'Disappointed': Scotland rue ill-discipline after New Zealand defeat
REACTION: Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was left lamenting his side’s – and his own – ill-discipline following a 21-43 defeat by New Zealand in the teams’ November Nations Championship opener at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Ewan Ashman’s first-half hattrick of tries gave Scotland hope of a first win over New Zealand, with the All Blacks only leading 24-21 at the break.
But Scotland failed to score a point in a second half where Tuipulotu was sent to the sin-bin.
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“We couldn’t stick with them, it’s really disappointing,” Tuipulotu told STV.
“Our discipline wasn’t good enough, and it starts with me. I got sent to the bin and 10 minutes with your captain off isn’t good for any team.
“First half we were playing our rugby, putting them under pressure with ball in hand, in a way they haven’t been put under pressure in a few weeks,” the Australia-born centre added.
“We just weren’t accurate enough when we got down the pitch.”
New Zealand scored four tries in a breathless first half and added three more after the break, with Scotland coach Gregor Townsend echoing Tuipulotu’s words by saying: “I was disappointed in the first half with how our indiscipline let New Zealand into our 22.
“Going down to 14 it was difficult to wrestle momentum back.
“If you can hold onto the ball in the modern game, you can get points. Second half we didn’t do that well enough.”
Victory gave New Zealand a 32nd win in 34 Tests against Scotland, with two draws, dating back to 1905. It also meant they remained unbeaten in the inaugural Nations Championship following a trio of wins in the southern hemisphere-based section in July.
This was a particularly emotional success for the All Blacks after Logan Cadwallader, their head of security, died at the team hotel in Edinburgh last Sunday.
“Very satisfying win,” said New Zealand outside centre Quinn Tupaea, named player of the match. “It’s a tough week for the group but we rallied together well and got a good result at a difficult place to play.”
New Zealand’s convincing victory followed a pair of thumping wins over Australia that saw the All Blacks get back on track after a 3-1 series loss to world champions South Africa.
“It’s been pleasing, we had a tough tour in Africa, came back and played some pretty impressive rugby against Australia,” said Tupaea. “We love playing this style of rugby, keeping the ball on the park.”
Beauden Barrett’s two tries – the fullback struck either side of half-time – saw him become only the second man after teammate Will Jordan to score 50 tries in Tests for the All Blacks.
“He [Barrett] is a special player,” added Tupaea, who partnered Beauden’s brother Jordie in New Zealand’s midfield at Murrayfield
“I think he’s second all-time in Tests now [for tries for New Zealand] so I’m pleased for the guy.”
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