Wales v New Zealand: All Blacks come back to blaze ahead in late victory
Last Updated: 22/11/14 8:41pm
New Zealand produced a barnstorming late comeback to crush Wales’ hopes of a famous win at the Millennium Stadium as the world champions ran out 34-16 winners.
Wales looked like ending 61 years of hurt against New Zealand when they led 16-15 with only 11 minutes left, but fly-half Beauden Barrett's try double either side of a Kieran Read touchdown gave the All Blacks a remarkable 26th successive victory in the fixture.
New Zealand claimed four touchdowns in 13 devastating minutes during the final quarter, and Wales were reduced to shell-shocked bystanders.
Flanker Jerome Kaino and wing Julian Savea also scored for the visitors, with Wales replying through scrum-half Rhys Webb's try and 11 points from the boot of full-back Leigh Halfpenny.
But they have still not beaten New Zealand since 1953, and they will need victory over South Africa next Saturday if they are to avoid another poor sequence of autumn Test results.
The final scoreline was rough on Wales, yet New Zealand once again reminded them of the standards that make Richie McCaw's men a class apart as their skipper celebrated his 100th Test as captain in fitting fashion.
Wales shaded the early sparring, gaining two penalties in quick succession that allowed them to enjoy a reasonable territorial position before Halfpenny kicked them in front through a seventh-minute strike following Roberts' powerful surge - moving past 400 points for Wales in the process.
Barrett missed a straightforward chance to put New Zealand level, but found his range from double the distance, making it 3-3 after 22 minutes of an intense encounter.
Second half
Wales had impressively held their own in the toe to toe battle, yet they fell behind within three minutes of the restart as New Zealand stepped up a gear in ruthless fashion.
Barrett's sharp break split the Welsh defence, and after New Zealand's pack went through the phases, possession was quickly moved wide and Savea brushed off fly-half Dan Biggar's challenge to claim his 30th try in just 33 Tests, with Barrett converting.
The lead lasted just two minutes as Wales hit back brilliantly when Webb – a try-scorer against Australia two weeks ago - linked superbly with number eight Taulupe Faletau and touched down, before Halfpenny's conversion tied things up again.
A second Halfpenny penalty put Wales back in front after 51 minutes, but back came New Zealand, as McCaw ran deep into Welsh territory and set up a gilt-edged scoring opportunity that Barrett capitalised on, kicking majestically to the far touchline - and Kaino touched down unopposed.
Again New Zealand's lead proved short-lived, as another Halfpenny penalty made it 16-15 to Wales.
Yet just two minutes later New Zealand responded through a Barrett solo score after he gathered his own kick ahead by gathering a kind bounce that foxed Halfpenny.
Slade converted, and New Zealand sealed the deal when Read charged down Phillips' attempted clearance and Barrett scored again.