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
ruckingkiwi says...
Ramage,
Mace is the same clown as georgesmith, their pigeon-English is identical, they are not Kiwi.
Posted 19:23 25th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Cmon @rico! Everybody who watched the game knows that Hore's ACT was pig-DUMB! No place for it mate...But as far as conspiracy theories go Targeting B Davies is a reach of the Tallest order..I will reiterate that he would have been amping to smash anything in red..just like the welsh boys would be keen to smash anything in Black at the beginning of the game. Except his execution left a lot to be desired (expect 4 week ban). Of all the players on a welsh team would you think that DAVIES is the most dangerous?? hmmm...
Posted 17:08 25th November 2012
Toulousain says...
@ferdie, please, enough moralising already.... you guys blame the ref like no other nation on earth. it's just you don't lose very often. but when you DO lose, oh boy, watch out. even 5 years after the event, we still have to listen to graham henry cry about cardiff 2007. imagine if you'd lost RWC 2011 final....you think your entire nation wouldn't be complaining about the ref? for ever and ever??
Posted 16:13 25th November 2012
carpelone says...
Congratulations to all the kiwis (the vast majority) on their honest and correct appraisal of Hore's act.
Ramage. I wish I could withdraw my words in the preview thread. Cruden had an excellent game and he is developing in the right direction. So, well done to him and he is a positive example for everybody for his fight against cancer. Priestland had a shocker and he is far from his 2011 RWC form.
New Zealand have still one game to play, but they have already lots of positives from this tour. Player development and management is what New Zealand coaching staff are one or two categories better than all the others. For instance, Savea is becoming a truly international superstars from the rough diamond he was only few months ago.
Apart from some players who are around 30 (they will be around for some more time), the only question mark here is blindside flanker.
I hate to admit this, but the gap is widening.
Posted 15:41 25th November 2012
mikeNZ1 says...
Hore has disgraced himself & the AB jersey. I was a fan but now think he should never again be selected.
Posted 15:01 25th November 2012
Ramage says...
Just thought I'd add a small comment for all to share. Over the years we have been entertained or enraged by the inept comments from a number of posters and you all know who I mean as I don't have to name them. Seems we have attracted a new one to the club and one from my own dear country so welcome mace your comments are as inane and reprehansible as the others who grace this sight. Just goes to show every nation has its share of morons. Ka kite ano.
Posted 14:50 25th November 2012
Townie says...
Left with a sour taste for the whole match after the Hore incidents, not to mention some other blatant cheating by players like Nonu. Disappointing to see that whilst New Zealand are still winning, that they are still rotten to the core.Some lovely pieces of play though and impressed by Cruden.
Joubert missed some obvious infringements (standing offside), and gave some dodgy calls, was unimpressed with him. Especially with his lack of consistency, particularly when it came to players being told to "use the ball", poor and inconsistent.
Liam Williams had a great game, as did some of Welsh players, definitive a pick up. Cuthbert did try to loose the game all by himself, then was gifted that end try. Tactics were there but the discipline wasn't for Wales, looking forward to a hopefully clean Aussi game next week.
Posted 14:11 25th November 2012
Wallaroo says...
Well done AB's, the result was never in doubt. I expected it to be bigger.
AB's a class of their own at the moment.
In regards to Hore I'm sure it will be dealt with appropriately, a bit to much testosterone in his right arm and left brain.
Posted 12:23 25th November 2012
Chubbylugs says...
@melkiwi
I understand what you are trying to say in mitigation for hore, but if he was trying to bundle him into the ruck, why would he need to swing his arm round his neck. There's a considerable height difference, so there's no way it was an accident
Posted 11:59 25th November 2012
jiggainlondon says...
Hore effort was a shocker, deserves a decent 4-6 week ban. Looks like D Coles will have a decent run out next week.
It was my first visit to the Millennium Stadium, managed to get some great seats near halfway. I have to say that the majority of Welsh fans nearby were knowledgeable, while there were a few that could do with a book on rugby laws from Santa. I agree that the AB's got a couple of lenient calls (Warburton penalty looked like he won it fair and square from what I saw and the forward pass in the build up for the first try)
One thing I did notice in the second half was the tendency for Welsh dummy runners blocking the defensive line, Warburton twice in a row started holding AB players quite some way off the ball. I know that all teams employ tactics of dummy runners being close to blocking, but this was a bit over the top.
All in all, was a pretty flat game from both teams. Next week, if Wales play like they did in the last quarter when they play Oz they should get the win (Oz look like they are tired).
