New Zealand: Pile on the misery for struggling Wales
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Wales slumped to a sixth consecutive defeat after going down 33-10 to New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Predictions the All Blacks' attack would incinerate Wales' defence came to fruition in the first half especially. However even though the scoreline may read otherwise, it was a much better effort from the Welsh - the second half especially.
Be that as it may, coach Warren Gatland must have been shifting uncomfortably in his seat as he contemplated another difficult week following the home side's previous November defeats.
The hosts never threatened to end a 59-year drought at the hands of their southern hemisphere rivals, and their hopes were all but dashed by half-time when the clinical All Blacks put the result beyond doubt thanks to a 23-0 lead.
It proved too big a mountain for Wales to climb in the second half, though - bouyed by their parochial crowd in full voice - showed plenty of character and determination to fight back and outscore the world champions two tries to nill. There were no fist-pumps, high fives or backslaps from New Zealand after the final whistle as they knew that were some way from their best after being held 10-10 after the break.
The game couldn't have started any worse for Wales after losing two players two minutes into the contest. First, Bradley Davies was taken out from behind by All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore and the lock was forced off looking extremely light-headed.
Then tighthead prop Aaron Jarvis followed suit after injuring his knee.
To make matters even worse, All Blacks pivot Aaron Cruden was in fine touch with the boot and racked up a 9-0 lead for his team in the opening quarter before Israel Dagg broke from inside his 22 to link up with Julian Savea who raced into Wales' dangerzone. And just moments later, Conrad Smith was putting flank Liam Messam over for the opening try.
Wales came close to scoring after a trademark Jonathan Davies break brought the crowd on their feet, only for prop Paul James to return them to their seats after knocking the ball on. The Welsh didn't do themselves any favours later on as on two occasions Rhys Priestland missed the corner with penalties.
There was to be more pain for the Welsh to endure when Tony Woodcock went over for New Zealand's second try off the back of the same line-out move that saw the prop score in the World Cup final.
The deficit became 26 points just after the break as Cruden added another penalty, before a superb passing movement and a fine finish in the corner from Luke Romano gave New Zealand their third try. Cruden's conversion was his seventh successful kick from seven.
Wales finally got on the scoresheet just before the hour when full-back Leigh Halfpenny did find the corner with a penalty, Wales committed almost their entire team to the line-out drive and inside centre Scott Williams went over.
Wales had more of the game in the final quarter, particularly after Cory Jane was sin-binned for a deliberate knock on, and did cross again through Alex Cuthbert in the closing moments - but long before then the result was no longer in doubt.
Man of the match: Aaron Cruden and Conrad Smith were the pick of the New Zealand backs, but it was difficult to overlook loose forward Richie McCaw - who was his usual industrious self - as our man of the match. He was immense, smashing bodies in defence and proving to be the Kiwis everywhere man.
Moment of the match: Wales' first try only served to spark the hosts into action, and from there on in the Welsh raised their game.
Villain of the match: Andrew Hore's cheap shot from behind will surely interest citing commissioner Mike Rafter.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Tries: S Williams, Cuthbert
For New Zealand:
Tries: Messam, Woodcock, Romano
Cons: Cruden 3
Pens: Cruden 4
Yellow card: Jane (59th minute)
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Ryan Jones, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 James Hook, 23 Scott Williams.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Ben Smith.
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Euskasi: don't worry England are down a few good hookers too.
Posted 21:38 24th November 2012
letsgoboks says...
jonesrp
Kiwis are in a league of their own... as for the other teams. I guess history(even recent) gives them something to stand on. :D
Posted 21:38 24th November 2012
sebs says...
Joubert did make a couple of wrong decisions which no doubt will be fodder for angry fans for years to come... but the Welsh were simply outclassed in that first half... after the break the result was beyond doubt so the comeback probably happened because they had lost the pressure battle. This suggests to me that their failings are up top, not skill level or physicality. Any Welsh fan claiming that the ref lost them the game is probably a little too one eyed - the game would have been lost anyway so there's no need for sour grapes. Halfpenny had a good game, as did Cuthbert, but I don't see a single player in this Welsh team that would make an All Blacks run on 15.
Posted 21:16 24th November 2012
johnniec63 says...
andrew whore is nothing but a cheap shot merchant well done for the win..... im sure all NZ fans are so proud....
Posted 21:07 24th November 2012
Zambokke says...
2011-2012 WALES to date: LWWLWWWWLLLWWLLLLLL these numbers include all of the third tier teams in the RWC plus Italy and Scotland. Sneaking the odd win against England, France or Ireland does not make you great.
Wales versus TriNations 2011=2012 LLLLLLLLL
Not very close and no cigars - the stats speak for themselves, I'm bored with talk of their promise and brilliance.
Posted 20:57 24th November 2012
Mace says...
And funny how when NH teams celebrate when they score a couple of tries against us even though theyre on the wrong end of an arse kicking hahaha they act like they're winning the bloody game!! And of course any damn teams going to score off a line out with 15 men driving over 5 metres from the line its just pathetic and desperate. We should be harping on about Woodcock's try thats been used a couple of times now like in the RWC Final 2011 hahaha. Bring on England one last trophy for our all ready full cabinet!!!!! ALL BLACKS FOREVER
Posted 20:55 24th November 2012
hayj05 says...
He may be a Hore but that was the work of a pimp. Cowardly act & he'll no doubt be facing a lengthy ban.
The game well... pretty much went as expected in terms of the result & I found it hard to watch after the AB's had jumped out to 33 - 0. Nice little fightback by the Welsh though.
