Rugby: All Blacks beaten by Wales
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL and L’essentiel
Wales beat New Zealand 35-28 on Saturday, their first victory over the All Blacks since 1953. The defeat leaves the race for the Twickenham final for the Southern Hemisphere open, after the Springboks' misstep against France in Paris on Friday evening.
According to IOL, Wales beat New Zealand in round five of the Nations Championship. The Welsh, who scored five tries, led 14-0 as early as the sixth minute.
The All Blacks, with Beauden Barrett wearing the captain’s armband for the first time in 149 caps, drew level at 21-21 before half-time, thanks in particular to a try by Cortez Ratima and a 60-metre break after a stolen lineout. Peter Lakai scored the try that made it 35-28 in the 52nd minute. The New Zealanders then pressed for around 30 minutes without managing to score.
The Welsh had lost 24 of their 26 matches between the 2023 World Cup and the end of the 2026 Six Nations. Three recent wins, against Italy, Fiji and Japan, had given them some renewed hope, while the nation is going through severe financial difficulties.
In the Nations Championship standings, New Zealand have sole possession of top spot in the Southern group on the bonus point, one point ahead of South Africa. Wales, who have three wins from five matches, have moved up the table but still trail France by a clear margin, France having led going into the final round.
