CARDIFF (The Thursday Times) — Wales beat New Zealand for the first time since 1953 on Saturday, holding off a long All Blacks assault to win 35-28 at the Principality Stadium and end a run of 34 straight defeats against them.
Steve Tandy’s side, 20-1 outsiders before kick-off, scored five tries, all converted by fly-half Sam Costelow, in a Nations Championship match that was level at 21-21 at half-time.
Scrum-half Tomos Williams went over in the second minute and captain Dewi Lake added a second four minutes later. Prop Archie Griffin scored the third, but New Zealand drew level by the break through Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, and Fehi Fineanganofo, with Richie Mo’unga converting each.
Centre Eddie James and wing Louis Rees-Zammit then scored within four minutes of the restart to put Wales 14 points clear. Flanker Peter Lakai pulled one back after 53 minutes, and Mo’unga’s conversion left New Zealand a converted try behind.
A wall in the 22
The visitors spent much of the final quarter camped in the Welsh 22 but could not find a way through. Wales won a late line-out after New Zealand were bundled into touch and kept the ball through the final minute.
Flanker James Botham was named player of the match. At half-time, New Zealand had been given a 96% chance of winning.
“Absolutely incredible,” said the former Wales lock Ian Gough. “That was an effort deserving of a win against the All Blacks, and we will all remember where we were during this brilliant Test match.”
About 55,000 fans were in the stadium. Wales’ last win over New Zealand, 13-8 at the old Cardiff Arms Park, came 73 years ago.
The result came a day after France beat South Africa 21-19 at the Stade de France, another upset in the new competition.
