All Blacks v Wales recap: Scott Robertson’s men end season with big win in Cardiff
All the action as the All Blacks beat Wales 52-26 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
That's all folks
Benjamin Plummer
And there it is, another All Blacks season in the books. While the men in black aren't basking in Grand Slam glory, they have recorded a big win in Cardiff to ease their pain from a loss to England last weekend.
A 10-3 win/loss record would not have been want Scott Robertson was wanting for the second year of his tenure, but he still has his eyes firmly set on 2027 World Cup triumph.
Thank you for joining our coverage of this chaotic Cardiff clash. We'll be here throughout the day with more All Blacks content, so be sure to come back for that.
Until then, have a great Sunday New Zealand.
'We're just fine margins away' - Scott Robertson
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Speaking to Sky Sport, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said the game was "everything we expected".
"It's a tough place to come. Human spirit is quite interesting, they had everything against them. Everything to gain and nothing to lose."
Robertson appeared hesitant to rank the All Blacks' season, but said there were places where they could improve.
"There's just so much good in the team. We feel like we're just fine margins away and we're just working on those fine margins."
He said they endured the most injuries they've ever had in an All Blacks season, which made consistency difficult.
All Blacks' schedule
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The All Blacks will next take the field in July for their opening three fixtures of the new Nations Championship against France, Italy and Ireland before embarking on the "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour" of South Africa in August and September.
They'll round out their 2026 season against Scotland, Wales and England in the Northern Hemisphere for their closing three fixtures of the Nations Championship in November.
Liam Napier reports from Cardiff
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'Pleased' - Scott Barrett
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All Blacks captain Scott Barrett told Sky Sport he was "immensely proud" of the group for finishing the tour on a positive note.
"I guess pleased is a word that describes it.
"We wanted to play 80 minutes of rugby that we could be proud of and I think we did that for the most part tonight."
Asked how he felt two years out from a World Cup, Barrett said there would be plenty of time to reflect at home over summer.
"For now we'll just celebrate the occasion tonight playing at an amazing stadium and some guys took some great opportunities tonight.
"We won't look too far forward or too far back, we'll just enjoy tonight."
'We're going to back ourselves' - Wallace Sititi
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Speaking to Sky Sport after the game, man of the match Wallace Sititi said the All Blacks had a "tough old week" last week.
"Obviously didn't get want we wanted in terms of a Grand Slam, but it was important for us to come out here and put on a performance that we could be proud of for our family back home, country that's supporting us and for ourselves.
"They're a strong outfit. We know whenever teams come to play us, they're always going to bring their best, so we had to front up there."
Asked about criticism on the All Blacks' season after three losses, Sititi said "bring it on".
"[If] they want to criticise us, that's fair play to them, they're entitled to their opinion.
"We believe in what we're doing here and we believe we're building well and we're going to back ourselves every day. If you don't want to be there, don't be there, but we're going to back ourselves."
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The All Blacks have ended their season with a big win over Wales in Cardiff.
It may not be a Grand Slam, but it's a good way to end a pretty turbulent season.
Fulltime
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Sevu Reece taps and boots the ball into the stands.
And that is all she wrote.
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Jordan can't take the restart cleanly for the All Blacks as Wales storm to within 10m of the line.
They're wanting to finish this one with a bang, but Wales are penalised for an obstruction!
The All Blacks take the quick tap but Wales are offside. It's intercepted and Wales are penalised again.
All Blacks Try
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They aren't going anywhere so Hardy goes to the air. It's won well by Jordan in the contest.
The All Blacks spread it to the backline as Fainga'anuku finds himself in some space. He gets a great one-handed offload away to Ioane, who links up with Caleb Clarke. Clarke goes over again!
McKenzie adds the extras again.
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Wales take down the restart and are wanting to run it out of their own 22 with two minutes left on the clock.
Wales Try
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Louis Rees-Zammit goes over with an outstanding finish!
