Wales 23-55 New Zealand: Smith, Taylor and Barrett seal All Blacks win
Wales 23-55 New Zealand: Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith and Codie Taylor score TWICE each to hand All Blacks the victory in Cardiff… after a debut try from Welsh youngster Rio Dyer
- Wales continued their All Blacks hoodoo as New Zealand won 23-55 in Cardiff
- Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith and Codie Taylor each scored twice for the All Blacks
- Rio Dyer scored a debut try for Wales in the first-half at the Principality Stadium
- Wales were bidding for their first win against New Zealand in almost 70 years
New Zealand continued their long reign of dominance over Wales by winning a one-sided Autumn Nations Series clash 55-23 in Cardiff.
The All Blacks made it 33 successive victories against their hosts, who have still not toppled New Zealand since December 1953.
Hooker Codie Taylor, scrum-half Aaron Smith and centre Jordie Barrett each scored two tries, while number eight Ardie Savea and replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho also touched down as New Zealand never lost control after building an early 17-point advantage.
Wales suffered a brutal 23-55 defeat by New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday
Hooker Codie Taylor scored two early tries to put New Zealand in control in the early stages
Fly-half Richie Mo’unga added four conversions and a penalty, and Beauden Barrett booted two conversions, with the All Blacks proving ruthless in terms of gathering points when inside Wales’ 22.
Wales had their moments, notably tries from Test debutant Rio Dyer and skipper Justin Tipuric, with Gareth Anscombe kicking three penalties and two conversions.
But they could never get closer than six points behind the Rugby Championship title holders, even if it was not a vintage All Blacks display.
Wales need to regroup quickly, with Argentina and Australia among their remaining autumn opponents, after another performance that prospered at times, but they had nowhere near enough quality moments.
Debutant Rio Dyer, 22, scored in his first appearance for Wales as the hosts clawed it back
But a very fast double from Aaron Smith straight after the break helped the All Blacks pull away
For New Zealand, it was the most points they have scored against Wales in Cardiff, eclipsing the 54 they racked up 12 months ago.
Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny’s hopes of a Test match return 16 months after suffering major knee ligament damage were thwarted by a hamstring injury.
Anscombe moved from fly-half to replace him, with Rhys Priestland starting in the number 10 shirt and uncapped Scarlets back Sam Costelow joining the replacements.
Smith made his 113th Test match appearance for New Zealand, moving above Dan Carter as the All Blacks’ most-capped back, while Sam Whitelock took over as captain from an injured Sam Cane.
Jordie Barrett also scored twice as New Zealand put Wales to the sword in the second-half
New Zealand settled quickly under the stadium’s closed roof, and Mo’unga kicked them into a fourth-minute lead through a 40-metre penalty.
It was an unsettling opening for Wales, and New Zealand extended their lead seven minutes later when flanker Dalton Papali’i breached Wales’ front-line defence and quickly recycled possession resulted in a try for Taylor that Mo’unga converted.
Wales looked off the pace and were defensively suspect as New Zealand punished them through a second Taylor try – converted by Mo’unga – that opened up a 17-point advantage inside the opening quarter.
The home side desperately needed some inspiration, and it arrived courtesy of new cap Dyer.
Rio Dyer (pictured) clawed the home side back into the game touching down to make it 15-7
Wales attacked from a line-out delivering the ball to Dyer who cut a fantastic angle for his try
Wales attacked strongly from a short-range lineout, and Dyer touched down after cutting a superb attacking angle on receipt of centre Nick Tompkins’ pass, with Anscombe’s conversion making it 17-7.
An Anscombe penalty nine minutes before half-time further cut the gap, and there were promising signs shown by Wales after being run ragged in the early stages.
But New Zealand’s ruthless edge surfaced again when they returned to Wales’ 22, as a brilliant Mo’unga cross-kick saw Jordie Barrett catch it and outjump Dyer before touching down.
Anscombe then kicked a second penalty just before the interval, as Wales went off nine points adrift when it might have been a whole lot worse, given New Zealand’s initial onslaught.
Gareth Anscombe (pictured) kicked a second penalty to put Wales nine points off at half time
Taulupe Faletau (right) made an impressive 14 tackles in the first 24 minutes of the the match
Wales showed two changes for the second period, with prop Dillon Lewis replacing Tomas Francis and lock Alun Wyn Jones taking over from Adam Beard.
Anscombe completed his penalty hat-trick five minutes after the restart, and Wales were firmly back in contention as a third change saw Nicky Smith replace loosehead prop Gareth Thomas.
Just when questions were being asked of them, though, New Zealand hit back when livewire Smith broke clear from the base of a scrum for his team’s fourth try, and Mo’unga converted for a 29-16 lead.
Richie Mo’unga (pictured) controlled the game throughout showing flashes of brilliance
But Wales displayed admirable resilience, and they chipped away at New Zealand again, this time through a Tipuric try that Anscombe converted, only for Smith to score again, with Mo’unga adding the extras to restore a 13-point gap.
Costelow made his Test match introduction 14 minutes from time, yet New Zealand had already stretched further away through Savea’s try, before Jordie Barrett’s second touchdown inched them closer to 50 points, a figure that was passed in injury time.
MATCH RATINGS
WALES
Gareth Anscombe 5
Fell off a couple of tackles but was otherwise solid. Failed to get into the game in attack and is more suited to the number 10 shirt.
