Wales vs New Zealand LIVE: Result and reaction from autumn international fixture today
Follow all the action from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff as Wales take on the All Blacks
Depleted Wales lost captain Alun Wyn Jones to injury and suffered a 32nd successive defeat against New Zealand as the All Blacks triumphed 54-16 in Cardiff.
Jones hurt the same shoulder that threatened to sideline him from this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa before he made a startling recovery and started all three Tests.
Flanker Ross Moriarty also departed early after Wales went into action without 20 players – including a number of Lions – due to injuries, illness and Gallagher Premiership-based personnel not being released by their clubs as the game fell outside World Rugby’s international window. None of that strife bothered New Zealand in extending a relentless winning run against Wales. They are unbeaten in the fixture since 1953.
Beauden Barrett’s try double, in his 100th Test, plus TJ Perenara, Will Jordan, Dalton Papalii, Sevu Reece and Anton Lienert-Brown touchdowns kept New Zealand in charge, while Jordie Barrett kicked 19 points.
Depleted Wales lost captain Alun Wyn Jones to injury and suffered a 32nd successive defeat against New Zealand as the All Blacks triumphed 54-16 in Cardiff
Jones hurt the same shoulder that threatened to sideline him from this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa before he made a startling recovery and started all three Tests.
Flanker Ross Moriarty also departed early after Wales went into action without 20 players – including a number of Lions – due to injuries, illness and Gallagher Premiership-based personnel not being released by their clubs as the game fell outside World Rugby’s international window.
New Zealand overpower depleted Wales with big win in Cardiff
The hosts lost captain Alun Wyn Jones to injury early in the first half.
Farewell!
That just about does us for our coverage this evening. A brilliant late surge sealed a comfortable victory for New Zealand, extending Wales’ streak of defeats for at least another year.
We’ll be back tomorrow to see how New Zealand Women fare - the Black Ferns are playing their first Test in 26 months as they take on Simon Middleton’s England at Sandy Park in Exeter. The world number ones vs the world champions - blockbuster!
Do join us for that, but until then, do stay safe and well and thank you for joining us.
Next up!
Seven days for Wales to dust themselves off and patch themselves up for another bruising battle with South Africa. They will be replenished by some of their England-based players but will Alun Wyn Jones be fit to win his 150th cap? You would think that Wayne Pivac will need his on-field leader against the might and mass of the Springboks.
New Zealand, meanwhile, are Rome-bound for another encounter with a team coached by a Kiwi - Kieran Crowley’s Italy are their opponents next week.
And here’s Wayne Pivac
“We are very happy with where we were at 28-16 with eighteen minutes to go, but the All Blacks made us pay for mistakes. We’ll learn a lot from that game. It’s another example of the small margins.
“A couple of intercepts don’t help. A silly penalty after we scored let them in. You are always going to have a look at some decisions but the officials come up with the decisions they come up with.
“I thought Taine Basham was excellent in the seven jersey, and I am sure there are some other individuals who put their hand up today.”
Jonathan Davies is next to face the microphone
“Credit to New Zealand - it shows why they are one of the best teams in the world,” the centre says of Wales’ defeat. “We were able to stay in it but the accuracy and the way they executed, they don’t let you get away with any mistakes.
“We know as a group the more time we spend together, the better we get, so we are looking forward to next week in front of this crowd. We’ve got to make sure we keep learning.”
Winning captain Sam Whitelock reflects on a fine All Blacks victory
“It felt like we had a great preparation this week. It has been amazing, even in our bubble - it’s been a great atmosphere. The boys lifted to it. I thought Beaudy and his little brother were awesome.
“I think if you look at Beaudy it shows the quality of the man. For him to put all of it to the side and put us on the front foot straight away it shows what he is like. That is why he has won 100 caps.
“We wanted to ramp it up a little bit in the second half. I took a couple of shots at goal because it was close. The Welsh boys were big and physical and there are a number of guys on both sides who have got bruised bodies - it was hard out there.”
Moments of magnificence from the All Blacks
It is a reasonably familiar script for New Zealand but they were simply outstanding in that final quarter. I think this might have been the pick of their scores - how about the control on that little pitching wedge from Jordie Barrett?
Beauden Barrett speaks to Amazon Prime
“I’m somewhat relieved it is over. It has been a tense week because of all the support that has rolled in. What a place to do it - the Welsh fans are hard to beat.
“We always had to work against a very good Welsh side. I am proud of our boys. We showed various ways we can play and adapted well to the yellow card.
“I just wanted to focus on playing well but tonight I’ll enjoy the boys’ company and thank everyone who has helped me. It is a very competitive team to be a part of and we all push each other.”
FT: Wales 16-54 New Zealand
Alun Wyn Jones has a chat with All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, no sling or apparent discomfort for the stricken Welsh lock - will he win cap 150 next week?
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