Look back at match commentary here.
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Luke Charteris will captain a Wales side against the Chiefs on Tuesday night that features seven players who played against New Zealand in the first Test defeat on Saturday.
In reality, coach Steve Hansen’s meticulous succession planning during the previous World Cup cycle should ensure the team barely miss a beat, despite the global retirements of the likes of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw. As players, we have to take a bit of responsibility. “But we know that whoever steps into their jerseys now will be just as good”. It’s a significant tear but we’re unsure whether he needs an operation or not. They’ll come and throw the kitchen sink at us’.
Lock Sam Whitelock is doubtful for the second test after picking up a hamstring injury. We’re not sure whether he needs an operation on that.
Wales posed problems for the Kiwis during a first half in which they played with energy, enterprise and ambition.
Aaron Cruden, taking over the number 10 role formerly held by Carter, opened the scoring with a penalty having seen a second-minute effort strike the upright but the visitors responded quickly with the game’s first try after eight minutes.
Instead, halfback Aaron Smith opted for a quick tap and Naholo powered over from six metres out.
“I think they put a line in the sand”, he said.
Hansen has praised Naholo’s strength of character after the wing overcame a horror start to play a vital role in the win. “If it’s a pass-out of the back of the hand or round the back, then try it”.
“I made the comment to him, “Son the pleasing thing is that you came through the other side of that”.
“Normally you’re just coming right after a Test on Tuesday, so I’m glad I’m not playing”, he said.
“There were a lot of positives”, Gatland said.
However, double World Cup victor Kaino believes the hosts are ready to hit new heights in Wellington and Dunedin after blowing away some cobwebs in their first fixture since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in October.
The good of Amos was then followed by the naïve and his defensive error in showing Waisake Naholo the outside was ruthlessly exposed and ended with Cruden chipped left for Julian Savea to gather over the line.
The All Blacks celebrate Kieran Read’s try.
Wales have never beaten the All Blacks on their own turf in 26 Test stretching back to 1953.
The scoreline could have been even wider, with referee Wayne Barnes denying the All Blacks a sixth try for what he called a forward pass.
Still, the Welsh have sounded typically confident, and have spoken over the past week about the All Blacks’ weaknesses and vulnerability.
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The second test against the All Blacks takes place in Wellington on Saturday with the third in Dunedin a week later.
