Wales led 14-13 at halftime and 19-14 when hooker Mefin Davies crashed over the try-line, but New Zealand had the stronger bench and the tired Welshmen had no answer for the pace of Fijian-born flyer Joe Rokocoko, who scored twice to take his incredible tally to 27 in 22 Tests. The packed Stadium crowd answered the All Black haka with a rousing rendition of “Bread of Heaven” and the scene was set for a thriller. And so it proved as the two sides produced one of the best games in the 99-year history of their famous rivalry.
Exhausted Wales skipper Gareth Thomas said after the match: “I believe in the badge, I believe in the jersey and I believe in this team. We’re absolutely devastated. The forwards were massive – smashing through rucks and smashing through tackles. I just stood at the back and watched them play their hearts out. It was a difficult game, but no one in the Wales side gave less than 100 percent. I’m so proud of this side.”
Man of the match Colin Charvis added: “We’re bitterly disappointed. (Coach) Mike Ruddock is telling us to hold our heads up, but we’re very upset. We’ve now lost two games against world-class opposition by two points and now one point, and that’s hard for any side.”
Scrum-half Dwayne Peel brought the crowd to their feet early when he took a quick tap and drove towards the New Zealand try-line, but referee Tony Spreadbury brought play back and gave Stephen Jones the chance to open the scoring with a penalty goal from point-blank range.
It took 13 minutes before New Zealand entered enemy territory and it brought instant dividends when Dan Carter converted a penalty given away by an over-eager Charvis at the breakdown. A Casey Laulala break set up New Zealand’s first try-scoring opportunity, but Tom Shanklin showed good pace to get back and save the day, and 60 seconds later the Wales winger was crossing the try-line 100 metres away.
Charvis turned the ball over, Stephen Jones put a chip into the corner and the ball bounced up beautifully for Shanklin to score the game’s opening try. Jones added a penalty goal, but the eight-point lead lasted barely eight seconds. The All Black backs put together a great move and star winger Joe Rokocoko was over for his 26th try in 22 Tests. Carter supplied a classy conversion and the fans had a one-point ballgame.
Carter and Jones traded penalty goals and Wales led 14-13 at the halftime break.
The second half began with early fireworks as both sides crossed for tries. The Welsh pack showed impressive patience as they attacked the All Black line, and hooker Mefin Davies – the lightest forward on the field – eventually found the space to drive over.
New Zealand hit back from the kick-off and Carter made two clever breaks to give fullback Mils Muliaina the space to crash through the tackle of Gareth Thomas and score. Gavin Henson watched as his long-range penalty-goal attempt smashed into the left-hand upright, and Wales were ruing the miss when they turned the ball over and gave Rokocoko an inch of space 60 metres out. The Fijian-born star feinted a kick ahead before using his express pace to skin Shanklin and score untouched.
Wales held out several All Black attacks and stepped up a gear when replacement All Black centre Ma’a Nonu was sin-binned for a late charge on Henson, who slotted the ensuing penalty to narrow the margin to 23-22 in the visitors’ favour. The one-man advantage should have got Wales over the line, but they were exhausted and the genius of All Black fly-half Carter kept his side out of trouble.
His third penalty goal gave New Zealand a vital four-point lead in the final 10 minutes, but Henson kept the crowd on the edge of their seats with a goal of his own as Wales tried to get the victory that would transform this side from brave pretenders into world-class contenders. But it wasn’t to be.
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