Wales went right and it looked like it'd be impossible to score, but the winger reaches out superman style and scores!
What a put-down.
The extras can't be added from the sideline.
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The lineout is won by Wales and they get a good maul going this time, working their way to within 10m of the tryline.
Dewi Lake goes on a strong run and they're 5m out now. The All Blacks' defence is holding strong though as Wales rack up the phases.
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A messy scrum from Wales but they're able to get it out. They're under pressure as they spread it left before Max Llewellyn runs it into the All Blacks' half.
Wallace Sititi is penalised for a ruck infringement. Jarrod Evans kicks for touch and finds in inside the All Blacks' 22.
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Seven minutes remain in Cardiff.
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Lord secures the restart for the All Blacks as they run it touch of their own 22.
Fainga'anuku links up with Clarke, who goes on a good run before giving it back to Fainga'anuku, and then Jordan.
They look sharp before the ball is lost by the All Blacks. It's called a knock on and Wales will have a scrum feed on their own 40m line.
All Blacks Try
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It's won again by Lord as the All Blacks look to put the final nail in the coffin.
They threaten the tryline as Fainga'anuku goes very close down the left touchline.
There's a massive overlap out right but a messy pass by Jordan gives Wales time to scramble across. Reece cleans it up, puts on a step and beats the final defender to cross over for his second of the night!
McKenzie converts again.
Wales Yellow Card
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Wales have another in the bin!
The TMO looks at that tackle from Plumtree on Jordan and his shoulder has connected with Jordan's head.
Plumtree will have a seat in the naughty chair as their other yellow card returns to the field.
McKenzie finds touch inside Wales' 22.
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Lord takes down the throw for his first touch of the game. The All Blacks want to run here as Jordan is taken in a big tackle by Plumtree.
McKenzie goes to the air and Reece regathers it uncontested. The All Blacks opt for a kick again but Wales win it this time.
They go back for a penalty against Wales.
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Josh Lord replaces Fabian Holland.
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It's a strong scrum for the All Blacks as Wales are penalised for not driving straight.
A bit let-off for the All Blacks as McKenzie finds touch just inside Wales' half.
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The All Blacks don't contest the lineout again but there's a small knock on from Wales. More issues at set piece for Wales as they blow another chance for points.
The All Blacks have a scrum just inside their 22.
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The throw isn't straight but the All Blacks don't contest as Wales have another chance to attack here.
It goes through the hands out to Rees-Zammit, who puts on a tidy step and shows his speed to take Wales up to the 22.
They can't make much of it though as they come back for a penalty against Rieko Ioane for tackling a man off the ball near the 40.
Wales find touch inside the All Blacks' 22.
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Lienert-Brown fields another restart as he takes the hit-up. McKenzie exits and finds touch near the All Blacks 40m line.
All Blacks Try
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The All Blacks go to their lineout again, but don't maul this time.
They attack the midfield before spreading it back out right. There's an overlap as the ball goes through the hands out to Sevu Reece, who goes over in the right corner.
The numerical advantage was all it took.
McKenzie nails another conversion from the sideline.
Wales Yellow Card
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After all that defence, Wales are penalised for a no-arms tackle. They were on a warning so Hollie Williams reaches for the pocket.
Gareth Thomas is sent to the bin as the clock nears the hour mark.
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Holland takes the lineout and the All Blacks maul again. He looks to break away but it's taken well by Wales.
Lienert-Brown and Bower threaten the line with strong carries.
There's numbers out right but a loose pass from Scott Barrett denies Reece a chance to go over.
It's incredible defence from Wales as the All Blacks tick over to 15 phases.
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The All Blacks maul up towards the 22 again before it's spread out to the backs in Jordan.
They're under penalty advantage for an infringement at the lineout before Pasilio Tosi is smashed in a big tackle and knocks it on.
We go back to the penalty and the All Blacks go for touch again. They'll have a lineout 8m out.
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Sevu Reece comes on for Ruben Love.
