NEW ZEALAND scored seven tries as they beat Wales 54-16 at a packed Principality Stadium on Saturday (Oct 30).
With fans allowed back in to the stadium for the first time since March 2020 the national anthem was belted out before New Zealand responded with their traditional haka.
Beauden Barrett was making his 100th appearance for the All Blacks and it didn’t take him long for him to be involved as he intercepted the ball, after it was kicked into touch for a Welsh lineout, and ran on to score under the posts.
That gave them the lead with only three minutes on the clock and Beaduen’s younger brother Jordie added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Two minutes later Wales got themselves on the scoresheet as Gareth Anscombe, whose pass was intercepted by Beauden Barrett for the opening try, made amends with a penalty.
With ten minutes on the clock Barrett again looked to intercept a pass but this time knocked the ball on. The TMO checked to see if Wales would have had a clear scoring chance.
It was adjudged as just a deliberate knock on and no yellow card was given, much to the disapproval of the Welsh fans.
The All Blacks then increased their lead as Jordie Barrett added a penalty.
There was a blow for the Welsh in the 18th minute as Alun Wyn Jones, making his 149th appearance for his country, passing Richie McCaw’s total for New Zealand, was forced off with an injury.
On 20 minutes, Wales were penalised again for not moving away and after Wales didn’t allow their visitors to take the free kick quickly, New Zealand were marched forwards ten metres, into kicking territory. Jordie Barrett’s attempt though went just wide.
The TMO was called on again a few minutes later as Josh Adams was challenged in the air but the TMO said that Adams had jumped too early and the penalty went New Zealand’s way.
Jordie Barrett then added another penalty to increase New Zealand’s lead to 3-13.
Seven minutes before the break, New Zealand got their second try as TJ Perenara bundled his way over the line. Barrett sent the conversion just wide.
Barrett added a third penalty to make it 18-3 to the visitors.
In a busy first half for the TMO, he was called on again after a tackle on Ross Moriarty. Moriarty ducked his head down and was tackled into Nepo Laulala whose arm caught his head. Laulala was shown a yellow card despite calls for a red from some Welsh fans.
With New Zealand down to 14 with a minute of the half to play Wales kicked to touch but the lineout was won by the All Blacks.
Wales attacked again as the clocked went into the red and after a tackle off the ball Wales decided to kick at goal.
Anscombe sent the penalty through the posts to make it 6-18 at half time.
Five minutes into the second half Wales were penalised again and New Zealand elected to kick at goal. Jordie Barrett sent the ball through the posts to increase his sides’ lead to 15 points.
Replacement Rhys Priestland took over kicking duties and he added another three points to Wales’ score.
With 54 minutes on the clock Will Jordan broke through and kicked ahead and he ran on to touch down for his 16th try on just his 11th appearance for the All Blacks. Jordie Barrett added the extras to make it 9-28.
On the hour mark Wales finally got their first try of the game as Rhys Priestland kicked the ball into the try zone and Johnny Williams got to the ball first to touch the ball down. Priestland added the extras to make it 16-28.
However just three minutes later New Zealand scored another try as Dalton Papalii touched down before Barrett added the extras.
And just a minute after that Sevu Reece and Savea exchanged passes before the former went over for another try. Barrett again added the extras for a 42-16 lead.
Anton Lienert-Brown was next to go over with nine minutes left on the clock and Jordie Barrett was successful with the conversion.
The All Blacks were beginning to turn on the style with some excellent offloads but the final pass went to a Welsh player.
There was still time for one more New Zealand try as Beauden Barrett again intercepted the ball and ran down the right touchline to score his second try of the game. This time, his brother Jordie saw his effort bounce out off the post.
It was a great finish by New Zealand who only lead by 12 points after Wales’ only try on 60 minutes.
Wales will now look to regroup before taking on World Champions South Africa next Saturday, November 6, kick off 5:30pm.
