Reality dawns after Wales dared to dream

Wales beat New Zealand 35-28 in Cardiff on 14 November 2026, ending a 73-year wait and a run of 34 defeats against the All Blacks. The result is a landmark for Welsh rugby and a striking turnaround for a team that had recently struggled for wins.

Before the match, Wales were ranked 10th in the world and New Zealand were top. Wales had endured a record 18 straight Test defeats after the 2023 World Cup, while coach Steve Tandy had won only four of his first 13 Tests; he is now the first Wales head coach to beat New Zealand.