Carter record in AB victory

Dan Carter became Test rugby's record points scorer as he kicked 12 points in New Zealand's Grand Slam clinching 37-25 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

The All Black fly-half headed into Saturday's game just two points behind Jonny Wilkinson's record of 1,176 points and, although he missed the chance to draw level with an early conversion, a long-range penalty soon saw him move past the Englishman.

His team ran in a total of five tries to end up winning by a comfortable margin, although that did not really tell the story of a contest in which Wales pushed their opponents close for long periods.

But on each occasion they got themselves within striking distance, New Zealand responded and Hosea Gear (two), Mils Muliaina, Isaia Toeava and John Afoa all touched down, with Lee Byrne's late converted try nothing more than a consolation to go along with Stephen Jones' six penalties.

Jones did kick Wales ahead within two minutes as Gear gave away an early penalty after making contact with the Wales fly-half as chased his own up-and-under; Jones dusted himself off to kick the resulting penalty.

The New Zealand response was swift and clinical, although Wales played a part in their own downfall with some poor tackling.

Sonny Bill Williams created space with a typical run and offload to Toeava who brushed off a couple of weak challenges before slipping to opposite wing Gear who cruised over in the corner.

Carter missed the conversion that would have brought him level with Wilkinson's record, but he didn't have to wait much longer to pass it, kicking a penalty from just inside the Wales half to make history.

But despite that success, the All Black fly-half found himself enduring an off-day with the boot as he pulled a relatively straightforward penalty chance wide of the posts on 13 minutes and he would go on to miss three other first-half place kicks.

However, he was involved in his side's second try as he collected an aimless Welsh punt downfield and made easy yards before slipping inside to Muliaina who darted through a gap before sprinting unopposed to the line for a simple and rather soft score.

Carter was once again off target with the conversion, although opposite number Jones also proved profligate soon after as his penalty effort struck an upright before bouncing to safety.

Missed opportunity

Wales should have notched a try of their own on the half-hour mark as they created an overlap out wide with some quick ball, but James Hook saw the ball ripped from his grasp in a tackle by Muliaina as he darted for the line.

They did reduce the deficit a minute later, though, as Jones slotted an easy penalty after New Zealand were caught offside.

The gap was down to four by half-time as Jones struck again after the visitors collapsed a scrum, although Carter missed the chance to respond immediately as his penalty attempt came up short.

Roared on by a partisan home crowd who were beginning to sense an upset, Wales got themselves within one on 51 minutes and were further boosted as All Black replacement Daniel Braid was sin-binned for killing the ball.

Jones kicked the subsequent penalty from in front of the posts but, sensing danger, New Zealand roused themselves and responded with their third try of the afternoon.

Wales were made the pay the price for not finding touch with a penalty from hand as New Zealand launched a lightening counter; Conrad Smith making the initial break before the ball was spun from right to left with Gear showing strength and precision to finish in the corner - Carter refinding his range with a delightful conversion from the touchline.

The fly-half then edged his side further ahead with a second penalty after Jonathan Thomas was penalised and New Zealand looked to have matters in hand at 12-23.

But Wales refused to lie down and battled back to within five points courtesy of two more Jones penalties as the visiting forwards were pinged for more indiscipline.

But as they had done previously, the All Blacks moved up a gear when they needed with two tries in the space of three minutes killing the game.

The first came following a poor attempted clearance from Hook, replacement lock Anthony Boric eventually breaking the line before sending in Toeava for his second try.

Another substitute, John Afoa, got the second with five minutes remaining, the prop rumbling over from 30 metres with Carter adding both conversions.

The last word did go to Wales as they finally made an overlap pay out wide, Byrne diving over, but his score and Jones' conversion meant little other than adding a gloss to the scoreline.