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.
Wales 7-17 New Zealand, 28 minutes
A vital seven points, those, for Wales, but the All Blacks look in a fluent attacking mood. Again the visitors’ carriers bash back tacklers, generating rapid ball, with Ardie Savea and Rieko Ioane prominent and the clearers secure to prevent Justin Tipuric and Tommy Reffreell getting into their scavenging work.
A change of strategy, then - Tipuric ploughs in to a relatively unguarded breakdown and wins the ball with a counter-ruck, forcing New Zealand to infringe just outside the Welsh 22.
TRY! WALES 7-17 New Zealand (Rio Dyer try, 26 minutes)
A brilliant set-piece strike and Rio Dyer has a debut try!
Wales draw in the New Zealand forwards with the threat of the maul, but instead it is over to the backs. Nick Tompkins is the distributor, holding his feet as the defence come on, with George North’s hard charge on the angle the misdirection. Dyer loops out he back, collecting Tompkins’ pull-back pass and galloping over by the posts.
Wales 0-17 New Zealand, 24 minutes
Up into double figures goes the phase count, and onwards further still, with Wales making limited progress. Rieko Ioane is up swiftly to shut down any outside threat.
Finally, Wales force an error - a breakdown penalty grants everyone a chance to refill puffing lungs and Wales an opportunity to explore the left-hand corner.
Wales 0-17 New Zealand, 22 minutes
Penalty to Wales as a tackler fails to vacate the ruck space as Ardie Savea competes for the ball.
A second visit to the New Zealand 22 for Wales, and their trip is short-lived - the New Zealand defence drives them back over the border.
TRY! Wales 0-17 NEW ZEALAND (Codie Taylor try, 19 minutes)
Two for Codie Taylor! Ardie Savea, genuinely everywhere so far, taps and goes quickly, and two carries later, Taylor is at the double.
Over goes a simple conversion to further extend the All Blacks’ advantage.
Wales 0-10 New Zealand, 18 minutes
New Zealand are over the gainline with virtually every carry. Tommy Reffell is told to leave the ball alone as he tries to jackal; Justin Tipuric too.
The ball spills free, and is in Welsh hands...but illegally so...
Wales 0-10 New Zealand, 16 minutes
Both sides a little loose with their handling - Ethan de Groot turns his eyes to the advancing defence as Aaron Smith fizzes the ball to the prop at first receiver. Welsh scrum.
But that’s sharp from the record-breaker: Aaron Smith snares Tomos Williams, forcing a knock-on, which is upgraded to a penalty when an offside Welshman plays at it.
Wales 0-10 New Zealand, 14 minutes
All a bit all over the place from the Welsh attack, the ball slow, the carriers static. Tomas Francis is rather tossed the ball in hope rather than expectation, and though the tighthead gathers steam, he can’t keep hold of the ball as he takes contact. Knock on, New Zealand scrum...
...At which a penalty goes against Francis for being too low in his set-up.
Wales 0-10 New Zealand, 13 minutes
Wales need a foothold - might that be it? Shannon Frizell makes a mess of his gather from the latest Welsh restart - put off, perhaps, by a leap from Rio Dyer close to him - and the hosts will have a scrum in advanced territory.
TRY! Wales 0-10 NEW ZEALAND (Codie Taylor try, 11 minutes)
And there it is for Codie Taylor!
Papali’i’s initial break was sparked by an outstanding steal from Ardie Savea at the breakdown, and the number eight is in close proximity again as New Zealand work up through the phases and closer and closer to the line. Taylor has the helping hands and heft of Scott Barrett at his rear as he drives around the corner, and over the hooker goes for the first try.
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