By Nick Powell
New Zealand 39-21 Wales
Wales fell to a 27th straight defeat to New Zealand as they scored 21 points in the last 18 minutes to go 1-0 down in the three-test series.
Wales made a bright start as Toby Faletau crossed inside the first 10 minutes. Their lead wasn't deserved but they were clinical as they needed to be.
New Zealand hit back with two tries in two minutes as they hit back to lead but Wales chipped away at their lead and led at the break after Rhys Webb crossed.
The fly halves exchanged penalties before, New Zealand raced clear in the latter stages to continue Wales' hurt.
Many pundits saw this as one of Wales' best ever chances to win in New Zealand, with 700 caps taken out of the side following retirements after the World Cup
But Wales were still up against a very experienced New Zealand team and they started at lightning speed
The All Blacks dominated the opening 5 minutes. After Cruden's first penalty attempt hit the post, New Zealand had possession in the Welsh 22 as it bounced kindly for them. Cruden's kick through was dotted down by Liam Williams, but from the resulting drop out New Zealand came again, earning the first points of the match.
Wales had a chance to get back in the lead, as George North skinned Julian Savea, his pass didn't find Rhys Webb and they would have almost certainly scored. They were instantly punished. A stunning New Zealand try followed, after Ben Smith plucked off the high kick of Biggar he weaved through their defensive line and set up a 5 on 1 against the Wales fly half. He found Cruden and after the All Blacks stand off was being chased he found Naholo, who would not be caught. Wales hit back with a penalty however to cap off a truly breathless opening quarter.
Wales made two dangerous line breaks, first through Jonathan Davies who was one pass away from putting George North in. Then Liam Williams was one kick through away from putting Rhys Webb in. Fortunately for Wales, that second one earned a penalty and Wales cut the gap to four. It was Williams who would also have the next chance, and this time he fed Webb successfully. After running it back in from a kick he somehow jinked through and simply completed the two on one with the scrum half perfectly positioned to finish. The kick was simple and Wales headed into the break ahead. They had a chance only a few metres out to increase their lead which went begging but they could head into break very happy after a stunning first half.
The second half was much tighter at the start. With both sides upping their defence, knowing that both sides would punish mistakes and that as the clock tied down towards 80. Cruden injected the first moments of life. They generated quick ball and moved up to the 22 and the stand off made bursts for the line and produced some dangerous passes. It eventually led to a penalty and the scores were back level.
It didn't stay that way for long though, George North burst forward through a number of New Zealand tackles and his eventual break led to a Welsh penalty, amid a chorus of boos Biggar did his dance before sending Wales back into the lead. It made up for the kick he had missed only a couple of minutes earlier and Wales could start to believe.
Cruden missed another penalty and Wales had the lead in the last 20 minutes. You couldn't help but believing there was hope of an extraordinary victory, a first since the year of the Queen's coronation. The All Blacks have a stunning record in this period and showed their true colours only a few minutes into it. New Zealand rumbled forward, getting within a few yards. They earned a penalty and Smith, like Cruden did against England two years prior, had the invention to quick tap the penalty which would result in the leading try. It was converted and Wales needed an instant response.
But New Zealand looked fitter and were soon putting Wales' side under more intense pressure. Wales made the changes but the All Blacks were simply irresistible. The World Champions moved in the 22 and Patrick Tuipulotu sucked in two defenders and set Kieran Read free to crash over for a try which Aaron Cruden converted.
They looked to be on course for a rout as Cruden breezed through. His resulting pass was forward however and the try was disallowed. It was frustrating for the All Blacks, but they were looking so much better and the victory had probably already been secured. this was compounded as Wales missed a chance five yards out and Toby Faletau had his kick chase try ruled out for being in front of the kicker.
Once again, Wales came up to the 22. But Once again Wales lost their own line-out at a crucial period, but all was not lost. Scott Williams kicked the stray ball ahead Wales subsequently earn a scrum 5m from the New Zealand try line. It was their final hope, but it was dashed. They ultimately knocked on again and New Zealand cleared upfield.
As the clock went red, New Zealand had another chance and finished with a flourish as Nathan Harris finished in the corner after the ball went through the hands. The scoreline was harsh on Wales, and they could be proud of the effort they showed, but once again the All Black's did the business in the last 20 minutes to deny another Northern Hemisphere side.
