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 .

New Zealand surged away from Scotland in the second period at Murrayfield (Getty)

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.

There was a moment’s applause ahead of kick-off in memory of former Edinburgh captain Ally Donaldson, who died in September, and long-serving All Blacks head of…