Wales vs New Zealand LIVE rugby: Latest score and updates from autumn international
Wales host New Zealand in their opening autumn international in Cardiff today hoping to end a run of 32 successive defeats against the All Blacks.
New Zealand have not lost to Wales since 1953 but appear to be one of the more vulnerable All Blacks sides of recent vintage, having suffered home defeats to Ireland and Argentina this year while dropping to fourth in the world rankings.
Wales were hammered 54-16 by the All Blacks last November, before Wayne Pivac’s side endured a difficult Six Nations campaign that included a defeat to Italy. But with a year to go until the World Cup, Wales will look to get off to the perfect start by becoming the latest side to inflict defeat on New Zealand.
Follow all the action as Wales host the All Blacks in Cardiff with our blog:
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Wales 0-0 New Zealand, 3 minutes
A shake of the head and a questioning look at his assistants from Wayne Pivac as his Welsh side are penalised – Wayne Barnes is unhappy with a side entry.
Richie Mo’unga with have a crack at the first points of the game.
Wales 0-0 New Zealand, 2 minutes
But that is the danger of Ardie Savea – Gareth Anscombe is brought down by Dalton Papali’i and over the top is the irrepressible number eight, earning the penalty for holding on.
Wales 0-0 New Zealand, 1 minute
Solid enough drill from New Zealand as they take down the opening kick off and clear through the boot of Aaron Smith. Smith’s box kick remains in play, and Wales attack from halfway.
Nifty! Lovely pivot pass out the back from Adam Beard, and George North rounds the corner into space, Scott Barrett tracking back well to cut him down.
Wayne Barnes with the whistle
A proud day for our referee, too. Wayne Barnes takes charge of his 100th test match, and he’s got a special whistle in tow. Brian MacNeice is the TMO.
Wales to kick off – here we go!
Haka
Blimey. The Welsh crowd meet the challenge of the Haka, launching into song to drown out the war cries. Might this be the afternoon for Wales?
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
The stirring sound of the Principality Stadium in full voice, “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” bouncing around the great Cardiff amphitheatre. Rio Dyer and Sam Costelow add their voice to a senior Welsh national anthem for the first time as they prepare to make their test rugby bows.
Anthems
With the tributes concluded with a round of warm, loving applause, into the anthems, starting with “God Defend New Zealand”. Aaron Smith looks high up into the stands – a proud day for the scrum-half, passing his former half-back partner Dan Carter as the most capped All Black back. Sean Fitzpatrick, whose father was part of the last New Zealand side to be beaten by Wales, is among those watching on the stands.
Wales vs New Zealand
Ahead of kick off, tributes to two Welsh greats – Phil Bennett and Eddie Butler, who have both sadly passed since Wales last played in Cardiff. Butler’s brilliant deep purr soundtracks the video package, with memories of the pair on and off the field – two dearly missed figures.
Out come the teams
The Principality Stadium, with roof closed, looks to be absolutely bouncing for Wales’ November 2022 debut – can the home side produce a first win over the All Blacks since 1953? Justin Tipuric’s long locks are warmed by the flames and the fireworks as he leads his Welsh side out.
Team News – New Zealand
The All Blacks narrowly escaped Tokyo with a win last week, continuing a strange, middling year for Ian Foster’s side. They travelled to Europe shorn of their captain – Sam Cane has fractured his cheekbone – while Brodie Retallick’s sending off leaves Foster without another forward pillar.
Sam Whitelock captains the side in the second row, toiling away in the engine room with Scott Barrett, who starts alongside both of his brothers. Jordie continues his evolution into an international inside centre, while Beauden is at full-back with Will Jordan another ruled out for the rest of November. Aaron Smith surpasses Dan Carter as New Zealand’s most capped international back.
New Zealand: B Barrett; S Reece, R Ioane, J Barrett, C Clarke; R Mo’unga, A Smith; E de Groot, C Taylor, T Lomax; S Whitelock (capt.), S Barrett; S Frizell, D Papali’i, A Savea.
Replacements: S Taukei’aho, O Tu’ungafasi, F Newell, T Vaa’i, A Ioane; B Weber, D Havili, A Lienert-Brown.
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