Thought the Welsh made a huge mistake by turning down shots at goal early on. Played right into the AB's hands & It's something I've never seen a side do before in a test match against the AB's without the intention of chasing the match.
I think Gatland may have got them a little too carried away by saying that they had to try something different to beat the AB's. A 15 man lineout? Yes. Turning down early shots at goal? No no no no no.
And well done Cruden. I was a little nervous with the loss of Carter but Cruden looked focused & assured in everything he did.
Posted 20:53 24th November 2012
1st58 says...
Joubert does seem to favour the AB's heavily - is he overawed by them?
Posted 20:51 24th November 2012
Melkiwi says...
@damo unfortunately for heslip he did it right infront if the ref hores stupid act wasn't and played in real time look like he was clearing Davis out of the way. Hope hore gets what's coming.
Posted 20:50 24th November 2012
qwerty says...
@rugbybutten
NZ rugby really doesn't need a worldwide fan base with your attitude to the game. Please don¿t support AB or Hawke's Bay any longer.
Posted 20:49 24th November 2012
Mace says...
You Welsh are a joke!!!!, just like the words of your defence coach and pathetic performances of 59 years, even without Dan Carter you still couldnt even produce anything, everyone thinks the welsh played better in the second half when reality is our All Blacks played like S@$T!!! Even with 14 men you were still pathetic. Your men were dropping like flies and the reserve bench cleaned out it looked like Gatland was about to kit out. Great game from Cruden and nice shot from Hore!!! Thompson was hard done by, he should of put abit more force into it, its great to see some thuggery mixed in there the way the games being ruined by idiots these days, its just what we wanna see. Just like getting rid of the shoulder charge in league both games are being pu@$yfied, what next? get rid of tackling?
Posted 20:43 24th November 2012
Euskadi says...
I thought Wales targeted Savea well, his high ball skills are a big question mark for me, always has been.
Loved the 15 man lineout, reminiscent of the North Harbour 15 man maul, great tactic, i'd be calling that move whenever there is a 5m attacking lineout. Surprised Wales didn't try it again when they had similar opportunity once or twice in that 2nd half.
When Jamie Roberts went off I thought that was a major blow for Wales but Scott Williams was immense. Wales' best IMO.
ABs just more urgent, direct and focused.
England will be tough, very tough especially if Mealamu isn't recovered as I expect Hore will be gone and gone for a while. Maybe if the Maori haven't left EUrope yet Elliot will join the squad???
Posted 20:28 24th November 2012
jonesrp says...
If you look at the tripe dished up by South Africa and Australia this weekend then you realise that maybe there isn`t a big divide in the game after all...just one team that is out on its own...again. So not much changes. One great side, the rest all talking themselves up.
Posted 20:19 24th November 2012
Trader2 says...
Another job done against a fast finishing Wales, helped a little by the 25 changes Hansen made in the 2nd half. Loved the 15 man Welsh line out, nice touch, had the AB's scatching their collective heads. If Wales can carry on next week they should beat the Wannabies. Andrew Hore you donkey, when I first saw it I thought that looks bad, it looked worse on replay but it must have been even worse because the Welsh commentators bleated on about it for the rest of the game. To me that was far more serious offence than Thomson - 6 weeks, as long as he is back for the Highlanders 1st game..
Posted 20:19 24th November 2012
rugbybutten says...
C Joubert was back in wc final mode, look after the ABs some awful first half decisions.
In all my comments on this website I have never criticised a ref even after the WC final debacle but this was just plain unfair. I fully understand and appreciate that NO ref can see everything or be right on everything but bloody hell give a team a chance. Wales still would not have won but the 1st 13 points were not right ( inc the fwd pass ). The AB tactic of deliberately seriosly injuring players early in the game really should be a thing of the past in this professional era. It used to be semi accepted that the ABs would try and ruin the career of a rugby player in the first few minutes of a game but surely this cannot continue.
And before you jump on my back ( and give me a kick if you are an AB) ..I am a huge fan of AB rugby, I am a distant but keen Napier Hawkes Bay fan... but don't alienate your biggest fan base... the rest of the rugby world.
Posted 20:17 24th November 2012
Patagon says...
Actually I want to congratulate Wales. AB played their typically clinical game, kept it simple (you know what I mean) and won. Wales played very well for my liking, ran the ball deep, showed lots of concentration too, fought very hard and passionately, I mean, this is more like the team we have seen in the past year. Happy to see them playing better.
Posted 20:15 24th November 2012
runnrugby says...
Although the Welsh played better in the second half there was less pressure to perform knowing the game was over before half time. Under pressure Wales lacked the clinical play early on with poor descisions and mistakes at crucial times costing them. But you could also say the same about the ABs taking their foot off the throttle, less pressure to perform knowing the game was over at half time lol
Posted 20:14 24th November 2012
missionary says...
Hore should get 4 - weeks. What an idiot and yes it was a cheap shot. Game fell to bits when Weepu came on. It was his delayed feed in a scrum which gave the ball away and ultimately resulted in Wales' try. AB's should have scored at the other end as well but blew that scrum pressure.
Posted 20:12 24th November 2012
StunTheMullet says...
@ carpelone - Why didn't that Wales player get penalised and yellow carded for running across back of the All Black ruck?
Posted 20:11 24th November 2012
Zambokke says...
ABs can simply cruise to a victory, they are in a league of their own at the moment. Perhaps they took their foot off the pedal with an eye on England. Looking at Wales' record since the start of the last RWC, I really fail to see how they are rated so highly - even with injuries, you should be able to scrape the odd win versus Samoa etc and beat the odd SH side? Antway, who can stop the ABs run, perhaps only an in form France at the moment?
Posted 20:10 24th November 2012