Sione Tuipuloto conceded Scotland "couldn't stick with" New Zealand, following their Nations Championship defeat at Murrayfield.

The Scots went down 43-21, as they were beaten for the 32nd time in 34 Tests between the nations.

Ewan Ashman's first-half hat-trick kept the hosts in touch with the All Blacks, who held a slender 24-21 advantage at the break.

However, New Zealand pulled away in the second half, during which Tuipulotu was yellow-carded. Beauden Barrett scored the second of his two tries, which was sandwiched between Josh Moorby and Asafo Aumua going over.

"We couldn't stick with them, it's really disappointing," the Scotland skipper told STV. 

"Our discipline wasn't good enough, and it starts with me. I got sent to the bin, and 10 minutes with your captain off isn't good for any team.

Ewan 'Hat-Trick' Ashmanhttps://t.co/zz1w1Jgh96

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 7, 2026

"First half, we were playing our rugby, putting them under pressure with ball in hand, in a way they haven't been put under pressure in a few weeks. We just weren't accurate enough when we got down the pitch.

"It's a must-win game next week [against Australia], we'll regroup and stick together like we always do."

New Zealand, meanwhile, maintained their perfect record in the Nations Championship, with a fourth successive bonus-point win.

"Very satisfying win. It's a tough week for the group, but we rallied together well and got a good result at a difficult place to play," Quinn Tupaea told STV.

"It's been pleasing, we had a tough tour in Africa, came back and played some pretty impressive rugby against Australia. We love playing this style of rugby, keeping the ball on the park.

"They had a lot of momentum, but we went into half-time feeling pretty positive. We knew we could come out on top, so we're very pleased."