Dan Carter was back to his menacing best as the All Blacks proved too strong for a travelling Wales side in the last ever Test match at the House of Pain, Carisbrook. New Zealand crushed the visitors 42-9, in what was a fitting farewell to the great venue.
Carter scored two of the All Blacks five tries as they ran the tired looking Welsh side ragged. His form brought back memories of 2005, when against the British & Irish Lions he showed his world class ability.
The Welsh kept up their 57 year losing streak against the number one ranked side in the world as they werent able to capitalise on what looked to be a decent start to the game. In the end they left with only the long range penalty from Leigh Halfpenny, and an early dropgoal and penalty from flyhalf Stephen Jones.
Keven Mealamu, Corey Jane and Richard Kahui all crossed for the home side as they took their chances and punished a lacklustre Wales in the last twenty minutes of the game.
"We faced a very good team that capitalised on every mistake we made. We matched them in the set-pieces, but we lost out around the rest of the park," said Ryan Jones.
All Black coach Graeme Henry expects a backlash next weekend.
"I think they've got a lot of pride, a lot of pride as a rugby nation. They will be hurting and when the Welsh dragon is hurt it usually breathes a bit of fire. I'd say they'd be right up for it."
Wales coach Warren Gatland, returning to his homeland, said his side will learn from it.
"I'd love to play the All Blacks every week because that is the only way you get better. The last thing we would want to do is get on a plane tomorrow and go home. We have another chance next week and we have some positives and some negatives to work on.
"The pace, the tempo and the intensity is not something that we face every week," he added.
Time:
05:05
0 Comments