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Barrett wins the lineout and McKenzie puts down a long kick. The sides trade kicks again before Blair Murray runs it up to halfway for Wales.
Will Jordan gets over the ball and wins the penalty for the All Blacks!
McKenzie kicks for touch and finds it just outside Wales' 22.
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The restart is secured by the All Blacks but they are wanting to pass. It finds Clarke, who tries to exit, but it's charged by Wales and bounces into touch.
The All Blacks have a lineout on their own 22.
All Blacks Try
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The All Blacks maul off the lineout before Taukei'aho breaks off the back and into space, taking them into the Welsh 22.
The All Blacks are playing under penalty advantage here as McKenzie kicks cross-field to Jordan near the right touchline. It sails over Jordan's head and is cleaned up by Ioane.
Ioane takes on the final Welsh defender and is able to get it down! It goes to the TMO again but the try is awarded this time. The All Blacks finally get one.
McKenzie converts from the right touchline.
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The goal line restart is fielded by Sititi, who winds up on a punishing run again.
It's spread right to Jordan who puts through a chip kick but Wales call mark inside their 22.
They kick for touch off the free kick and find it up near the 40m line.
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It's taken cleanly by Holland, who tries to pass it off the top of the lineout to Kirifi, but it goes to ground.
Will Jordan cleans it up and takes on multiple Welsh defenders. The winger goes over! That is some kind of strength.
The try is awarded before it's sent upstairs again. After some deliberation, it's determined the on-field decision will stand. But referee Hollie Williams has changed her on-field decision now and calls it held up.
A second try scrubbed out in as many minutes for the All Blacks! Wales are hanging in there.
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The All Blacks turn down the easy shot at goal and opt for touch. They have a lineout about 7m from the line.
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Caleb Clarke goes over again... Or does he?
It took 13 phases before the All Blacks spread the ball left to Jordan. He gets a great tip pass away to Clarke who breaks a couple of tackles and goes over under the post.
McKenzie converts before the decision goes up to the TMO for a potential knock-on in the lead-up. It was Kirifi who fumbled it on the ground.
The try is scrubbed out but Wales are penalised for playing the man on the ground.
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It's a good scrum as Ratima passes it to the midfield and Lienert-Brown takes the All Blacks into the 22.
They're building phases now but Wales' defence is holding strong.
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Plumtree can't take the restart for Wales again and spills it forward. The All Blacks have it on Wales' 22.
They play under the advantage and it's intercepted by Wales, but we go back for the knock on.
The crowd aren't happy. The All Blacks will have a scrum just outside the 22.
Wales Try
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Williams goes to the air again for Wales and it's tapped back by the home side. Plumtree runs Wales up to the All Blacks' 22 before it's distributed to the backline.
There's an overlap out left! Love misses a tackle and Rogers is passed the ball. Hattrick for the winger!
Wales are right in this as Edwards converts from the left touchline.
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Wales takes down the restart cleanly and Tomos Williams goes straight to the air. Will Jordan gets up and wins the contest on halfway.
The All Blacks look to run before McKenzie goes to the air this time, and Jordan wins another contest.
They opt for another kick through Love but it's charged down by Wales and they have the ball inside the All Blacks' half.
Second half
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Forty minutes remain in the All Blacks' season. Will they end the year with a win or will the Welsh make some history and emerge victorious over the black jersey for the first time since 1953?
Love will get us underway again at Millennium Stadium. Doesn't look like any changes for the All Blacks.
Halftime stats
Cameron McMillan
Carries
Wallace Sititi 11
Anton Lienert-Brown 9
Caleb Clarke 9
Ruben Love 7
Simon Parker 7
Tackles completed
Dafydd Jenkins 11
Alex Mann 11
Harri Deaves 11
Dewi Lake 9
Taine Plumtree 9
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Well Wales have proven they won't just lay down and endure an All Blacks barrage on their home turf.
