Bulldozing wing Waisake Naholo has scored two tries as the All Blacks held off a determined Welsh challenge to win the first Test in Auckland 39-21.
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It took a strong finish from New Zealand to get past the visitors, who led heading into the final 20 minutes in Auckland on Saturday night.
But Naholo’s second try was followed by new skipper Kieran Read touching down, before replacement hooker Nathan Harris added the icing after the full-time hooter with his side’s fifth five-pointer.
The match was the start of a new era for the All Blacks, who lost half-a-dozen seasoned campaigners after they successfully defended the World Cup last year.
Traditionally slow starters to an international season, they again showed signs of rust, but their ability to finish strongly proved decisive.
Wales were coming off a disappointing defeat to England a fortnight ago, but they showed plenty of enterprise in attack and defended resolutely until they tired at the end.
After five-eighth Aaron Cruden got New Zealand on the board with a penalty, Wales shocked their hosts by taking the lead.
From a midfield scrum, they went both sides of the field before No.8 Taulupe Faletau scored in the corner.
The home side hit back with two tries, one each to wings Julian Savea and Naholo.
Naholo, who was dangerous with ball in hand all night, created the first with a break before Cruden’s cross kick was pulled in by Savea.
Fullback Ben Smith, whose knock-on had given Wales field position for Faletau’s try, then made amends by gathering in a high ball and embarking on a huge break that was finished off by Naholo.
The All Blacks looked to be in control at 15-5 up, but handling errors and turnovers stalled their momentum.
Wales closed the gap with two penalties from five-eighth Dan Biggar.
They then hit the front again when fullback Liam Williams made an incisive run from inside his own half.
Williams brushed past two tacklers before sending halfback Rhys Webb over, with Biggar adding the extras.
Wales came close to a third try as they pounded at the All Blacks line in the two minutes before halftime but the home side showed good defensive resilience.
Cruden and Biggar traded penalties early in the second half before the All Blacks got back in front when turning down an easy penalty attempt to tie the score.
Instead, halfback Aaron Smith opted for a quick tap and Naholo powered over from six metres out.
Read’s try gave the All Blacks breathing space with 13 minutes to go.
The second of the series’ three Tests is in Wellington next Saturday night.
Shaun
Guest
Folau is only better because of his height.
Shaun
Guest
Can't wait for Mckenzie to get his turn! Theres your kicking concerns gone, and your Savea/Naholo worries out the window with Ben Smith going to the wing. I think Naholo is just rusty, the more time he gets in the AB jumper the better he is going to get!
Shaun
Guest
agreed, I don't see the fascination with Crotty, he never really seems to do much. He is reliable, but that is about all. Savea is just lazy, we even saw that last year when he came in to the All blacks slow and overweight and was dropped to get some fitness back. IMO if a player doesn't appreciate that his job is literally to stay in shape, they won't be an all black for long. Ardie is a superstar and just too good at the moment to ignore. Problem is for him it will be hard to push Cane out, a cemented All black spot is hard to undo. It will take several bad games from Cane and a few blinders from Ardie to squeeze in.
Shaun
Guest
Agreed, that Welsh fullback is going to be a superstar!
Nobody
Guest
Wales were still leading at the 50 minute mark iirc, and they matched us blow for blow. The bench ran away with it at the end, but 39-21 flattered us - "hold off" isn't a bad description if you saw the game. We did well in the lineouts, and Aaron and Ben Smith were standouts, but Wales matched us everywhere else until the bench came on. Richie was sorely missed at the breakdown. That Wales winger, I forget his name but he was awesome. Incidently, Barnes has been highly criticised for calling that forward pass on us when the ball went backwards out of the passer's hands, but personally I sympathise. I don't like that "backwards out of the hands" rule. If the ball went forward, the pass should be called forward and if you're running full tilt, too bad, try harder. IMO. I realise I may be alone here, and yes, I realise it's the ref's job to enforce the rules as written. It is a pity Barnes wasn't so focused on spotting forward passes in a certain world cup final against the French.
ben
Guest
Yes we get it Faith...same blog repeated different articles. "If wales were coached by Hansen ....." They were...and they didnt stun us then.
ben
Guest
TKB try?? The only TKB i know is Tawera Kerr-Barlow and he wasnt playing. You sure you watched it?
Sylvester
Guest
As Jerry says, he's played wing for the ABs in the past and more recently for the Crusaders. He's not unlike Jane and Milner-Skudder in the fullback-turned-wing stakes, so should adapt easily enough. Ben Smith is too important to move for the sake of underperforming wingers.
