Wales 9 New Zealand 29:WALES FACED down the haka and won the subsequent eye-balling as the All Blacks waited for them to get ready for the kick-off, but less than two hours later, after a 20th consecutive defeat in the fixture, they were only too aware of the hard yakka that lies ahead if they are to overcome New Zealand where it matters.
In response to the haka Wales stood on their own 10-yard line, daring their opposite numbers to blink first. After that they went 9-3 up on 23 minutes, though it could have been more. A slick reverse pass from Shane Williams created space for Stephen Jones down the left, and the outhalf brushed off Ali Williams and Mils Muliaina only to be tackled a yard out by Jimmy Cowan. Wales were then thwarted by Richie McCaw, who dived off his feet to prevent the ball being released.
The New Zealand captain conceded a penalty but did not see a yellow card. Jones landed the kick to put his side six points up again, but they never threatened the All Black line again. It might have been different with a one-man advantage for 10 minutes, though probably not.
Wales had the better of the opening period, pressurising Cowan and messing up New Zealand's supply line, but they led only 9-6 at the break. Given New Zealand had not conceded a point in the second half in four games this month, starting with their Hong Kong victory over Australia, it was never going to be enough. After the resumption the cannily crafted game plan Wales had executed so well became like paper in the rain.
A fortnight before, against South Africa, Wales had kicked out of hand in their own territory, but they did not do so on Saturday until the 19th minute. The number eight, Andy Powell, after receiving a poor Dan Carter kick inside the New Zealand half, opted to return it instead of taking a chance. In a similar position in the second half he threw a pass to Lee Byrne without appreciating the fullback was about to be nailed by Richard Kahui.
The two incidents highlighted a crucial difference between the sides: decision-making. Powell's actions resulted in his line being threatened and as they came under pressure after the break, Wales lost sight of how they had gained the lead. They started to kick out of hand and after not being turned over once in the first period they coughed up the ball six times, with less possession. They were poor at restarts, failing to secure any, while the All Blacks claimed eight. Wales cracked when in possession and the scrum buckled. If they were defending manfully at the end, they were a distant second mentally.
Wales had been unlucky in having two men lying injured in the build-up to New Zealand's first try and conceding a second as they looked to counter-attack, but the tourists had been denied a legitimate score when flanker Jerome Kaino dived over from a ruck five minutes into the second half. The referee, Jonathan Kaplan, consulted the television match official, Shaun Veldsman, who ruled Kaino had been standing when he picked up the ball but could not say if the ball had been grounded. "When I was the Wales coach there were 26 cameras around the stadium," said the New Zealand assistant coach, Steve Hansen. "It was disappointing they did not have one behind the line."
"I was next to Jerome and he definitely scored but if the video ref can't see it, he can't give it," said New Zealand prop Tony Woodcock.
Teams need more than gimmicks against the All Blacks. Wales have made strides under Warren Gatland, but they have failed to score a try against South Africa or New Zealand and they will be down to their fourth-choice scrumhalf against Australia on Saturday. "We have to shake off the nearly-men tag," said the excellent Byrne.
The All Blacks will look to complete the grand slam on Saturday against an England team that has scored only three second-half points against Australia and South Africa this month. The gap between the hemispheres is a chasm once again.
Guardian Service
WALES:Byrne, Halfpenny, Shanklin, Roberts, S Williams, S Jones, Cooper, Jenkins, Rees, A Jones, A Jones, Evans, R Jones, M Williams, Powell. Replacements: Hook for S. Jones (59 mins), Peel for Cooper (59 mins), Yapp for Jenkins (79 mins), Charteris for Evans (57 mins), D Jones for Powell (75 mins). Not used: Hibbard, Bishop.
NEW ZEALAND:Muliaina, Rokocoko, Kahui, Nonu, Sivivatu, Carter, Cowan, Tialata, Mealamu, Woodcock, Thorn, Williams, Kaino, McCaw, So'oialo. Replacements: Weepu for Cowan (55 mins), Afoa for Tialata (49 mins). Not used: Elliot, Boric, Reid, Donald, Toeava.
Referee:J Kaplan (South Africa).
