Scotland once again came up short in their quest to earn a first-ever victory over New Zealand as the All Blacks produced a dominant second-half performance to run out 43-21 winners at Murrayfield.

Ewan Ashman's hat-trick had the Scots behind by just three points at the interval following a breathless opening period. 

But Gregor Townsend's men faded badly and failed to score at all after the break and the All Blacks surged to an emphatic Nations Championship win. So who was unlucky to be on the losing side and who had a day to forget in the capital? 

SCOTLAND 

KYLE ROWE — 6.5 

Tried to engineer a spark and broke through a couple of tackles but All Blacks kept him fairly quiet overall.

KYLE STEYN — 6.5 

Plucked the ball out the air to make a good interception in second half but damage was already done by that point.

HUW JONES — 7.5 

Brought the stadium to its feet with a couple of electric line breaks in first half. Unlucky to be on losing side.

SIONE TUIPULOTU — 6.5 

Scotland skipper nowhere near as effective as normal in midfield. Outshone by All Black rivals Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea.

JAMIE DOBIE — 6.5 

Had a couple of decent moments out wide but All Blacks were able to muscle him into touch to kill the attack stone-dead.

FINN RUSSELL — 6.5 

Fed Jones with a couple of clever passes but Scotland’s attack as a whole never really sparked into life.

BEN WHITE — 6 

A frustrating afternoon as some cynical play from New Zealand at the breakdown stopped Scotland scrum-half from getting quick ball.

RORY SUTHERLAND — 5 

A surprise selection ahead of Schoeman but he never impacted the game at all before going off after half an hour.

EWAN ASHMAN — 8 

A day he will never forget after scoring a first-half hat-trick against the All Blacks. Shame it counted for nothing in the end.

ZANDER FAGERSON — 5 

Scotland’s scrum was given a torrid time as All Blacks dominated the set-piece. Rarely is he outmuscled in such a fashion.

GREGOR BROWN — 7 

Made a couple of powerful carries in the first half and gave a good account of himself overall against the New Zealand pack.

SCOTT CUMMINGS — 6.5 

Did his best to lead the lineout but struggled to generate any forward momentum with ball in hand, which is normally a strength.

MATT FAGERSON — 6.5 

Showed good power and footwork to get over the gainline on a couple of occasions. Faded as the game wore on.

RORY DARGE — 7 

Got through some good work at the breakdown and caused problems but referee was very harsh with certain calls against Scotland.

JACK DEMPSEY — 6 

Hasn’t played much rugby yet since moving to Japan and it told. A yard off the pace throughout the contest.

REPLACEMENTS: Schoeman (for Sutherland 31), Kinghorn (for Rowe 53), Williamson (for Dempsey 53), Jordan (for Russell 62), G Horne (for White 62), Bayliss (for M Fagerson 62), Hurd (for Z Fagerson 66), Hiddleston (for Ashman 66).

NEW ZEALAND

1. Ethan de Groot 7.5

2. Codie Taylor 7.5

3. Fletcher Newell 7

4. Scott Barrett 7.5

5. Fabian Holland 7

6. Tupou Vaa’i 7

7. Peter Lakai 6.5

8. Wallace Sititi 6.5

9. Cam Roigard 7.5

10. Damian McKenzie 8

11. Josh Moorby 7

12. Jordie Barrett 8

13. Quinn Tupaea 8

14. Will Jordan 8

15. Beauden Barrett 8

Replacements: Bower (for De Groot 50), Ioane (for Jordan 53), Aumua (for Taylor 56), Sydney (for Sititi 56) Ratima (for Roigard 60), Tavatavanawai (for B Barrett 65), Tifo (for Newell 62), Lio-Willie (for Vaai 71).