New Zealand 39-21 Wales
Wales fell to a 27th straight defeat to New Zealand as they scored 21 points in the last 18 minutes to go 1-0 down in the three-test series.
Wales made a bright start as Toby Faletau crossed inside the first 10 minutes. Their lead wasn't deserved but they were clinical as they needed to be.
New Zealand hit back with two tries in two minutes as they hit back to lead but Wales chipped away at their lead and led at the break after Rhys Webb crossed.
The fly halves exchanged penalties before, New Zealand raced clear in the latter stages to continue Wales' hurt.
Many pundits saw this as one of Wales' best ever chances to win in New Zealand, with 700 caps taken out of the side following retirements after the World Cup
But Wales were still up against a very experienced New Zealand team and they started at lightning speed
The All Blacks dominated the opening 5 minutes. After Cruden's first penalty attempt hit the post, New Zealand had possession in the Welsh 22 as it bounced kindly for them. Cruden's kick through was dotted down by Liam Williams, but from the resulting drop out New Zealand came again, earning the first points of the match.
But Wales hit back almost immediately, after New Zealand knocked on, Wales retained possession, moving through with intelligent moving and passes. Liam Williams burst down the right touchline, Wales quickly worked it outwide and Hallam Amos drew two players to feed Taulape Faletau in the corner. Wales had the lead, but it didn't last long. Waikese Naholo made a stunning break down his touch line and it only needed a few phases before the try came. Aaron Cruden provided a diagonal high kick that picked out Savea perfectly for the try that put them in the lead.
Faletau gave Wales a shock lead, but it didn't last long
Wales made two dangerous line breaks, first through Jonathan Davies who was one pass away from putting George North in. Then Liam Williams was one kick through away from putting Rhys Webb in. Fortunately for Wales, that second one earned a penalty and Wales cut the gap to four. It was Williams who would also have the next chance, and this time he fed Webb successfully. After running it back in from a kick he somehow jinked through and simply completed the two on one with the scrum half perfectly positioned to finish. The kick was simple and Wales headed into the break ahead. They had a chance only a few metres out to increase their lead which went begging but they could head into break very happy after a stunning first half.
The second half was much tighter at the start. With both sides upping their defence, knowing that both sides would punish mistakes and that as the clock tied down towards 80. Cruden injected the first moments of life. They generated quick ball and moved up to the 22 and the stand off made bursts for the line and produced some dangerous passes. It eventually led to a penalty and the scores were back level.
It didn't stay that way for long though, George North burst forward through a number of New Zealand tackles and his eventual break led to a Welsh penalty, amid a chorus of boos Biggar did his dance before sending Wales back into the lead. It made up for the kick he had missed only a couple of minutes earlier and Wales could start to believe.
Cruden missed another penalty and Wales had the lead in the last 20 minutes. You couldn't help but believing there was hope of an extraordinary victory, a first since the year of the Queen's coronation. The All Blacks have a stunning record in this period and showed their true colours only a few minutes into it. New Zealand rumbled forward, getting within a few yards. They earned a penalty and Smith, like Cruden did against England two years prior, had the invention to quick tap the penalty which would result in the leading try. It was converted and Wales needed an instant response.
But New Zealand looked fitter and were soon putting Wales' side under more intense pressure. Wales made the changes but the All Blacks were simply irresistible. The World Champions moved in the 22 and Patrick Tuipulotu sucked in two defenders and set Kieran Read free to crash over for a try which Aaron Cruden converted.
Read's try all but sealed victory
They looked to be on course for a rout as Cruden breezed through. His resulting pass was forward however and the try was disallowed. It was frustrating for the All Blacks, but they were looking so much better and the victory had probably already been secured. this was compounded as Wales missed a chance five yards out and Toby Faletau had his kick chase try ruled out for being in front of the kicker.
Once again, Wales came up to the 22. But Once again Wales lost their own line-out at a crucial period, but all was not lost. Scott Williams kicked the stray ball ahead Wales subsequently earn a scrum 5m from the New Zealand try line. It was their final hope, but it was dashed. They ultimately knocked on again and New Zealand cleared upfield.
As the clock went red, New Zealand had another chance and finished with a flourish as Nathan Harris finished in the corner after the ball went through the hands. The scoreline was harsh on Wales, and they could be proud of the effort they showed, but once again the All Black's did the business in the last 20 minutes to deny another Northern Hemisphere side.
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