apply what we have learned.

"This is the first time this squad has played together since the Six Nations. To get that cohesion immediately is challenging and to see it grow during the game is positive.

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

"It represents the nearest we've come to winning, I think. We controlled the second half, field position, intensity, ability. We've not done that against New Zealand in our history and we are improved for the experience.

"The team's path doesn't stop today. We have a very big game coming up and bigger games to come in the championship."

Captain's Reaction

Scotland leader Sione Tuipulotu labeled the loss as "mixed feelings" and stressed the importance of a win against Argentina, having opened the autumn series with a record score against the United States.

"I told the boys we needed a response at half time," he said. "Either we lie down or choose to fight back.

"We had nothing to lose and all to play for.

"It is essential we bounce back for next week because Argentina will not make it any easier."