All Blacks prove to strong for Wales

By Mark Stevens
25/11/17

Clinical New Zealand claimed a 30th consecutive win over Wales to end their 2017 autumn tour of Europe unbeaten in Cardiff.

The All Blacks defied overwhelming Welsh possession and territory to lead at half-time thanks to two tries by wing Waisake Naholo. Then two in six minutes for Anton Lienert-Brown and Rieko Ioane opened a 15-point gap.

Wales, who included Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis in their starting line-up, scored through Scott Williams and Gareth Davies, but Ioane's second touchdown ended a late fight-back.

Post-match, Welsh head coach Warren Gatland said New Zealand’s trademark clinical finishing proved the difference between the sides.

“It was a great test match,“ said Gatland. ”At half-time we felt very much in the game and pretty comfortable. We needed to go out in the second half and be accurate. But they marked two or three of their moments and we didn‘t.”

It has been a familiar story over the years for Gatland, who has lost each time he has faced his compatriots as Wales coach. However, he believed much of Wales’s play was “very positive” and augurs well for the build-up to the World Cup in 2019.

“It was better than the first half against Australia (when his side lost 29-21 earlier this month). ”Defensively it was good although we were exposed a couple of times but I was happy with the attacking.

“But New Zealand are a good team, aren’t they? But we’re excited about a couple of our guys. Steff Evans and Owen Williams will have learned a lot.”