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Magnificent Wales beat New Zealand for first time since 1953

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Wales established early dominance with quick scores from Tomos Williams and Dewi Lake, though New Zealand fought back to level the match 21-21 at the break. Second-half tries from Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit restored the advantage, complemented by Sam Costelow kicking five conversions from five attempts. A desperate late defensive effort saw James Botham, Jac Morgan, and Dafydd Jenkins repeatedly deny the All Blacks over the goal line.

Key points

  • The historic victory marks the first Welsh triumph over the All Blacks since 1953.: The historic victory marks the first Welsh triumph over the All Blacks since 1953.
  • Resilient defense from forwards James Botham, Jac Morgan, and Dafydd Jenkins successfully…: Resilient defense from forwards James Botham, Jac Morgan, and Dafydd Jenkins successfully protected the second-half lead.
  • Despite suffering the defeat, New Zealand moved past South Africa to top the southern sec…: Despite suffering the defeat, New Zealand moved past South Africa to top the southern section table with one round remaining.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Magnificent Wales end 73-year New Zealand hoodoo

- Published

Nations Championship

Wales (21) 35

Tries: T Williams, Lake, Griffin, James, Rees-Zammit Cons: Costelow 5

New Zealand (21) 28

Tries: Ratima, Sititi, Fineanganofo, Lakai, Cons: Mo'unga 4.

Wales celebrated a first victory against New Zealand in 73 years with a brilliant performance to spark astonishing scenes in Cardiff.

Steve Tandy's unfancied side lifted a nation as they broke a 34-match losing sequence against the All Blacks that stretched back to 1953.

In a nine-try Nations Championship thriller at the Principality Stadium, Wales led 14-0, 21-7 and 35-21 before they held off New Zealand with a wonderful defensive display in the final quarter, led by flankers James Botham and Jac Morgan and lock Dafydd Jenkins.

The home side produced a stunning start with tries from inspirational scrum-half Tomos Williams and captain Dewi Lake inside the first six minutes.

Prop Archie Griffin also added a first-half try, but New Zealand responded with scores from scrum-half Cortez Ratima, number eight Wallace Sititi and wing Fehi Fineanganofo to level the score 21-21 at half-time.

Wales…

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