All Blacks Close Year with Hard-Fought Victory Over Wales in Cardiff
The All Blacks finished their 2023 test schedule with a 52-26 victory over Wales in Cardiff this morning, a result secured after a determined performance following last week’s disappointing defeat to England. Despite the win, the tour is viewed as a mixed bag for the New Zealand side, particularly after their grand Slam aspirations were dashed at Twickenham.
wales Put Up a Fight Despite Ranking Disparity
Wales, currently ranked No.12 in the world, proved a resilient opponent, exceeding expectations in a match where few anticipated a prolonged challenge against the No. 2 ranked All Blacks. The home side’s performance was highlighted by Tom Rogers becoming the first Welsh player to score a hat-trick of tries against New Zealand, responding to each of the three tries scored by Caleb Clarke, Tamaiti Williams, and ruben love.
Second-Half Surge Seals Victory for New Zealand
The match saw a notable shift in momentum in the final quarter, with the All Blacks pulling away after receiving two yellow cards – one for replacement prop Gareth Thomas and another for loose forward Taine Plumtree. These penalties contributed to tries from Sevu Reece (two),Rieko Ioane,and Clarke,ultimately widening the gap on the scoreboard. Despite a challenging first half, the All Blacks demonstrated improved discipline and achieved a 100% success rate in the set piece.
Robertson Praises Depth and Chance Given to Players
Head coach Scott Robertson expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of players given opportunities throughout the year.”The guys stood up,” Robertson said.”The guys that got an opportunity played really well. There were some good combinations… we gave 45 guys opportunities this year to build competition and depth and make sure we give guys exposure over this four-year cycle to the World Cup.” Robertson’s side saw 13 changes to the starting lineup, with promising signs from fullback love, No. 8 Wallace Sititi, and the impact of Leicester Fainga’anuku off the bench.
Controversial Refereeing Decisions Frustrate All Blacks
The match wasn’t without its controversies, as the All Blacks had two tries disallowed. The first, scored by Clarke, was ruled out due to a knock-on by Du’Plessis kirifi. Though, the subsequent decision to disallow a try by will Jordan sparked debate. Referee Hollie Davidson, making history as the first woman to referee an All Blacks Test, initially awarded the try but then reversed her decision, citing a potential grounding issue.
Robertson voiced his concerns regarding the decision, stating, “She said it was clear and obvious and then it wasn’t clear and obvious… It has to be clear and obvious for it to be turned over and it wasn’t. I think that’s something we have to look at [with] World Rugby.” He explained that the strategy was to tyre the Welsh defence with sustained posession, but the repeated reviews disrupted the team’s rhythm.
Looking Ahead: trajectory is Up, Despite Tour Setbacks
Despite the tour being ultimately considered a failure following the defeat to England, captain Scott Barrett remained optimistic. “Before we hopped on the plane we had a clear vision to win a Grand Slam and, last week, England pulled the rug out from underneath us,” Barrett said. “There will be plenty of time over the next few weeks to reflect on where we are as a team. Ultimately,our trajectory as a team is up.”
Assistant coach Jason Ryan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the development of new talent within the squad. “Over the last two years we’ve had 19 new All Blacks and a lot of those have been in the forward pack,” Ryan said. “They’re trending in the right direction. They’ve experienced the hot surroundings of test rugby and they’ll be better for it.” Ryan acknowledged the need for improved consistency and decision-making under pressure, referencing previous defeats to Argentina, South Africa, and England. “We’ll be better for this season – I know we will, heading into a brutal year next year.”
