By Sam Hill
New Zealand overpowered Wales to win 52-26 at the Principality Stadium, securing victory from an enthralling, free-flowing contest.
Wing Tom Rogers made history by becoming the first Welshman to score a hat-trick against the All Blacks, while Wales also delivered their most points in a home fixture against the side ranked World No.2.
However, a flawless kicking display from fly-half Damian McKenzie and a late surge ensured the visitors’ pressure told, as they ultimately broke the resistance of Wales to record the win that was widely expected.
It was a game that had incredible similarities to the 2003 World Cup final group game in Sydney, won 53-37 by New Zealand.
Wales showed a good level of ambition like that day to score four well-worked tries, but two late yellow cards and a rising penalty count in the second half allowed the visitors to pull away after a competitive opening hour.
It was New Zealand who struck first when Caleb Clarke crossed, but Wales soon replied with Rogers’ first try to level the score as the raucous 68,000 crowd inside the Principality turned up the volume.
McKenzie edged the visitors ahead with a penalty kick before full-back Ruben Love ran in a magnificent solo effort, weaving past multiple Welsh players to seal New Zealand’s second try of the game.
Wales did not let their heads drop and it was Rogers who hit back once again following another well worked move from the backs. Dan Edwards successful conversion cut the gap to just three points.
The All Blacks regained control just before the interval, when prop Tamaiti Williams powered his way over after a driving maul, to extend the gap to ten points.
It was a dream start to the second half for Wales as winger Rogers completed a remarkable hat-trick, with Edwards conversion reducing the deficit to just three points once again.
The Welsh voices throughout the crowd began to raise and there was optimism that a seismic shock was potentially on the cards.
However, the power from New Zealand and intensity only got higher with the hosts struggling to cope with it. It was relentless pressure, and despite the TMO stepping in to cancel out two tries the visitors scored, they were not to be denied for a third time, when Rieko Ioane struck inevitably.
From there, Welsh discipline unravelled. The relentless pressure was just too much to handle, Gareth Thomas was sent to the bin, and this gave the All Blacks the platform they needed to extend their advantage.
Taine Plumtree was then sent to the bin with Wales being temporarily down to 13, after a high shot on Will Jordan. After a review from the TMO, it was deemed not to be a red card after mitigation that there was a sudden drop from Jordan.
It was just minutes later that Sevu Reece capitalised from the bench to give the visitors a commanding lead now.
To Wales’ credit, they did not give in and found a late fourth try in the 76th minute through Louis Rees-Zammit to score their fourth try of the game with another classy attacking move to undo the visitors.
In the final stages, vice-captain Jordan claimed a magnificent high ball which sent the All Blacks on their way to round off an encapsulating game of rugby.
Reece, claiming his second try from the bench, before McKenzie landed his eighth kick from eight to round off a perfect record from the tee.
Although the scoreboard showed a comfortable New Zealand win, Wales played some of their most exciting rugby of the campaign running in four tries with tempo and attacking variety.
Wales can take encouragement from four well-worked tries and long spells of ambition, but discipline and depth told as New Zealand pulled clear late on.
For the All Blacks, this was a much-needed response after the loss to England to end their tour, with fringe players stepping up and some pressure now potentially coming off head coach Scott Robertson.
Wales, meanwhile, face the daunting task of welcoming world champions South Africa next, and with up to a dozen players unavailable due to it being played outside the test window, the challenge only grows.