New Zealand recorded a 39-21 win over Wales, but the All Blacks trailed going into the final quarter, before pulling clear.
Advertisement
He is due to be assessed on Sunday but Wales have already called up Keelan Giles from the Wales Under-20s squad now competing at the Junior World Cup in Manchester.
Read said that in the first half their set pieces were “a little bit off the mark” but was pleased with the All Blacks “great” line out and praised the players who came off the bench. Its eventual winning margin, while apparently convincing, was its slimmest ever in a home test against Wales.
The first half was enthralling, with New Zealand predictably doing all the early pressing.
Replacement hooker Kristian Dacey crossed for the tourists after they dominated possession for the first 15 minutes of the second half but the Chiefs defended furiously before striking back with the three late tries. Winger George North was particulary risky, making 121 meters and breaking seven tackles.
For Wales, the result meant their wait for a first victory over New Zealand since 1953 stretches on.
Ellis Jenkins, who made his Test debut at Eden Park on Saturday, starts at openside flanker alongside Josh Turnbull and number eight James King. “The Welsh were fired up”, he said.
“Like, in the weekend you had guys coming on like Crocky [Crockett], Patrick [Tuipulotu], a lot of guys came and injected a bit of energy, a bit of voice”.
It was a 30-metre North break that again lifted Wales’ spirits but their attempt to test Ben Smith with a high kick backfired.
Smith took the quick tap that led to Naholo’s pivotal second half try and the No. 9 agrees it was the turning point of the match.
Naholo stepped around Hallam Amos to lead the All Blacks deep into Welsh territory, where Cruden slotted a precise cross kick into the arms of Savea who scored in the left corner.
When New Zealand knuckled down to the hard work of ball retention, the tide of the match changed.
Read’s try gave the All Blacks breathing space with 13 minutes to go.
“We haven’t played like that in the past, not because the coaches haven’t wanted us to, but because we haven’t taken those risks ourselves”.
Warburton said that Wales were, “tired of being heroic losers, I know everyone back home feels the same, so we’re doing everything we can behind closed doors to get a win, and it’s something we’re desperate to do”.
Advertisement
Giles is flying to New Zealand after impressing at the World Rugby U20 Championship, where he scored two tries in a one-point loss to Ireland.
