The Sports Corner

All Blacks too much for resurgent Wales

The All Blacks moved one game closer to a November tour grand slam with a hard fought 29-9 win over Wales in Cardiff.

It marked the third week in a row where the All Blacks had not surrendered a try, such was their defensive dominance.

But the score does not reflect how close the game was with the score locked up at 9-9 after 50 minutes. It was hard running centre Ma’a Nonu who broke the deadlock when he plunged across the line for the first try of the game.

Thereafter the All Blacks machine stepped up a gear with flanker Jerome Kaino capping the game off on the last drive with a try of his own.

Dan Carter again had a fairly indifferent game with the boot, but kicked the points when they were most needed. He finished with a personal tally of 19 points from five penalties and two conversions.

Wales coach Warren Gatland faced his home nation for the first time and maybe it was some inside knowledge which led the fiery opening minutes where the Welsh team - arms locked in unison - stood down the New Zealand haka causing South African referee Johnathon Kaplan to step in for fear the game could get ugly before the ball had even been kicked off.

Kaplan was forced to manhandle some of the All Blacks players to get them back into position after neither side broke away from their stance to start the game.

“It’s something we came up with during the week, essentially what we were trying to show is it’s our stadium, our fans and we weren’t prepared to give up the ground,” said Welsh captain Ryan Jones.

“I am just delighted with the guys,” New Zealand coach Graham Henry said. “I think they had a super second half, probably the best half of rugby we have played all year. Wales were highly competitive.”

Gatland said he was very proud of his team’s first half performance. “But the All Blacks are clearly the best side in the world at the moment,” he said.

All Black skipper Richie McCaw was named man of the match after several key turnovers at the breakdown. McCaw, forever playing a fine line at the breakdown between brilliant play and penalty scavenged his team ahead and matched his prowess at the ruck with decisive ball running.

Wales who has not beaten New Zealand in 55 years will have to continue the wait. Next week they face another undefeated tourist in Australia. New Zealand will move on to play England in the last game of their European tour.