New Zealand produced another dominant second-half performance to crush battling Wales in Wellington last weekend. Alun Wyn Jones\’ 38th-minute try tied the scores 10-10 at the interval. However, inspired by replacement fly-half Beauden Barrett, the All Blacks scored four tries in fourteen minutes after the break – Ben Smith, Barrett, Waiseke Naholo and Ardie Savea crossing the line. Liam Williams and Jonathan Davies scored in a late flurry, but Wales have now not beaten the Kiwis in 28 games.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said
“There were big improvements across the board, our line-out was much better and the scrum as well. You\’d still expect a lot of improvement for the third Test. It\’s all about keeping the foot on the throat for longer periods and not allowing them to escape from the pressure we are trying to impose on them,”
Wales have not beaten New Zealand in 28 attempts since 1953 and have never enjoyed an away victory against them.
Gethin Jenkins and Bradley Davies have been ruled out of the third Test in Dunedin on Saturday. The two players picked up injuries in the second Test. There are further injury concerns among the remaining squad, with British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts required to pass a fitness test if he is to be able to start the match at inside centre alongside Jonathan Davies.
This is the last match of a very long season for Wales. They will be encouraged that two of the All Blacks tries in Wellington came from ball turned over at the line out. Remove those errors in Dunedin and they will think they still stand a chance of getting a result out of the toughest of all summer tours.
However set against this there has to be a doubt as to whether they can maintain the late game intensity that saw them through everything at the All Blacks late on in Wellington.
Again New Zealand are 21 point favourites on the handicap for this game (10/11 at Ladbrokes) despite Wales having covered in the first two tests. This should be the game that the All Blacks cover against a tired and injury hit opponent.
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