WALES lost their Autumn Internationals clash with New Zealand 48-53.
Codie Taylor and Aaron Smith scored a couple of tries each as the Kiwis put on a fine display at the Principality Stadium.
The Dragons constantly fought their way back into the game on numerous occasions, but the visitors were just too strong on the day.
- RESULT: Wales 23-55 New Zealand
- Wales team: 15 Anscombe, 14 Rees-Zammit, 13 North, 12 Tompkins, 11 Dyer, 10 Priestland, 9 T Williams; 1 G Thomas, 2 Owens, 3 Francis, 4 Rowlands, 5 Beard, 6 Tipuric, 7 Reffell, 8 Faletau.
- New Zealand team: 15 B Barrett, 14 Reece, 13 R Ioane, 12 J Barrett, 11 Clarke, 10 Mo'unga, 9 Smith; 1 De Groot, 2 Taylor, 3 Lomax, 4 Whitelock, 5 B Barrett, 6 Frizell, 7 Papalii, 8 Savea.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Follow ALL the action with our live blog…
- Alex Terrell
Where can Wales go from here?
There is no doubt, if Wales were looking to put down a marker for the 2023 World Cup, this was a huge missed opportunity.
Wales were simply not at the races, which is an accusation you can level at the men in red almost every time they play New Zealand.
But there appears to be a lack of initiative from Wayne Pivac's men, a lack of kicking and a lack of belief.
There is no doubt the next few tests and the following Six Nations could be very difficult for the Welsh unless they step up a gear.
Not to mention the World Cup in a year's time.
- Kieran Davies
Storm clouds on the horizon
When the All Blacks come to town, it tends not to make for pretty viewing for Welsh rugby fans.
Wales gave New Zealand a good game in lots of areas but struggled with their discipline and gave away too many penalties.
The biggest problem for Wayne Pivac's team was the amount they visited their opponents twenty-two without coming away with any points at all.
The All Blacks were just too good going forward and the Welsh struggled to keep them at bay, all too often.
- Kieran Davies
FT: Wales 23-55 New Zealand
Beauden Barrett strikes a beautiful conversion from the touchline.
After utilising their penalty, kicking for touch, they were able to score a try from the resulting lineout.
Strong performance from the All Blacks today.
- Kieran Davies
Try – Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand)
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-48 New Zealand
80. Ardie Savea is awarded the man of the match award.
Deserved to say the least.
Aaron Smith and Jordie Barrett were both in the mix for the award too.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-48 New Zealand
78. A real family connection as Beauden Barrett converts the try.
The All Blacks really turn the screw in the final stages of the game.
Wales are struggling to contain them now.
- Kieran Davies
Try – Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
74. New Zealand come forward.
Utilising the penalty to kick for touch into the corner.
All Blacks hungry for more points.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
72. Wales are still probing in the All Blacks twenty-two.
This is the difference between these two sides.
New Zealand claim a lot more points from territory in their opponent's twenty-two.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
70. Wales are looking to drive from halfway.
Penalty-advantage is awarded to the Welsh.
Opting to kick from touch from the penalty.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
68. New Zealand have a lineout on their own tryline.
Clean win by the All Blacks and then clearing the ball.
Game management now for New Zealand.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
66. Rare moment where Richie Mo’unga doesn't convert the try.
Wales have struggled to contain the All Blacks.
They need to try and find a way back into this game.
- Kieran Davies
Try – Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
64. Penalty advantage to the All Blacks as they attack.
They are literally a yard from the Welsh try-line.
Kiwis are knocking on the door again.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
62. The All Blacks come forward again.
They just seem able to go through Wales like a hot knife through butter.
Pivac's team are struggling to keep the Kiwis out here.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
60. There is still plenty of this game left for Wales to change things.
It seems for all their good work going forward, they are too prone to the odd error in defence which is harshly punished by their opponents.
Scrum to the All Blacks for a knock-on from Wales.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
58. Wales are unlucky there.
Tomos Williams breaks down the left, as he draws in the tackles from the All Blacks, he releases to Justin Tipuric.
As he takes it in and is heading towards the line, the referee brings it back for an infringement.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
56. Wales have a lineout but it isn't clean.
The ball is taken backwards as they look to regain possession.
Pivac's team are trying their best to get back into this game.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
54. The All Blacks just seem to be able to score at will.
Richie Mo’unga sends the conversion through the posts.
Whenever Wales get close to their opponents they seem to just open up more of a lead to stay out of touch.
- Kieran Davies
Try – Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
- Kieran Davies
Wales 23-29 New Zealand
52. TMO decides there is no clear and obvious knock-on so the try is awarded.
Anscombe sends the conversion over the posts.
Wales are right back in this game with only 6 points the difference.
- Kieran Davies
Try – Justin Tipuric (Wales)
- Kieran Davies
Wales 16-29 New Zealand
50. We are waiting for TMO to decide on a potential try.
Justin Tipuric goes over the line but there are a number of issues.
It is a potential knock on in the build up and whether Tipuric actually picks the ball up cleanly to go over or knocks on.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 16-29 New Zealand
48. Mo’unga converts cool as ice as ever.
What a run that was by Aaron Smith, weaving his way amongst the Welsh players and darting in to score.
Tommy Refell will be disappointed with his part to play in that try.
- Kieran Davies
Try – Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Source: Read Full Article