Quilter Nations Series
Wales (14) 26
Tries: Rogers (3), Rees-Zammit Cons: Edwards (3)
New Zealand (24) 52
Tries: Clarke (2), Love, Williams, Jordan, Ioane, Reece (2) Cons: McKenzie (7) Pen: McKenzie
The much-changed All Blacks would run in eight tries to Wales’ four as the home side would concede over fifty points for the second time in three Autumn outings.
Four first half tries from wing Caleb Clarke, full back Ruben Love, prop Tamaiti Williams and centre Rieko Jordan would put Scott Robertson’s side into the ascendancy at the break despite Wales wing Tom Rogers scoring a brace for the Welsh to them hope.
Supplemented by 17 points from fly-half Damian McKenzie’s boot, a combination of power, pace and Welsh indiscipline come to the forefront in the second half as the Welsh defense would be ripped apart.
Wales were made to pay for their indiscipline with yellow cards for Gareth Thomas and Taine Plumtree as the hosts were overwhelmed by the relentless New Zealand attack.
Further scores from Clarke, Reiko Ioane and a double from replacement wing Seevu Reece sealing the result, despite Scarlets Rogers completing his hattrick. Louis Rees Zammit raced in for his second try since his return from American Football to reduced the deficit late but the All Blacks would be commanding victors.
Wales would come into the match having halted a 10-match losing streak at the Principality with a 24-23 victory over Japan last weekend, a result which also clinched only a second victory in 21 Test matches.
They would face off against a much-changed All Blacks side, but one the Welsh have not tasted victory against for over 70 years.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy would make six changes with Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves handed a debut for injured Olly Cracknell while number eight Aaron Wainwright was a late withdrawal with Plumtree starting at eight.
Scarlets duo Joe Hawkins and Rogers also returned, with props Rhys Carre and Keiron Assiratti who had the nod against Argentina came back into the pack.
New Zealand made no less than 12 changes from the side that lost 33-19 to England last weekend resting star players Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett with only captain Scott Barrett, flanker Simon Parker and Jordan keep their places. McKenzie named at fly-half, with Ioane also coming into the side.
The All Blacks dominated possession in the opening minutes to set up a try for Clarke with McKenzie converting.
Wales responded with Rees-Zammit taking a towering high ball on the right before the hosts moved the ball left for wing Rogers – back in the side for the suspended Josh Adams – to score after a clever offload from Edwards, who also converted.
New Zealand would demonstrate their ruthless nature with Love bursting through an attempted Carre tackle to regain the advantage, but Wales would retaliate once more.
After initially winning another aerial battle, Scarlets back Blair Murray would latch onto a clever Tomos Williams chip before feeding club teammate Rogers to cross.
It would be the visitors who would utalise their power advantage to regain their superiority at the break. Williams driving over to help secure a 24-14 half-time lead.
Wales would come out of the blocks the fastest to the jubilation of the Welsh crowd. Hawkins demonstrating his distribution skills from inside centre with a wonderful long pass to Llewellyn who would release Rogers for his hat-trick. The first for a Welshman against New Zealand and the first since Rees-Zammit against Georgia at the World Cup.
The All Blacks would have two prospective tries ruled out in a couple of minutes, but would not be denied a third. With pressure eventually telling, Ioane would latch onto a cross kick from McKenzie to go over the Welsh line.
Replacement prop Gareth Thomas was then shown a yellow card for a no-arms tackle and New Zealand made the extra man tell with Reece utalising the space to go over.
Just as Wales were restored to 15 men, Wales would be reduced once more. Plumtree shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Jordan. Reece would punish the Welsh ill-discipline then with his second before Rees-Zammit’s magic halted the one-way traffic temporarily diving over in the corner.
But it would be New Zealand who would strike the final blow with Clarke sprinting over for his second score and the final points of an enthralling match.
Wales XV: Blair Murray; Louis Rees-Zammit, Max Llewellyn, Joe Hawkins, Tom Rogers; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Alex Mann, Harri Deaves, Taine Plumtree.
Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Morgan Morse, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.
New Zealand XV: Ruben Love; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamaiti Williams, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Pasilio Tosi, Scott Barrett (Captain), Fabian Holland, Simon Parker, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi.
Replacements: George Bell, Fletcher Newell, George Bower, Josh Lord, Christian Lio-Willie, Finlay Christie, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Sevu Reece.
[Lead image: Huw Evans Picture Agency]
