Scotland 'need next step' after loss to New Zealand

Scotland 'need next step' after loss to New Zealand

Scotland’s head coach, Gregor Townsend, expressed both pride and disappointment following their narrow 25-17 defeat to New Zealand at Murrayfield. Despite trailing 17-0 at halftime, the hosts fought back to draw level, only to be denied victory by a late try from Damian McKenzie. Townsend commended his team’s character in the second half but lamented the missed opportunities that could have secured a historic win against the All Blacks.

The coach highlighted the need for his team to capitalize on crucial moments in matches and acknowledged that there is still room for growth. Despite the defeat, Townsend pointed out that Scotland’s performance demonstrated that they are capable of competing with the best teams in the world and emphasized the importance of taking the next step in their development.

Scotland’s tries from Ewan Ashman and Kyle Steyn showcased their attacking capabilities, while missed opportunities in the first half proved costly. Townsend reflected on the team’s cohesion and effort, expressing frustration at not clinching the victory despite dominating in certain aspects of the game. Despite the setback, he stressed the importance of learning from the experience and turning their focus towards upcoming matches, starting with a crucial game against Argentina.

Captain Sione Tuipulotu echoed Townsend’s sentiments, describing the loss as “bittersweet” and emphasizing the need for a strong response against Argentina in their next fixture. Tuipulotu urged his team to bounce back and learn from their performance against New Zealand, as they look to build on their progress and continue their journey in the upcoming Six Nations matches

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