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All Blacks ran into a Welsh brick wall – Barrett
Wales beat New Zealand 35-28 at the Principality Stadium, ending a 34-match losing streak against the All Blacks and recording their first win over them since 1953. Beauden Barrett said Wales’ defence felt like a “brick wall”, as the hosts held firm to secure a landmark result.
Wales scored a record five tries against New Zealand and made 346 tackles, with Dafydd Jenkins leading the team with 38. They held New Zealand up over the line three times in the second half. Coach Dave Rennie said his side lacked precision despite creating chances, and called for a response against England at Twickenham; a bonus-point win there would secure top spot in the southern hemisphere table.
In short
- Wales beat New Zealand for the first time since 1953.
- A record five tries and 346 tackles powered the win.
- Rennie wants an All Blacks response at Twickenham.
Explained simply
The All Blacks are New Zealand’s national rugby union team, while Wales represent one of the sport’s oldest international sides. Their meetings have often favoured New Zealand, making the teams’ long-running rivalry part of the context for this result.
In rugby union, teams can score by grounding the ball in the opposition’s in-goal area, while defenders try to stop them through tackles and by holding up the ball. Wales’ defensive work was central to the match, and the result ended a run of 34 defeats to New Zealand stretching back to 1953.
The Principality Stadium in Cardiff is Wales’ home ground. New Zealand coach Dave Rennie’s reference to the next match against England reflects the tight schedule of international rugby, where teams quickly move on to another opponent.