It was a strong start for the All Blacks, scoring in the fourth minute before Wales locked up the scores.
Good tries to Williams and Love have given the All Blacks a 10-point buffer at half time, but they won't be overly happy with their performance. More issues with the aerial battle is keeping Wales in it.
Halftime stats
Cameron McMillan
Territory
Wales 57% All Blacks 43%
Possession
Wales 33% All Blacks 67%
Tackles made
Wales 108 All Blacks 38
Tackles missed
Wales 24 All Blacks 6
Penalties conceded
Wales 6 All Blacks 2
Halftime
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They're awarded a free kick at the scrum and Sititi taps. The All Blacks aren't interested in kicking it out but it's knocked on.
There's a bit of niggle as the halftime whistle is blown, but it's nothing more than some push and shove.
That'll be all she wrote for the first half in Cardiff.
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The throw is called not straight at the lineout as Wales cough the ball up again.
The All Blacks will have a scrum here as the halftime hooter sounds.
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Love fields the restart and goes straight to touch, finding it 30m from the All Blacks' line with a minute left on the clock.
All Blacks Try
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Taukei'aho throws to the front to Holland and the All Blacks' maul is taken down straight away.
Williams is given the ball and is hit hard by two Welsh forwards but refuses to go down. He takes on two more and powers over the line to score! That is some kind of strength from the big prop.
McKenzie converts again from out left.
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Three minutes left in the first half as the All Blacks kick for touch. They'll have a lineout 7m from the line.
Play is stopped momentarily as a Welsh prop gets some attention from the medics.
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The All Blacks distribute to the backline quickly as Lienert-Brown attacks the line in the midfield.
They're into Wales' 22 now as the forwards roll up their sleeves.
Lienert-Brown slips a tackle and is taken about 10m from the line. Wales are penalised again.
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Plumtree can't take the restart cleanly for Wales and knocks it on. The All Blacks will have a scrum just outside the Welsh 22.
Wales Try
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Wales are hot on the attack now as they storm into the All Blacks' 22 through Plumtree.
They're playing under penalty advantage as Tomos Williams stabs through a deft grubber, which is regathered by Wales. There's numbers out left and Rogers goes over again!
Edwards converts from wide left and the gap is narrowed to three.
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Wales win the lineout through Alex Mann and they go straight to the air.
Love isn't able to take it cleanly and it falls for Joe Hawkins, who stabs through a grubber. Will Jordan cleans it up near the All Blacks' tryline and gets a kick away that finds touch near their 22.
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Lienert-Brown secures the restart again before McKenzie exits, finding touch near halfway.
All Blacks Try
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The goal line dropout is secured by the All Blacks and Wallace Sititi winds up, running full speed back at the Welsh - you wouldn't want to get in front of that!
They build a couple of phases before it's passed to Love, who puts on a right-foot step, a fend and wins the footrace to the tryline.
A great try from Love.
McKenzie converts from the right of the posts.
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Edwards sends a long kick down to Love on the All Blacks' 22. He goes on a small run before putting up a bomb, contested by Will Jordan, but Tomos Williams secures it.
Murray returns fire and Caleb Clarke wins a good contest. McKenzie looks to kick deep into Wales' half but it rolls too far and Wales force the ball.
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Into the 27th minute here as Wales are awarded a free kick at scrum time for the All Blacks engaging early.
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It's won by the All Blacks and used straight away. They build a couple of phases before Ioane looks to break the line.
Ratima distributes right and it's spilled forward by Tamaiti Williams. Wales have a scrum just outside their own 22.
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Into Wales' half as they All Blacks continue to run the ball. Wales are penalised again for not rolling away.
The next one will go to the sin bin, says referee Hollie Williams.
The All Blacks kick for touch and find just outside Wales' 22.
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The All Blacks are wanting to run here as Caleb Clarke threatens again. It's spread back left where Taukei'aho is waiting.
The hooker goes on a strong run, beating one defender before bumping off Rees-Zammit.
