New Zealand beat Scotland 43–21 despite Ashman hat-trick

New Zealand defeated Scotland 43–21 in the Nations Championship at Murrayfield, scoring seven tries and keeping the hosts scoreless after half-time. Ewan Ashman’s three first-half tries had left Scotland only three points behind at the interval, but the visitors added 19 unanswered points to settle the match, according to BBC Sport’s report.

Watch the highlights:

Wallace Sititi opened the scoring before Ashman replied, with Ethan de Groot and Codie Taylor then crossing for New Zealand. Beauden Barrett also scored before the break. Scotland capitalised on yellow cards for Peter Lakai and Sititi, with Ashman completing his hat-trick and Finn Russell converting all three of the home side’s tries.

Josh Moorby, Barrett and Asafo Aumua supplied New Zealand’s second-half tries as the contest moved decisively away from Scotland. Barrett finished with two tries, while Damian McKenzie kicked four conversions across the match. The result extended New Zealand’s unbeaten record against Scotland to 34 Tests, comprising 32 victories and two draws, leaving the hosts still searching for a first win in the fixture.

In separate post-match reporting by BBC Sport, Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu accepted responsibility for his team’s discipline and his own second-half sin-binning. Scotland conceded 13 penalties to New Zealand’s eight. Tuipulotu said the hosts had created pressure with their attacking play before the interval but had not made enough of their opportunities, and their accuracy subsequently fell short.

Head coach Gregor Townsend also identified penalties and errors as central to the defeat. He said Scotland had too little possession after half-time to build on their earlier work and spent an extended period defending while reduced in numbers. Although he felt his side had defended effectively in some passages, infringements repeatedly gave New Zealand opportunities to attack close to the Scottish line.

Townsend credited New Zealand’s work at the scrum and breakdown and acknowledged that the visitors deserved the victory. Scotland still have home matches against Australia and Japan this month. Tuipulotu described the Australia fixture as one his team must win, while Townsend said reducing turnovers and improving discipline would be essential lessons from the defeat.