1
All Black finish season on a high
By Online Editors
The All Blacks ended their long season with a 33-18 victory in Cardiff over Wales, sealed by three tries in the second half.
However, they only had a 12-11 lead at halftime after the Welsh enjoyed an 80 per cent possession advantage in the first 40 minutes.
Wales opened the scoring with a Leigh Halfpenny penalty, and successfully managed to deny the All Blacks any ball till the 15 minute mark. The first break by Aaron Smith was telling though, as he ran 30 metres upfield to link with Waisake Naholo for the opening try.
Naholo dotted down again in the 38th minute, but Wales hit back with a lovely try to Scott Williams just on the stroke of halftime.
Halfpenny couldn't convert but Wales would've headed to the sheds full of confidence. That was dashed by Anton Lienart-Brown in the 57th minute, who latched on to a Rieko Ioane break. Ioane then picked off Dan Biggar to make the score comfortable.
Replacement halfback Gareth Davies gave the Welsh some hope with a try soon after, but Ioane then burst through the defensive line off a scrum to seal victory for the All Blacks.
The All Blacks now head home for the summer, with a record of 13 wins, two losses and a draw for the year.
Meanwhile Wales should be buoyed by their showing in the first half going into the 6 Nations.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Ulster confirm a nine-strong leavers list that includes Dave Ewers
3
Ireland have at last reacted to the Eben Etzebeth 'arrogance' claim
4
The non-Springbok Ben Tameifuna labels one of world's best scrummagers
5
Latest Comments
Let’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
Go to comments