The All Blacks win the penalty and find touch near Wales' 40m line.
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Wales win the lineout this time and set a maul before distributing for the backline.
Prop Rhys Carre goes very close for Wales before Tosi gets over the ball and wins the penalty for the All Blacks.
They kick for touch and find it near their own 40m line.
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The throw is not straight, but Scott Barrett is penalised for taking the jumper in the air.
Dan Edwards kicks for touch and it's a massive one! Wales will have a lineout 15m from the tryline.
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It's thrown over the back to former Blues player Taine Plumtree, who attacks the All Blacks' defensive line before Wales put up a box kick.
The All Blacks knock it on before Wales kick again. The All Blacks send down another kick and it rolls into touch near Wales' 22.
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It's stolen against the throw by Scott Barrett.
Damian McKenzie gets a long-ranging kick away to Rees-Zammit, who returns fire and the All Blacks run it from their own 22.
The sides trade kicks again before McKenzie finds touch near Wales' 40m line.
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Ratima kicks from the base again and Wales secure it on halfway.
Samisoni Taukei'aho is penalised for not releasing the carrier. Wales turn down the shot at goal and opt for touch.
They'll have a lineout inside the All Blacks' 22.
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Lienert-Brown takes down the restart before Ratima goes to the air again.
It's messy but Wales come up with it near halfway before sending a kick back of their own.
Another messy contest but the All Blacks have the ball near their own 22.
All Blacks Penalty
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No trouble for McKenzie from 30m straight out in front. The All Blacks hit the lead again.
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Wales exit straight away off the restart, but can't find touch and play is taken up to halfway by the All Blacks.
Ratima puts up a box kick but it's too deep and the home side field it with ease. Wales give away a penalty though.
McKenzie will take a shot at goal.
Wales Try
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Another lineout win for the All Blacks and they build some phases before Will Jordan coughs up the ball near halfway.
Wales don't make very much ground before Tomos Williams puts up a box kick. McKenzie tries to get up and contest for the All Blacks but it's won by Louis Rees-Zammit.
They've got numbers out left and they spread it wide to Tom Rogers who goes over for Wales!
Edwards converts from out wide and it's all locked up.
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Holland wins the lineout again and they maul this time. It's spread left to Clarke who threatens before the All Blacks stab through a kick.
It's cleaned up by Blair Murray who gets an exit kick away for Wales.
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The restart is taken down again by the All Blacks and Ratima goes aerial again. It doesn't go very far but Wales tap it back and it rolls into touch.
The All Blacks will have a lineout on their 40m line.
All Blacks Try
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The first lineout of the game is won by Holland and the All Blacks use it straight off the top.
Pasilio Tosi goes on a barnstorming run into the 22 before it's distributed to McKenzie in the backline.
It finds the hands of Love who draws in multiple Welsh defenders before linking up with Caleb Clarke who strides over the line for the opening try in the fifth minute.
McKenzie converts from the touchline.
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Ratima goes to the air again and Will Jordan regathers for the All Blacks near halfway before Wales are penalised for being offside.
Damian McKenzie opts for touch and finds it near the Welsh 22.
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The All Blacks take down the opening kick and Cortez Ratima goes straight to the air, but doesn't find touch.
Blair Murray wins the contest and goes on a great run, breaking a couple All Blacks tackles before the sides trade box kicks again.
The All Blacks look to break the line, running it out of their own 22 and make their way up to the 40m line.
Kickoff
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And we're away at Millennium Stadium.
Dan Edwards of Wales kicks us off.
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Rieko Ioane leads Kapa o Pango for the final All Blacks test of the year.
The crowd tries to drown it out. We're set for a beauty here.
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Emotions aplenty for the Welsh as their anthem is sung loud throughout Millennium Stadium.
Such passion, awesome to see.
We're all set for the haka now.
Lucky there's a roof
Cameron McMillan
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We're all set for the national anthems now.
