New Zealand produced a commanding second-half display to beat Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield on Saturday, running in seven tries to extend their unbeaten record against the Scots in a Nations Championship meeting that was thrillingly close for 40 minutes before the visitors pulled clear.

Scotland trailed by only three points at half-time, 24-21, after a breathless opening period that produced seven tries. But the All Blacks won the second half 19-0 as the home side faded under sustained pressure, failing to score a single point after the interval.

The result was New Zealand's 32nd win in 34 Tests against Scotland, with two drawn, in a sequence stretching back to 1905. Scotland have still never beaten the All Blacks.

Ashman makes history in vain

Ewan Ashman gave Murrayfield genuine hope of a first win in this fixture. The hooker became the first Scotland player ever to score a hat-trick against New Zealand, with all three tries arriving before half-time, each one converted by Finn Russell.

Ashman is only the fifth player from any nation to score a hat-trick against the All Blacks in Test rugby. His third try, shortly before the break, kept Scotland within three points at 24-21 and sent the home crowd into the second half believing an upset was possible.

But Scotland's discipline collapsed after the restart. Captain Sione Tuipulotu was sent to the sin-bin in the second half, and a string of penalties allowed New Zealand to turn their dominance of territory into points. The All Blacks added three more tries after the break, with Asafo Aumua finishing off a well-worked set-piece move to complete the scoring at 43-21.

Seven tries for the visitors

New Zealand's seven tries were shared around the side. Wallace Sititi, Ethan de Groot and Codie Taylor all crossed in the first half, before veteran Beauden Barrett scored twice to take his Test try tally to 50. Josh Moorby and Aumua added the remaining tries, with Damian McKenzie kicking four conversions.

The All Blacks had to overcome two sin-binnings of their own in the first half, and Scotland's bright start exposed some rustiness in the visitors' defence. But improved discipline and defence after the interval added to Scotland's frustration, and the home side could not add to their score despite the crowd urging them on.

The win kept New Zealand unbeaten in the inaugural Nations Championship, following three wins in the southern hemisphere section of the competition in July. It also locked in second place for New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere conference of the championship.

Injury worries before Wales trip

The victory came at a cost, with two New Zealand players picking up injuries at Murrayfield. Will Jordan suffered a suspected hamstring injury in the second half, while Jordie Barrett was taken off for a head injury assessment which he failed.

Both players could miss next weekend's Nations Championship clash with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, with the All Blacks awaiting further assessment before naming their side.

For Scotland, the defeat was a familiar story against opposition they have never beaten, despite Ashman's historic afternoon. Head coach Gregor Townsend's side must now regroup quickly, with the positives of a vibrant first half weighed against a second half in which they were shut out completely.