Jacko
Guest
Like Ireland did
Faith
Guest
I always watch a game reading the blogs and then read the reports thereafter and then watch the game again. And there always seems to be a real simplified reading of things leading to such extreme positions. There is such a weird over-estimation of ABs and under-estimation of Wales. This game was not about NZ playing poorly in the 1st half. Wales did not just let them play and you can tell that from the first 10 minutes when NZ were steaming along in the first half. Wales are actually a really good team when they get their game on. On paper they are quite something. If Wales was coached by Hansen or Cheika they would stun SH teams. It's not that Gatland is not a good coach but his tactics limit Wales. Wales play with heart when they want to and the second Test will be the same if they do the same irrespective of AB skills. And I say this as a huge ABs fan.
PeterD
Guest
Sorry waking up and the caffeine hasn't hit yet! I meant George North!
PeterD
Guest
I don't think it was that Ben I just think that the All Black bench is pretty bloody awesome hence why they always pull away in the last 20 in games. A lot of the Welsh guys are coming off a really tough season so they maybe felt it a bit in the last 20. As an Englishman I have to say I was deeply impressed with how the Welsh played this game. Finally Gatland took the shackles off the Welsh and let the Welsh play their natural game and it was a fine spectacle for anyone who watched the match. The Welsh have a lot of naturally gifted flair players and always have! Unfortunately a lot are criminally underused and have sacrificed their game for Gatlands grand plan. Take George Ford for example, he was allowed to go out and play and finally you saw the real player from a few years ago!
CUW
Guest
@ atlas : now who said lightening does not strike twice ? :D he got a shock call to play a world cup , now a shock call to captain against a test team . luck is indeed a fortune :P
CUW
Guest
the issue in europe to my amateur rugger eye is , they let players rest during the game. the ball lies with the scrum half for like 1/2 minute at rucks before they clear it. same at scrums and mauls. also , only now they have realized the need for forwards also to play at pace. and there are not many who do it in club rugger. so when they move the ball fast with backs , the speed ends when there are no more backs. then it becomes a slow grind with forwards. but teams like nz and auzzy play fast with both backs and forwards. the ball goes from one corner to the other and then comes back to the starting corner at similar speed. in that second cycle , most european teams are off their feet :) but soon u will see england also playing like that , at pace. jones is looking for young guys who are not just meat , but also speed :D
Mark
Guest
Julian Savea might be lucky to keep his spot Crotty was poor in the first half - very poor - but had a much better 2nd - perhaps Fekitoa at 2nd and Tanivalu at Centre Cane was anonymous for too much of that match - its time to test Ardie
Mark
Guest
Another Abysmal performance from Wayne Barnes Welsh 1st try after a blatant forward pass (their 2nd in the game - the first missed as well) All Blacks on attack and Warburton is allowed to enter from the side and pick the ball up All Blacks looking for quick ball and a certain try - Welsh player deliberately lying on the ball and not Yellow Carded TKB try disallowed for a pass that has clearly gone backwards How do these morons keep getting a job And still we thrash the Welsh 50 points in the 2nd test
CUW
Guest
all blacks will rotate ROMANO and Tui - particularly since both have had longterm injuries. whitelock not necessary for this series i feel - he will probably play in the 3rd. the crusaders have been managing him well with a low load during this season.
CUW
Guest
@ Rugby Tragic : maybe memories of 2007 were in front of his eyes , momentarily :P i was listening to the european commentary and they were speechless, so much so the usual chatterbox commentators just said " that was not forward for me" and the other said " not for me either " !! that was alll they said. i guess it took a while for them to digest how mad it was :D what i will be interested is to see if there are statements from WR regarding the decision ; since they did hang Joubert.
CUW
Guest
" I was doubtful read was upto the challenge, glad to be proven wrong. " u mean the challenge of leading??? it is obvious ur not a crusaders fan. he has been leading crusaders even with mccaw and carter on board. he is a leader who need not shout, simply becoz he has a multitude of skills. only 8 in the world who is = to read for me is parrisse. no one else can match read's skills and even folatau was out done by him.
CUW
Guest
@ Rugby Tragic : i think he has gained weight but lost speed. when going forwards he was not so confident - and was not quick enuf to go around. am sure the mib management monitor these things , but imo he shud shed a few killos of extra fat and get really fighting fit.