New Zealand 39
Wales 21
KIERAN READ CELEBRATED his elevation to the All Blacks captaincy with a try as the New Zealand side produced a lethal finish to crush Wales 39-21 in the first Test in Auckland today.
In a Test which swung from scintillating to scrappy, in the end it was the pace and intensity of the All Blacks in the closing 20 minutes that determined the outcome.
Wales looked promising — leading 18-15 at half-time and 21-18 with 18 minutes remaining — and sensed their 63-year wait for a famous victory over the world champions was on the cards.
But, when the All Blacks unleashed their trademark storming finish they wrapped up the game with late tries to Waisake Naholo, Read and Nathan Harris.
Naholo scored a double for the All Blacks and Julian Savea also touched down with Aaron Cruden landing four conversions and two penalties.
For Wales, Taulupe Faletau and Rhys Webb scored tries with Dan Biggar contributing a conversion and three penalties.
Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones had the honour of leading the teams on to the field in his centenary Test but then blotted his copybook by giving away an early penalty.
Cruden, who slotted comfortably into the backline general’s role vacated by Dan Carter, hit the uprights with that kick but had the All Blacks on the board soon after with a close-range shot.
Wales muscled up to force the All Blacks back to their own line and quickly regained the lead with a try to backrower Faletau.
They drew the All Blacks defence into one corner then went wide to the other side, taking right wing Naholo off his line to cover a barren midfield which allowed Faletau to cross unopposed in the corner.
Soon after the restart the All Blacks struck twice in quick succession.
Naholo stepped around Hallam Amos to lead the All Blacks deep into Welsh territory where Cruden slotted a precise cross kick into the arms of Savea who scored in the left corner.
It was one of the few bright spots in Savea’s game who had trouble containing explosive Welsh wing George North.
It was a 30-metre North break that again lifted Wales’ spirits but their attempt to test Ben Smith with a high kick backfired.
The All Blacks fullback took the ball under pressure and launched a counter-attack that ended 80 metres downfield with a try to Naholo.
As the game morphed into a frantic period of attack and counter-attack, marred by handling lapses, it was Wales who broke the deadlock.
Biggar landed two penalties before Liam Williams opened up the All Blacks with a burst through a fragmented defence and put Rhys Webb in for a try under the posts.
Cruden and Biggar swapped penalties early in the second half before the All Blacks stepped up several gears.
Naholo scored his second try running off an Aaron Smith tap penalty close to the line.
The power of New Zealand’s bench was evident as Patrick Tuipulotou sent Read over and then Charlie Faumuina set up Harris’ try.
The second Test is in Wellington next Saturday.
© AFP 2016
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Roy Keane has turned into the very thing he hates – a show clown!
@Pat Rascal: you’re obviously a poo fan
@anthony davoren: a poo fan? Anto try get it right ! Roy be disappointed with your feeble comeback.
@anthony davoren: idiot alert.
@anthony davoren: seriously – what age are you?
@Graham: jaysus ye are all out tonight
@colin coady: hardly a comeback,.just stating the obvious based on his cynical comment
@anthony davoren: You left out the letter L but still managed to touch a nerve.
@Pat Rascal: And I haven’t forgiven him for Saipan, when push came to shove he fu€&ed off in the one tournament that we had a real chance in if any one is old enough to remember.
Most entertaining maybe but not the best, give me a sadlier or kerr anyway. They provide such indepth analysis that rue football fans love. Roy is for the casual fan
@Phil: anyday*
@Phil: Sadlier is the best imo. Kerr good also. Keane doesn’t come close to these guys.
@Phil: damian Delaney is excellent
@Ray Ridge: Sky aren’t interested in in-depth analysis of the game. They’re interested in stats and sensationalism. Keane does what he’s told because they pay his wages. That’s about the size of it. Kerr, Delaney and Sadlier are by far the better “pundits” imo.
Roy has become the king of sound bites.
And the worst – winner by a country mile. Ex red Mr Spitty who shows zero balance in his alleged analysis. Should have been sacked!
What a nonsense article! Keano is a United legend but average pundit. Mostly he’s there to get a reaction from the other pundits. Oh and it’s TP (initials of player from previous article)
@G Bot: Gavin talking out of his hole.To much snow (actual snow )
It’s great to see Keane find success/happiness after retirement as a player. For years he was bitter about how he was fired until he became a much loved pundit.
But Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Micah Richards are equally as interesting to listen to as Keane.
@Caolan Z: “big meeks” is dreadful to listen to.
He comes out with the same guff every week.
Not getting stuck in
Not wanting it enough
He has to do better.
@Brendan Coleman: That’s exactly the issue Amorim has with Rashford since he joined the club recently, not doing enough and not getting stuck in, so what’s wrong with Roy Keane as a pundit exposing the same shortcomings in Rashfords and others game. By his own admission Keane never regarded himself as a gifted footballer but he showed leadership, got stuck in and done enough to help Man. Utd, have so much success. As a manager he took Sunderland from the bottom of the Championship table to winning it the same season. Just name me another Irish born soccer player that achieved more success in their football career than Roy Keane?
Brian Kerr and Richie Sadlier far better at analysing the game. Keane is there for the novelty factor.
But that’s his job !!
@ Robert conway. Agreed about Carraher. That a h**e Neville as well so bias towards the other team in red.
The ManUre fans love him.
Best pundit…….No. Most entertaining… Yes.
He’s become everything he pretended to hate
He is probably the most famous pundit based on his quick wit and playing career. He is also probably the most entertaining pundit.
I think the likes of Delaney and Kerr are better pundits and can explain tactical stuff in an easy to understand way.
Worst pundit for anyone who knows anything about the game , great for the clueless masses