Wales vs New Zealand LIVE rugby: Latest score and updates from autumn international
Wayne Pivac’s side are looking to end a 69-year losing streak against the All Blacks
Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith and Codie Taylor all scored two tries apiece to lead New Zealand to a dominant 55-23 win over Wales in their test at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
The outstanding Ardie Savea and replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho got the other tries as the All Blacks outscored their hosts eight tries to two in a winning start to their three-test British tour, while Richie Mo’unga kicked over one penalty and four conversions and Beauden Barrett the last two conversions.
Debutant winger Rio Dyer and captain Justin Tipuric went over for Wales with Gareth Anscombe adding the other 13 points with his boot, having been moved to fullback from flyhalf in a late change to the starting line-up when Leigh Halfpenny pulled out.
The All Blacks proved an imposing force from start to finish, moving quickly to temper the anticipatory mood of a sold-out Cardiff crowd and reinforce their status as the game’s superpower.
TRY! Wales 23-36 NEW ZEALAND (Aaron Smith, 53 minutes)
An audacious dummy from Ardie Savea and Aaron Smith is in for his second!
It’s a try-a-minute all of a sudden! New Zealand swiftly win the ball back deep in Welsh territory, and Savea produces a trademark exaggerated feint, hurling the ball up to his shoulder but no further, with Nicky Smith buying every bit of it.
The replacement prop grabs an ankle, but Savea’s offload sends in his scrum-half for another gleeful leap for the line.
TRY! WALES 23-29 New Zealand (Justin Tipuric try, 52 minutes)
Wayne Barnes’ can’t see an obvious knock on from either Priestland or Tipuric - the try stands!
That’s a big call. It looked, to me, like Tipuric never quite actually gathered the ball as he stooped to pick it up, using the turf to take some sort of control of it as he slid over before losing it again. But it was a try on the field, and TMO Brian MacNeice is content enough - Wales are right back in it!
Try? Justin Tipuric collects and dives over but is there a knock-on in the build-up?
A box kick from Tomos Williams spills free from the arms of Richie Mo’unga and Rhys Priestland, jostling in the air, before Tipuric tries to scoop and score. There’s a suspicion that both might have gone forward from Welsh hands - the officials will have a look...
Wales 16-29 New Zealand, 50 minutes
New Zealand have generally been pretty loose from Wales’ restarts today, and the All Blacks again grant the hosts possession after the game gets back underway.
TRY! Wales 16-29 NEW ZEALAND (Aaron Smith try, 47 minutes)
A sensational solo score from Aaron Smith!
That is a piece of brilliance from the veteran scrum-half, not a noted sniper but pinpoint here. New Zealand have an advantage and the Welsh fringe defenders are guilty of getting their eyes up early to those outside Smith, allowing him a chance to dance between them. Tommy Reffell and Dillon Lewis are left clutching at air.
Louis Rees-Zammit should grab in the backfield, but Smith darts off the right foot, jinking by the last defender and racing away from a retreating Alun Wyn Jones to slide in by the posts.
PENALTY! WALES 16-22 New Zealand (Gareth Anscombe penalty, 46 minutes)
Another simple one for Gareth Anscombe to close the gap further.
Wales 13-22 New Zealand, 44 minutes
Penalty to Wales as the crowd’s energy lifts. Rhys Priestland rather wastes the advantage with a curious little stabbed grubber - back for a kick at goal.
Wales 13-22 New Zealand, 43 minutes
Loose from New Zealand, and excellent attacking position for Wales! Aaron Smith throws a horrible skudder of a pass, Shannon Frizell knocking on at his ankles, and Taulupe Faletau ensures Tomos Williams’ fly-hack is a good’un, snatching the shoelaces of Beauden Barrett and rolling the New Zealand full-back into touch.
Wales 13-22 New Zealand, 42 minutes
Each side feels the other out with a series of early second-half carries. A ball breaks favourably for Aaron Smith, who lifts a delicate box kick over the top, but Gareth Anscombe safely deals with a high hop, surviving Jordie Barrett’s tackle and allowing his teammates to clear.
Back underway
Alun Wyn Jones is on at the half - Adam Beard has been removed as Wayne Pivac turns to his most experienced head. Dillon Lewis is on, too, with Tomas Francis not re-emerging.
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