Ewan Ashman hat-trick in vain as Scotland fall to another defeat to New Zealand
The hosts were unable to score a point in the second half.
Ewan Ashman became only the fifth player ever to score a hat-trick against New Zealand, but it was not enough to prevent Scotland going down to yet another defeat in this fixture.
The Scots sensed an opportunity to end their long wait for a first victory over the All Blacks after Edinburgh hooker Ashman notched a treble to keep them within three points of their visitors at the end of an epic, seven-try first half.
But the hosts lost their way after the break as Dave Rennie’s on-song side closed out an ultimately comfortable 43-21 Nations Championship triumph.
Scotland, who were given something of a reality check as they were unable score a point in the second half, have now failed to defeat New Zealand in 34 meetings since they first locked horns in 1905.