WALES 9 NEW ZEALAND 29
There was to be no fairytale under the closed roof of the Millennium Stadium as Richie McCaw lead his side to a 20-point victory after trailing at the interval.
The All Black flanker was at the heart of everything as his side turned on the second hald style to secure the result no Wales fan wanted.
And those fans would have been hopeful that the 55-year wait for a win over the All Blacks would be over as they cheered their heroes in 9-6 to the good at the interval.
After standing like statues as the Haka enthralled the 74, 076 crowd, Wales first-choice XV fronted up and within two minutes were ahead through a Stephen Jones penalty.
It took a high tackle to stop Wales, and Jones punished the indiscretion with a three-pointer. It was the first of three successful first half penalties.
Despite dominating possession and showing the most flair in the first forty, two Dan Carter Penalties kept his side in the match and their were warning signs that the All Blacks could spark into life in the second period.
And that is precisely what happened.
The All Blacks dominated after the break with Ma’a Nonu and Jerome Kaino scoring tries and fly-half Carter kicking the other points to finish with a personal haul of 19.
Wales 9 New Zealand 29
HT: 9-6 Attendance: 74,076
Wales: L Byrne, L Halfpenny, T Shanklin, J Roberts, S Williams, S Jones (J Hook 58), G Cooper (D Peel 58), G Jenkins (J Yapp 79), M Rees, A Jones, A Jones, I Evans (L Charteris 56), R Jones [capt], M Williams, A Powell (D Jones 74)
Replacements used: D Peel, J Hook, L Charteris, D Jones, J Yapp
Scorers: Penalty – S Jones (3)
New Zealand: M Muliaina, J Rokocoko, R Kahui, M Noni, S Sivivatu, D Carter, J Cowan (P Weepu 57), T Woodcock, K Mealamu, N Tialata (J Afoa 49), B Thorn, A Williams, J Kaino, R McCaw, R So’oialo
Replacements used: J Afoa, P Weepu
Scorers: Try – J Kaino, M Noni; Conversion – D Carter (2) ; Penalty – D Carter (5)
Man of the Match: R McCaw
