Gregor Townsend heaps praise on Scotland as injuries bite

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend heaped praise on his players for their heroic effort in so nearly achieving a first ever win over New Zealand on Saturday evening but was quick to stress that he expects even better in this weekend's final autumn Test against Australia.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend. Picture: Paul Devlin/SNSScotland head coach Gregor Townsend. Picture: Paul Devlin/SNS
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend. Picture: Paul Devlin/SNS

The Scotland medical staff were busy yesterday assessing a number of new injury concerns which buffeted the home team in Saturday’s titanic and emotion-charged tussle, which the world champion All Blacks edged 22-17.

The Scots lost flanker Hamish Watson (back), tighthead Zander Fagerson (concussion), debutant replacement back-rower­ Luke Hamilton (ankle) and centre Alex Dunbar (concussion) in the course of a pulsating Test match which came so close to making history.

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Inspired by a world-class display from Stuart Hogg, the Scots shrugged off the injury losses, which added to a number of blows suffered before and during this November series, to come within a whisker of a momentous win as the star full-back was stopped by a brilliant last ditch tackle from Kiwi stand-off Beauden Barrett at the death.

Updates on the injuries are expected today, with 
No 8 Ryan Wilson, who