After the All Blacks clinched a 52-26 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium, it's clear that their dominance remains intact with their 34th consecutive win against the Welsh since 1953. Despite the impressive scoreline, the match unfolded with its share of drama and highlighted areas needing attention before the All Blacks can truly dominate on the world stage.
Wales, under the guidance of Steve Tandy, displayed a resurgence, albeit in vain, with Tom Rogers achieving a spectacular 43-minute hat-trick, a feat never before accomplished by a Welsh player against New Zealand. Despite Rogers’ historic performance, Welsh discipline faltered, resulting in two yellow cards which ultimately allowed the All Blacks to capitalize and secure their win.
The All Blacks' aerial game was noticeably weak, a recurring issue that was exploited by Wales. Tom Rogers capitalized brilliantly, with all three of his tries originating from New Zealand's failures to secure high balls. This defensive frailty under high kicks is a glaring concern that Scott Robertson’s squad must address. "We simply have to get better at this," admitted Robertson post-match, highlighting the urgency of improving this aspect of their game.
"We cannot continue in this manner. The players need to take personal responsibility for our shortcomings under the high ball,"
While some All Blacks shone, others struggled. Ruben Love, despite a promising start, faltered under pressure, his errors under high balls leading directly to Welsh tries. In contrast, Caleb Clarke and Wallace Sititi delivered standout performances, demonstrating the high standards expected from All Blacks players.
For Wales, aside from Rogers' headline-grabbing hat-trick, Louis Rees-Zammit and Alex Mann put in commendable shifts, though the team's overall inconsistency and lack of discipline were their undoing. The match left fans and critics pondering the potential of this Welsh side under new leadership, with glimpses of brilliance overshadowed by crucial mistakes.
The All Blacks, while ending 2025 on a high note, leave the field with as many questions as answers, particularly in their handling of fundamental skills like fielding high balls. As they look toward future contests, particularly the anticipated Greatest Rivalry Series with the Springboks, refining these basics will be critical. For Wales, the path to resurgence is evident, but the journey is far from over.
2,193 posts
After the All Blacks clinched a 52-26 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium, it's clear that their dominance remains intact with their 34th consecutive win against the Welsh since 1953. Despite the impressive scoreline, the match unfolded with its share of drama and highlighted areas needing attention before the All Blacks can truly dominate on the world stage.
Wales, under the guidance of Steve Tandy, displayed a resurgence, albeit in vain, with Tom Rogers achieving a spectacular 43-minute hat-trick, a feat never before accomplished by a Welsh player against New Zealand. Despite Rogers’ historic performance, Welsh discipline faltered, resulting in two yellow cards which ultimately allowed the All Blacks to capitalize and secure their win.
The All Blacks' aerial game was noticeably weak, a recurring issue that was exploited by Wales. Tom Rogers capitalized brilliantly, with all three of his tries originating from New Zealand's failures to secure high balls. This defensive frailty under high kicks is a glaring concern that Scott Robertson’s squad must address. "We simply have to get better at this," admitted Robertson post-match, highlighting the urgency of improving this aspect of their game.
"We cannot continue in this manner. The players need to take personal responsibility for our shortcomings under the high ball,"
While some All Blacks shone, others struggled. Ruben Love, despite a promising start, faltered under pressure, his errors under high balls leading directly to Welsh tries. In contrast, Caleb Clarke and Wallace Sititi delivered standout performances, demonstrating the high standards expected from All Blacks players.
For Wales, aside from Rogers' headline-grabbing hat-trick, Louis Rees-Zammit and Alex Mann put in commendable shifts, though the team's overall inconsistency and lack of discipline were their undoing. The match left fans and critics pondering the potential of this Welsh side under new leadership, with glimpses of brilliance overshadowed by crucial mistakes.
The All Blacks, while ending 2025 on a high note, leave the field with as many questions as answers, particularly in their handling of fundamental skills like fielding high balls. As they look toward future contests, particularly the anticipated Greatest Rivalry Series with the Springboks, refining these basics will be critical. For Wales, the path to resurgence is evident, but the journey is far from over.