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Scott Barrett leads the All Blacks onto Millennium Stadium. What a spectacular atmosphere.
Don't go anywhere folks
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We're not far away from first whistle in Cardiff as the All Blacks look to keep end their season with a win.
Wales meanwhile are hunting their first win over the All Blacks since 1953.
Liam Napier in Cardiff
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Rugby writer and part-time weather correspondent Liam Napier gives an update from Millennium Stadium:
"Pissing down outside mate but roof closed so perfect conditions."
All Blacks v Wales last 10 meetings
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2022 - All Blacks 55 Wales 23, Cardiff
2021 - All Blacks 54 Wales 16, Cardiff
2019 - All Blacks 40 Wales 17, Tokyo
2017 - All Blacks 33 Wales 18, Cardiff
2016 - All Blacks 46 Wales 6, Dunedin
2016 - All Blacks 36 Wales 22, Wellington
2016 - All Blacks 39 Wales 21, Auckland
2014 - All Blacks 34 Wales 16, Cardiff
2012 - All Blacks 33 Wales 10, Cardiff
2010 - All Blacks 37 Wales 25, Cardiff
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Key to aerial dominance in Cardiff
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Beating Wales won’t necessarily bring the All Blacks much in the way of redemption, but they could restore an element of faith in their general direction of travel if they can definitively win the inevitable aerial battle that will break out at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Gregor Paul spoke to Will Jordan on the key to aerial dominance in Cardiff.
The history
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Wales have struggled of late, currently sitting 12th in the World Rugby rankings and end the year with tests against the All Blacks and South Africa.
The Welsh haven’t beaten New Zealand since 1953, the coronation year of Queen Elizabeth II while Winston Churchill was British prime minister. All Black Bill McCaw, who passed away in March, was the last surviving member of that 1953 test.
In their past 10 meetings, Wales haven’t got within 10 points of the All Blacks with the closest defeat being 37-25 win 2010. The All Blacks have put 50 on them the past two times the sides have met.
NZR’s deficit between promise and performance
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Until recently, the deficit New Zealand Rugby was most troubled by was the gap between money going out and money coming in.
Gregor Paul breaks down how the problem has morphed, and what is holding New Zealand Rugby (NZR) back now is a deficit between its commercial ambition and its high-performance capability.
What went wrong at Twickenham?
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The All Blacks' Grand Slam hopes were buried in London last weekend by a spirited English outfit, losing 33-19 at Twickenham.
Former All Black halfback turned commentator Ant Strachan breaks down what went wrong for Scott Robertson's men and what they need to do to emerge victorious in Cardiff.
Davidson to become first female to referee All Blacks test
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Hollie Davidson will become the first female to referee an All Blacks test after being appointed to the final test of the season against Wales.
Davidson recently took charge of her second Women’s Rugby World Cup final, joining Andre Watson as the only other referee to oversee two finals.
The 33-year-old Scot also refereed the 2021 final when the Black Ferns edged England at Eden Park, when she sent off England’s Lydia Thompson.
Davidson was recently named World Rugby’s referee of the year and oversaw her first Springboks test in July when South Africa beat Italy 42-24.
Love savours second test start
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Ruben Love’s second test start has been a long time coming. Four months to be exact.
With speed, silky skills, confidence under the high ball and maturity beyond his 24 years, Love is the future of the All Blacks playmaking ranks.
Liam Napier spoke to the fullback in Cardiff ahead of the Northern Tour closer.
All you need to know
The Grand Slam dream is over, so let’s go back to calling it a Northern Tour. The All Blacks season rolls on for one more test as they finish the 2025 season in Cardiff. Wales have struggled of late, currently sitting 12th in the World Rugby rankings and end the year with tests against the All Blacks and South Africa.
The Welsh haven’t beaten New Zealand since 1953, the coronation year of Queen Elizabeth II while Winston Churchill was British prime minister. All Black Bill McCaw, who passed away in March, was the last surviving member of that 1953 test.
