REACTION | Townsend: “We get such an energy from the crowd.”

“We said back in St Andrews, during out summer camp, that the challenge facing us in the next 6 to 12 months was a huge one. We were going to play every team in the top 8, apart from South Africa, and if we played at our best, we could win all those games.

We showed that desire last week – almost getting the win – and we certainly showed it today. Heading into next year’s Six Nations, we’ve got to have that same belief, but also the same mind-set to play and an ability to take the game to the opposition. If we work hard, then that will bring its rewards.”

This afternoon’s incredible victory, which saw Scotland score eight tries against the Wallabies – the most tries the Dark Blues have ever scored against the Wallabies – was also recorded without Scotland’s talismanic playmaker, Stuart Hogg, who missed out due to a hip injury.

“It was great to see the replacements play so well. Byron McGuigan was outstanding and Sean Maitland, who had mainly trained on the wing this week, was great at fullback. It was pleasing to see Hogg’s absence not affect the players too much.

“When you have to say to them 10 minutes before kick-off that there is change to the team, you know there is going to be knock-on effect. Players are going to be asking, how does that change certain moves? But they kept their focus, and it shows the depth we have in certain positions – especially in the back-line.

Townsend also heaped praise onto the sell-out BT Murrayfield faithful and was adamant that Scotland’s 16th man were a key factor in Scotland’s Autumn Test success.

Speaking on behalf of the players, we get such an energy from the crowd. BT Murrayfield, the last two weeks, has been fantastic. It’s the best atmosphere in the international game just now and it’s great for our players to experience that.

As Scotland ended their Autumn Test campaign on a high note, Townsend was left ecstatic with the role his entire squad played in recording victories over Samoa and Australia, as well as a near-famous win over the All Blacks last weekend.

We’ve learned a lot about our players and individuals. If you think of someone like Jamie Bhatti, who came off the bench against Samoa to win his first cap, then played against New Zealand – the number one team in the word – and then made a brilliant line break this afternoon and looked like he’s been playing at this level for 10 years.”

“Players like Byron and Darryl Marfo have had their first experience of internationals rugby, enjoyed it, and played well. We’ve learned a lot about defence and attack – what works and what we need to improve on. And I think the players will see those pictures, that when we defend a certain way, with a certain intensity, we can force mistakes out of the opposition. When we work hard in attack, we can create certain opportunities.”