AB's still with a fair bit to work on, looking forward to Twickenham next week - I always think that England raise their game against NZ, may put a cheeky wager on England and hedge off - could be a bit closer than most people think.
Posted 10:35 25th November 2012
Melkiwi says...
@Damo unfortunately the refs play by the rules given to them by the IRB and currently the law regarding the TMO call offence was not allow. We are blessed with camera angles and reply while the refs don't have the option so can only call what they see, just like the case with Simmons against France.
Does anyone have a reply of the hore incident? Want to see if it was a punch, swinging arm out an attempt to clear out cause once he hit Davies he falls straight away into the ruck. It happens all the time with players who are in the way being hit back into rucks
Posted 10:04 25th November 2012
makemehappy says...
@Internationalxv - so someone being sent off might not have altered the outcome? Interesting and incorrect theory. It would have impacted on the score!
Posted 09:42 25th November 2012
passtheball says...
This is so unlike Hore, who in more than a decade has been pretty much trouble free. Did something happen beforehand? Even if it was retaliation, he should know better. His tour is over at the very least. At his age and with others on the up it could be the end of his AB career too.
Posted 09:40 25th November 2012
Trader2 says...
Hi OzinLondon hope you enjoyed the weekend, another big win for the Wannabies (opps sorry that obviously upsets you) I mean of course the Qantas Wallabies. No people bleating on doesn't worry me two much, in any event I don't have to listen to those Welsh guys all the time thank God, they even make Kearnsey and Marto sound intelligent. And if Hore does ever play again in Wales he will deserve all the booing and abuse he gets, it will be a very "toxic" enviroment for him, the difference I susect between Hore and that other "Kiwi" he will handle it.
Speaking of FOX I had to pay $50 to Sentanta for two months to watch AB's v Wales and England, thats like paying pay TV to watch pay TV (is that called double dipping) and then the picture was lost a couple of times and you got to see no interviews at the end. You are right mate I am an idiot.
Posted 09:13 25th November 2012
SilverSurfer says...
Good game. Good positive play by Wales, but simply passing the ball along the backline quickly will not break defences. Until NH teams are able to mix up their backline play with changes of direction etc they won't have the penetration required to win consistently against the AB's. Climate doesn't help back play, so NZ will always have that advantage.
Good game by Joubert. Harsh call on Warburton who got a valid turnover, but there will always be one or two calls that a ref doesn't get right due to everything that they have to watch. Hell, the AB's get plenty of bad calls go against them. He is by far the best ref in the world at the moment.
And as for the continued talk on here that the AB's cheat and slow the ball down but don't get penalised for it - it's called playing to the limit of the law (unlike England who just plain cheat). If you were consistently cheating as the armchair critics on this site claim, they would lose by the opposition kicking all those penalties. NH teams need to simply up their game. Simple as that.
Posted 08:49 25th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Hore's ACT was dumb! And he will be punished for it..That is what the Judicial process is for (& the IRB) if they are lenient. Just love how the Uk media & supporters work..they will have us believe it was a deliberate act by the AB's to undermine the welsh team (& the spirit of rugby would you believe).(A) not a person fired up to smash anything in red heading into the first ruck of a big game (B) This act highlights the DARK ARTS the AB's employ hmmmm..What utter bollocks.Can already see this story getting bigger & bigger in the telling. Wales were much improved but beaten by a FAR better team (JPR williams)..The last 20 the AB's shut shop & Wales had no option but to chance their arm. Am picking Wales to finally win next week
Posted 08:45 25th November 2012
Oceansnz says...
Hard luck Wales!
You played really well in the last 20 or so mins of the match. Hopefully you can get up and give next week's match a bit of snot too.
Apologies for Mace's comments and Rugbybutten's comments. You guys need to chill.
Posted 08:37 25th November 2012
StunTheMullet says...
Strange how the outrage and replay button was missing when Boofhead Powell tackled Sir Richie in the face in 2010.
Posted 08:36 25th November 2012
paulynz says...
@Mace
I was gonna say that I was just guessing about your dick. But I won't...
Posted 08:34 25th November 2012
WorldWary says...
"Wales matched the All Blacks in the second half"
What after the game was well won, with subs on, at the end of a long season....foot taken off the throat and the All Blacks looking terminally bored with the lack of challenge by that time...
I'm not sure why even make that statement. It's looking like boys v men and all NH teams need to stop promoting false positives and admit just how far behind they are...only then can real improvement happen and we will get quality tough rugby to watch.
The truth is that it took the All Blacks 30mins to win this game. They don't even need the full 80 anymore.
Posted 08:05 25th November 2012