In their past 10 meetings, Wales haven’t got within 10 points of the All Blacks with the closest defeat being 37-25 win 2010. The All Blacks have put 50 on them the past two times the sides have met.
All Blacks v Wales history
Played – 37
All Blacks won – 34
Wales won – 3
Draws – 0
All Blacks points scored – 1219
Wales points scored – 430
All Blacks v Wales TAB odds
All Blacks: $1.01 Draw: $51 Wales: $15
All Blacks v Wales line-ups
All Blacks side to play Wales
1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Ruben Love
Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. Fletcher Newell, 18. George Bower, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Christian Lio-Willie, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 23. Sevu Reece.
Wales side to play All Blacks
1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (capt), 3 Keiron Assiratti, 4 Adam Beard, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 6 Alex Mann, 7 Harri Deaves, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Dan Edwards, 11 Tom Rogers, 12 Joe Hawkins, 13 Max Llewellyn, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 15 Blair Murray.
Bench: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Freddie Thomas, 20 Taine Plumtree, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Nick Tompkins.
All Blacks v Wales last time they met
2022, All Blacks 55 Wales 23
The All Blacks equalled their record high against Wales as Codie Taylor, Jordie Barrett and Aaron Smith all scored doubles. Sam Whitelock was captain, Ian Foster was coach, while Kiwi Wayne Pivac was coach of Wales. A bit has changed since.
Gregor Paul wrote:
If the All Blacks are losing their aura, Wales may be of the view that they are not losing it quickly enough.
An All Blacks side, supposedly vulnerable, ripe for the plucking, produced arguably their best – certainly their most controlled, disciplined and relentless - performance of the year in Cardiff.
It was a performance marked not by its creativity, of which there was precious little, but their commitment to a physical, direct style of ultra-conservative rugby that left Wales feeling that they were the veritable little brother, pinned down on the couch, weakly and hopelessly trying to fight off an opponent that they had neither the strength nor innovation to repel.
This was a victory for brute strength, clarity of thinking and patience to a simple gameplan that was markedly low in ambition.
New Zealand set out to squash Wales and that is exactly what they did.
All Blacks v Wales last 10 meetings
2022 - All Blacks 55 Wales 23, Cardiff
2021 - All Blacks 54 Wales 16, Cardiff
2019 - All Blacks 40 Wales 17, Tokyo
2017 - All Blacks 33 Wales 18, Cardiff
2016 - All Blacks 46 Wales 6, Dunedin
2016 - All Blacks 36 Wales 22, Wellington
2016 - All Blacks 39 Wales 21, Auckland
2014 - All Blacks 34 Wales 16, Cardiff
2012 - All Blacks 33 Wales 10, Cardiff
2010 - All Blacks 37 Wales 25, Cardiff
Form guide (past five tests)
All Blacks: L, W, W, W, L
Wales: W, L, W, L, L
All Blacks v Wales referee
Hollie Davidson will become the first female to referee an All Blacks test after being appointed to the final test of the season against Wales.
Davidson recently took charge of her second Women’s Rugby World Cup final, joining Andre Watson as the only other referee to oversee two finals.
The 33-year-old Scot also refereed the 2021 final when the Black Ferns edged England at Eden Park, when she sent off England’s Lydia Thompson.
Davidson was recently named World Rugby’s referee of the year and oversaw her first Springboks test in July when South Africa beat Italy 42-24.
All Blacks (Northern Tour) schedule
Sunday, November 2, 9.10am – All Blacks 26 Ireland 13, Soldier Field, Chicago
Sunday, November 9, 4.10am – All Blacks 25 Scotland 17, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Sunday, November 16, 4.10am – All Blacks 19 England 33, Twickenham, London
Sunday, November 23, 4.10am – All Blacks v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
All Blacks v Wales – how to follow the action
For live commentary of All Blacks v Wales, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.
You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.