Scotland-New Zealand analysis: pain, cheap tries, world-class moments and Townsend's correct call

This will hurt for quite some time

Scotland are getting closer to beating New Zealand - but this feels like a proper missed opportunity.

After losing 22-17 in 2017 and 31-23 five years later to the All Blacks, this gut-punch can be added to an increasingly long list of sore defeats by the Kiwis. After 33 attempts, the Scots are still winless.

New Zealand may have led 17-0 at the interval, but the advantage was flattering. Scotland were held up twice on their tryline and had a lot of the game.

They returned for the second half with a barnstorming performance that had Murrayfield in raptures. New Zealand were on the ropes. One more try and you suspect they would have been floored. Scotland could not land it.

We are well aware of how talented this generation of Scotland player is. Not many chances as presentable as this will come the way of Finn Russell and Co. The All Blacks were ill-disciplined with three yellow cards and while their resolute defence needs to be lauded, Scotland also need to take culpability for not taking their chances.

Too many points were left out there. Scotland were on the premises so many times but could not unlock the door.

It is a defeat that will sting for a long time. Captain Sione Tuipulotu said Scotland played some of the best stuff he has ever seen from this team. When you play that well, you have to win.

This was another body of evidence that Scotland can play some world-class rugby. But world-class teams make sure that there is something tangible at the end of 80 minutes when playing the top dogs.

Cheap concession of tries

All three of New Zealand’s tries can be deemed as cheap from a Scotland perspective. There were opportunities to stop All Black ingenuity and ruthlessness at source.

For the opener, Ewan Ashman and Scott Cummings allowed Josh Lord to stroll through a ruck unchallenged before setting up Cam Roigard. Darcy Graham was exposed in a two-v-one when New Zealand were a man down and while Damian McKenzie’s footwork and dexterity should be lauded for the winning try, Blair Kinghorn and George Turner could have nailed him in to touch.

Games against the world’s best are won and lost on such fine margins.

Take advantage of the extra man

Scotland played 30 minutes with an extra man after New Zealand infringements brought three yellow cards.

Gregor Townsend’s men deserve immense credit for putting strain on the visitors, but then did not capitalise on such a generous advantage.

The only points they landed in that half-hour spell were a converted try from Kyle Steyn. And crucially, they conceded a try to Will Jordan just before the break that turned a difficult task into a very tough one.

The All Blacks dug in, but Scotland ought to have done more. Seven-all in such a period of dominance is not acceptable in Test rugby.

Steyn was the right decision

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend made a bold call with his team selection by bringing in Kyle Steyn for the prolific Duhan van der Merwe.

Steyn was seen as more of an all-rounder and someone who could defend well, both in terms of tackling and under the high ball.

Many forget that Steyn is captain of a very good Glasgow Warriors team that won the URC 18 months ago. He is a fine operator - and this performance totally vindicated Townsend’s decision to select him.

Steyn finished his try well, but he also put in two try-saving tackles and was secure in every department. He has put his hand up to be ahead of Van der Merwe next weekend against Argentina, which will be another tough decision for the head coach.

Back-row brilliance

The back-row of Gregor Brown, Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey really took it to the All Blacks. Dempsey’s powerful running is such a great weapon to have, but it was the performance of his Warriors teammate Brown that really stood out.

Winning his 11th cap, the 24-year-old showed that he is more than capable of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Rory Darge, Jamie Ritchie, Andy Onyeama-Christie and Josh Bayliss - the men he kept on the sidelines here.

Efficient at the breakdown, mobile, strong and athletic, this was another example of why the British and Irish Lions called him up over the summer.

Concern over Finn

Talisman and chief creator Finn Russell had his knee practically mummified just 17 minutes in by the Scotland physio after being pinged by an All Black.

He did well to last until the closing stages before Tom Jordan came on for him at stand-off.

With the Pumas visiting Murrayfield next Sunday, Scotland will desperately hope he is fit for that match. He continues to pull the strings in the backline.