Wales secured a historic 35-28 victory against New Zealand in a nine-try Nations Championship thriller at the Principality Stadium, ending a 73-year losing streak. Steve Tandy’s side produced a magnificent performance in front of 55,152 fans in Cardiff, breaking a 34-match losing sequence against the All Blacks that stretched back to 1953.
Fast Start for Wales and All Blacks Fightback
The home side made a stunning start, taking a 14-0 lead within the first six minutes through tries from scrum-half Tomos Williams and captain Dewi Lake, both converted by Sam Costelow. Prop Archie Griffin added a third try for Wales before New Zealand responded with scores from Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, and Fehi Fineanganofo, with Richie Mo’unga’s four conversions leveling the score at 21-21 by half-time.
Wales regained momentum early in the second half as centre Eddie James and wing Louis Rees-Zammit crossed for tries to stretch the lead to 35-21. New Zealand responded when flanker Peter Lakai burrowed over to narrow the gap to seven points.
Historic Win Sealed by Defensive Wall
The closing stages saw remarkable Welsh defense as the hosts held up New Zealand players over the try line three times, thwarting attacks from Sititi and hooker Asafo Aumua. Flankers James Botham and Jac Morgan, alongside lock Dafydd Jenkins, led the defensive effort, while replacements like prop Gareth Thomas and flanker Taine Plumtree contributed crucial turnovers to preserve the lead until the final whistle.
The victory marks the first time Wales has beaten New Zealand since 1953, a year when the New Zealand dollar did not exist and Cardiff was not yet the Welsh capital. New Zealand still leapfrogs South Africa to top the southern section with one weekend of regular matches remaining.
