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.
Wales 16-28 New Zealand, 62 minutes
That’s foolish from Wales, though, blocking a player looking to charge down a clearing kick and conceding a penalty on the edge of their own 22. The All Blacks introduce Sevu Reece on the wing, Brad Weber at scrum-half and an entirely new front row as Beauden Barrett punts for the corner.
TRY! WALES 16-28 New Zealand (Johnny Williams try, 61 minutes)
A clever kick from Rhys Priestland and Johnny Williams slides over!
New Zealand collapse the maul so it is a free play for Wales, allowing them to assemble the chasers. Priestland feigns an attack of the line and then drops the ball onto his creative right toe, clipping the ball beyond the defensive line to a vacant space between the posts and punching the air as his inside centre wins the race to it. A simple conversion completes the job.
Wales 9-28 New Zealand, 60 minutes
Before Wales can throw the lineout Brodie Retallick is going to be forced off, clutching an arm or shoulder and taking leave. Springy youngster Tupou Vaa’i is on.
Wales 9-28 New Zealand, 59 minutes
Ethan Blackadder returns the favour as Taine Basham darts from the base of a breakdown, the blindside meatily munching the Welshman, and two phases later a stray pass falls into All Blacks hands.
Wales counter attack after New Zealand clear and draw two penalties in quick succession - one for a late hit from Joe Moody. Not taking of the points this time - the Principality Stadium crowd roars its approval of a simple decision to go for the corner.
Wales 9-28 New Zealand, 57 minutes
You don’t see that too often from Brodie Retallick. The lock is in fine position to take the restart with a stable lift but lets it tumble from his right bicep. Wales have a scrum on the left about 25 metres out, and change their front row. They have to score in this movement, you’d say, to have any shot.
TRY! Wales 9-28 NEW ZEALAND (Will Jordan, 55 minutes)
That is scandalous from Will Jordan! What a player!
It’s a loose kick from Tomos Williams and Jordan checks to assess his options, picking out Will Rowlands as the penultimate man on the chasing line. He sets the lock with a shimmy and then fades to his outside shoulder, out-pacing Rowland’s long stomping limbs and surging away.
He squares up the last defender and produces a perfectly weighted chip that falls beautifully into Jordan’s hands as he scores his 16th try in 11 New Zealand games. Jordie Barrett makes it a full seven-pointer.
Wales 9-21 New Zealand, 53 minutes
Where’s Rieko Ioane going? Right through Welsh would-be tacklers! A brilliant run from the left-winger, weaving in and out and using a powerful fend to make 40 metres or so.
Wales just about reset and win a turnover after the All Blacks knock-on.
PENALTY! WALES 9-21 New Zealand (Rhys Priestland penalty, 52 minutes)
Easily done by the veteran fly-half from just left of centre. Wales back to where they were at half-time.
Wales 6-21 New Zealand, 51 minutes
Back we will come for the original penalty as New Zealand force a Welsh infringement near their line. That was naughty footwork from Davies as he explored his options at the base.
Rhys Priestland will have his first shot at goal.
Wales 6-21 New Zealand, 50 minutes
Stolen, and cleared! Wales under-resource a ruck and New Zealand pilfer the ball, Beuaden Barrett clearing long.
Back come Wales! Owen Lane chips and re-gathers and advantage is coming as Gareth Davies jinks and jives down the left!
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