Wales came close on Saturday to recording their first victory over New Zealand in 51 years but were ultimately thwarted 26-25 by a strong All Black defence and some individual brilliance by flying winger Joe Rokocoko.
Defying their record of just three wins in their 21 previous encounters, it was all Wales in the early exchanges, buoyed by a deafening 74 000-capacity crowd packed in the Millennium Stadium, the roof of which had been closed due to heavy rain throughout the day.
”It was a huge game of rugby,” said New Zealand coach Graham Henry, who spent four years until 2002 in charge of the Welsh side and was nicknamed the ”Great Redeemer” early on in his Cardiff career.
”It could have gone either way, but that’s Test match rugby.”
Wales coach Mike Ruddock said he was impressed with the ”passion and skill” of his team and said positive results will soon start coming.
”We’re right up there. We had cohesion, continuity and are ready to play in the Six Nations.”
Wales were unlucky not to have touched down in the early stages, with adopted Maori Sonny Parker, Colin Charvis and Williams all being brought down by some last-ditch tackling just 5m from the All Black line.
When New Zealand were finally penalised for holding on in the ruck, scrumhalf Dwayne Peel tapped quickly and crossed the line, but English referee Tony Spreadbury called him back. Jones kicked the penalty.
Charvis then made a great tackle on Carter just metres from the Welsh line after the Kiwis had kicked deep to the corner and put together a string of phases, and Tom Shanklin wrapped up new cap Casey Laulala who took the pop pass.
But Wales were penalised for holding on and Carter stroked over the kick on the quarter hour.
Just a minute later, the Kiwis were guilty of a similar offence after Shanklin did well to drag down isolated All Black fullback Mils Muliaina.
But Jones scuffed the kick and the score remained three apiece.
Shanklin was quickly back to rescue the day after Muliaina chipped ahead after a break by Carter, just beating a sprinting Rokocoko to the ball.
A quick dropout and a turnover in midfield then allowed Jones acres of space, but without many options he speculatively chipped deep to the right corner where an onrushing Shanklin gathered the ball to crash over for a try Jones was unable to convert.
New Zealand looked increasingly to unleash their potent back three of Rokocoko, Muliaina and Doug Howlett, who have scored an impressive 70 tries in their 87 combined appearances.
But some crushing midfield defence, including big hits by prop Jenkins and Narbonne-based Gareth Llewellyn on centres Aaron Mauger and Laulala, led to the Kiwis holding on and Jones stroked over another penalty and Wales took a 11-3 lead.
Just two minutes later, a wrap round in attack saw Muliaina take a great pass from Mauger and beat Shanklin down the wing and pass back into Rokocoko, who romped in for his 26th try in his 22nd test. Carter converted.
As the Welsh defence started to flag towards half-time, Rokocoko sliced through and offloaded to Laulala who was prevented from releasing the ball.
Carter calmly kicked the sideline penalty for New Zealand to take a 13-11 lead.
Wales came back after a break by the bushy-haired Charvis but were unable to breach the strong Kiwi defence, which was finally penalised for killing the ball. Jones kicked the penalty and Wales went into the break 14-13 up.
Wales opened the second half with renewed fire and after two minutes hooker Mefin Davies, not contracted to one of Wales’ four professional regions, crashed over in the corner. Jones was again unsuccessful with the kick.
However, flying fullback Muliaina came firing back and with a burst of electrifying pace and power beat the cover for a try that Carter was unable to convert.
Kiwi captain Richie McCaw was then penalised for holding on but Gavin Henson’s kick hit the post.
After a 10-minute period of blistering end-to-end periods of play, with the referee allowing great use of advantage and defenders dead on their feet, Rokocoko wrongfooted Thomas with a feigned kick and used his blistering pace to cross for a try. The conversion was missed.
With a clear three-on-one, Kiwi hooker Keven Mealamu then tried to dummy Thomas but the Toulouse player stood his ground and saved a sure try. The ball was recycled and once again it was Rokocoko who came close, only to put a foot in touch.
Replacement Kiwi centre Maa Nonu received a yellow card for pole-axing Henson in open field just after, and it was the centre himself who landed the 45m penalty kick.
With 10 minutes, left Carter knocked over another penalty to stretch the Kiwi lead to 26-22.
Wales came back and were awarded a penalty after camping on the New Zealand line. Henson was successful with the kick and the sides went into the last five minutes with one point in it.
But the All Blacks held on and Wales’ losing streak continued. — Sapa-AFP