NZ edge past plucky wales

Wales 25 New Zealand 26

Wales’ wait for a victory over New Zealand goes on after they were vanquished by the All Blacks in a titanic battle at the Millennium Stadium.

Mike Ruddock’s men gave Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, the two previous Wales coaches now in charge of New Zealand, a distinctly uncomfortable return to Cardiff but the All Blacks’ incisive edge eventually proved conclusive.

The bare facts are that the All Blacks overturned an 11-3 deficit to edge ahead and keep a battling Wales at bay with two tries from Joe Rokocoko, a score from Mils Muliaina and Daniel Carter’s 11 points.

But the mere statistics do not tell the story of Wales’ bravery, heart and fight as they pushed the All Blacks right to the death. Their position as one of the major forces in world rugby has been confirmed, but their hunt for a major scalp goes on.

They had begun with fire in their bellies, desperate to end a losing run against the All Blacks which stretches back 51 years, and opened that 11-3 lead with a cleverly-worked try from Tom Shanklin.

The All Blacks responded with Rokocoko claiming a controversial score when Sonny Parker appeared to have been impeded but, through the boot of the excellent Stephen Jones, Wales retained a one-point lead heading into half-time.

Hooker Mefin Davies dived over just after half time to extend that advantage to 19-13 before Mils Muliaina and Rokocoko stung Wales inside eight minutes.

Roared on by a packed house desperate to witness a slice of Welsh rugby history, Gareth Thomas’ men refused to buckle, but Gavin Henson’s two penalties were not quite enough to earn Wales the win their determination and passion deserved.

Much has changed since Wales last beat New Zealand. In December 1953, Tony Blair was six months old and Sir Winston Churchill was in his second term in office.

In the intervening 51 years, beating New Zealand has developed into Wales’ very own Everest and in the 16 Tests since Bleddyn Williams’ side triumphed at the old Arms Park they have taken some fearful hidings.

But they came into today’s game proclaiming a genuine belief that they could bury the hoodoo and finally nail the big scalp that has proven so elusive in the last year.

Wales’ renaissance began at the World Cup 12 months ago when Hansen was in charge and they have proven in the last year to be good enough to compete with the best sides in the world.

But they had fallen on the wrong side of the ledger each time, losing to the All Blacks in that momentous World Cup game, England twice and a fortnight ago, to South Africa who held on by two points.

They were performances which had impressed Henry and Hansen, but New Zealand arrived boasting great quality. Star wingers Rokocoko and Doug Howlett boasted a remarkable 59 tries in 64 Tests between them.

But Wales recalled their own dangerous finisher in Shane Williams – who caused the All Blacks such problems in the World Cup – with Shanklin switched to the opposite wing and New Zealand-born Parker started in the centres.

All three were key players, along with Jones who orchestrated the first try and was the brilliant fulcrum of Wales’ attacking force. His only blemish were three missed kicks. Crucial as it turned out.

Wales, who had hinted at a response to the All Blacks’ haka during the week, unfurled a giant Welsh dragon and the supporters were led in a hearty rendition of ‘Bread of Heaven’.

It was designed to douse the All Blacks’ early and fire and help Wales, whose slow start against South Africa proved costly, hit the ground running – and it worked as Wales opened an 11-3 lead in the first 26 minutes.

Dwayne Peel was short in his attempted dart for the line but it prompted an exchange of penalties before Jones, who had already carved open New Zealand’s defence once, created the first try.

Wales turned over New Zealand’s ball and Jones chipped over the top for Shanklin who beat Casey Laulala and Muliaina in the race for the touchdown.

Another penalty, earned by Wales’ forward power after Aaron Mauger’s knock-on, opened Wales that 11-3 advantage – only for the All Blacks to hit back in controversial fashion.

Parker appeared to be obstructed as the All Blacks broke and Muliaina danced down the touchline before feeding Rokocoko for his first try of the evening. It was met with boos from the Welsh crowd but Carter kept his cool to slot the conversion and reduce the arrears to a point.

Carter then kicked New Zealand ahead after Wales had dealt well with a threat from Rokocoko, only for Charvis, Shanklin and Williams to carry Wales forward again.

New Zealand, under growing pressure, finally cracked, allowing Jones to boot Wales into a 14-13 half-time lead.

Wales forced a five metre scrum immediately after the interval, moved to within inches of the Al Blacks’ line and hooker Davies dived over.

But there was no respite for the Welsh. Carter sent over Muliaina, and after Henson had hit the post with a penalty, Wales were stung on the counter-attack and Rokocoko seared in for his 27th try in 22 Tests.

Wales’ hopes were given a boost on the hour when replacement All Black centre Ma’a Nonu was sin-binned for a late tackle on Henson. He picked himself up and landed the kick. Wales were back within a point at 23-22 down.

Carter extended that lead again as Wales were penalised at the breakdown.

Instead of pushing for the try, Henson slotted the kick but Wales could not break the All Blacks down again.

They had fallen short again by the tightest of margins.