New Zealand beat Scotland 43-21 as second-half shutout settles Murrayfield Test

New Zealand defeated Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield in the Nations Championship on Saturday, scoring 19 unanswered points after half-time. BBC Sport reported that the All Blacks finished with seven tries to Scotland's three, extending their unbeaten record in the fixture to 34 Tests. Scotland remain without a victory against New Zealand, with two draws across that run.

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Ewan Ashman scored all three Scottish tries before the interval, and Finn Russell converted each one. New Zealand nevertheless led 24-21 at the break, with Wallace Sititi, Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett crossing. Yellow cards for Peter Lakai and Sititi gave Scotland opportunities to keep the first half close.

The visitors pulled away after the restart through tries from Josh Moorby, Barrett and Asafo Aumua. Barrett's second completed his double, while Damian McKenzie finished with four conversions. Scotland could not add to their first-half total as New Zealand established a decisive advantage.

In BBC Sport's separate post-match report, Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu accepted responsibility for his team's discipline and his own yellow card. Scotland conceded 13 penalties compared with New Zealand's eight. Tuipulotu said the hosts had put their opponents under pressure with possession before the break but had not converted enough of their opportunities into points.

Head coach Gregor Townsend also identified discipline and errors as central problems. He said Scotland had been unable to build on their first-half work because they spent too much of the second period without the ball. Penalties repeatedly pushed them back into their own 22, while the yellow card left them defending for an extended spell.

Townsend credited New Zealand's work at the scrum and breakdown and said the visitors deserved their victory. He maintained his belief that Scotland could trouble opponents but stressed the need to reduce turnovers and penalties. Scotland next face Australia, with Japan also due at Murrayfield this month. Tuipulotu described the Australia match as one Scotland must win and said the squad would regroup together.