Louis Rees-Zammit 5
A frustrating afternoon for the Gloucester wing. Wasn’t in the game at all with the ball not coming his way.
George North 6
Tried his best to get Wales over the gain-line but found himself swamped by black shirts. Solid in defence.
Nick Tompkins 7
Wales’ best back. One tremendous first-half break and a subtle pass put Rio Dyer over for Wales’ opening try.
Rio Dyer 6
Solid debut from the Dragons wing. Crossed for a first-half try but was beaten in the air by Jordy Barrett for an All Blacks try.
There is plenty to ponder for Wales coach Wayne Pivac (centre) ahead of RWC next year
Rhys Priestland 5
The 35-year-old’s kicking out of hand was relatively good but took the wrong options in attack on more than one occasion.
Tomos Williams 6
Had his moments in attack with one brilliant break but was outplayed by his opposite number Aaron Smith.
Taulupe Faletau 7
Led the way defensively making 14 tackles in the first 24 minutes but struggled to get Wales on to the front foot.
Tommy Reffell 4
Got blown away at the breakdown and failed to slow down the All Blacks in attack. Was also at fault for Aaron Smith’s decisive try.
Justin Tipuric (right) scores for Wales’ second try after they were beaten by All Blacks
Justin Tipuric 6
Missed an uncharacteristic tackle on Dalton Papali’I but got better as the game wore on scoring a vital try.
Adam Beard 5
Only lasted the first-half. One important counter-ruck but was part of a Wales pack who were outmuscled.
Will Rowlands 5
Wales’ main source of lineout ball but struggled with the physicality of the New Zealand pack.
Tomas Francis 5
May as well have been pushing against a stone wall. He got nothing out of the 6ft 3in, 21st Ethan de Groot.
Ken Owens 7
Offered himself as a ball carrier bringing huge energy on his first test match since March 2021. Improved the lineout significantly and was Wales’ best forward.
Gareth Thomas 5
Struggled to contain Tyrel Lomax at scrum time, but did carry well in the first-half. Got replaced early in the second-half.
SUBSTITUTES
A W Jones (for A Beard 41), D Lewis (for T Francis 41) N Smith (for G Thomas 45), C Tshiunza (For T Reffell 55) K Hardy (for T Williams 66), R Elias (for K Owens 67), S Costelow (for R Priestland 67).
NEW ZEALAND
Beauden Barrett 8
Was used effectively at first receiver which kept the Wales defence guessing. His positional play was also on point.
Sevu Reece 6
Didn’t have much of an opportunity to show his class in attack but didn’t put a foot wrong in defence.
Aaron Smith (pictured) showed a masterclass at scrum-half scoring two excellent tries
Rieko Ioane 8
So explosive with ball in hand, always beating the first defender either through his footwork or his power. A class act.
Jordie Barrett 8
Worked effectively as both a distributor and a carrying option in midfield. Caused mayhem in the air which earnt him a first-half try.
Caleb Clarke 7
His hands let him down at times but was a constant threat when the ball did stick. Very powerful runner.
Richie Mo’unga 8
Controlled the game from start to finish. Showed flashes of brilliance while his variety of passing unleashed his outside backs.
Aaron Smith 9
An absolute masterclass in scrum-half play. Did the basics well but scored two tries including a tremendous individual effort.
Beuden Barrett (pictured) scored New Zealand’s seventh try during the match vs Wales
Ardie Savea 9
Arguably the world’s best player. Played havoc with Wales at the breakdown and his explosive carrying was very effective.
Dalton Papali’I 9
Had been waiting patiently for his opportunity and didn’t disappoint. Destroyed Wales at the breakdown while he made headway with ball in hand.
Shannon Frizell 8
Put in a huge shift in defence making 12 tackles with his physicality making a real dent in the Wales pack.
Scott Barrett 8
Flawless at the lineout while he got his side over the gain-line. Tip on passes from the point of contact were very impressive.
Sam Whitelock 8
Flawless at the lineout, even pinching a few from Wales. Was also used effectively in the wide channels with some neat offloading.
Tyrel Lomax 7
Held the All Blacks scrum well and is the unsung hero of this New Zealand pack. Also carried well around the park.
Cody Taylor 8
Has found form again after a disappointing Rugby Championship. Crossed for two first-half tries and was like a wrecking ball with ball in hand.
Ethan de Groot 8
Stuffed Wales tighthead Tomas Francis at scrum time while he was in the thick of everything around the park.
SUBSTITUTIONS
O Tu’ungafasi (for E de Groot 55), Samisoni Taukei’aho (for Cody Taylor 58), F Newell (for T Lomax 58), A Lienert-Brown (for S Reece 58), O Watkin (for N Tompkins 60), A Ioane (for S Frizell 62), B Webber (for A Smith 62), T Vaa’i (for S Barrett 70), D Havili (for R Mo’unga 71)
SCORERS
Wales
Tries – R Dyer 26, J Tipuric 49 Cons – G Anscombe 26, 51 Pens G Anscombe 31, 41, 45
New Zealand
Tries – C Taylor 11 19, J Barrett 34, 77, A Smith 46, 53, A Savea 65, S Taukei’aho 80 Cons – R Mo’unga 12, 19, 47, 54, B Barrett 78, 80 Pens R Mo’unga 4
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