Ewan Ashman hat-trick in vain as Scotland fall 43-21 to New Zealand

Ewan Ashman became only the fifth player ever to score a hat-trick against New Zealand – and the first Scot – but it was not enough to stop Scotland falling to yet another defeat against the All Blacks.

The Edinburgh hooker's treble kept Gregor Townsend's side within three points of the visitors at the end of an epic, seven-try first half. But the hosts lost their way after the break as Dave Rennie's New Zealand closed out an ultimately comfortable 43-21 Nations Championship win.

A frantic first half

There was a moment's applause before kick-off in memory of former Edinburgh captain Ally Donaldson, who died in September, and a long-serving member of the All Blacks' security staff.

New Zealand – ranked second in the world and battle-hardened after ten matches since Scotland last played – went ahead in the fourth minute when back-rower Wallace Sititi capitalised on slack Scottish defending to score from a lineout.

Scotland hit back in the eighth minute as Ashman squeezed over from a lineout, with Finn Russell converting.

After wing Will Jordan was held up on the line by Ben White, prop Ethan de Groot bulldozed his way over in the 16th minute, and hooker Codie Taylor scored from a lineout maul in the 20th minute.

Ashman powered over for his second after brilliant work by Rory Darge and Sione Tuipulotu, with Russell converting. But 14-man New Zealand reasserted their authority when Beauden Barrett found a gap after being fed by Damian McKenzie.

Sititi was then sin-binned for cynical play, and Scotland made the extra man count in the 37th minute as Ashman completed his hat-trick from another lineout maul. Russell converted to make it 24-21 to the visitors at the break.

All Blacks pull away

Scotland were unable to maintain their first-half intensity after the restart. Once back to their full 15, New Zealand took control with quickfire tries from Josh Moorby and Barrett, and pulled clear to win by 22 points.

The long wait goes on

Scotland have never beaten New Zealand in a men's Test match, and the wait goes on. Despite the result, Ashman's historic hat-trick and an encouraging first-half performance give Townsend positives to build on for the rest of the Nations Championship.