Wales came within a point of defeat New Zealand on Saturday, putting together 80 minutes of breathless rugby that sent the Cardiff faithful into full voice. In the end, two tries from All Black star Joe Rokocoko left the tourists leading 26-25 at the final whistle.
Mike Ruddock's men gave Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, the two previous Wales coaches now in charge of New Zealand, a distinctly uncomfortable return to Cardiff but the All Blacks' incisive edge eventually proved conclusive.
The bare facts are that the All Blacks overturned an 11-3 deficit to edge ahead and keep a battling Wales at bay with Rokocoko's brace, a try from Mils Muliaina and Daniel Carter's 11 points.
But the mere statistics do not tell the story of Wales' bravery, heart and fight as they pushed the All Blacks right to the death. Their position as one of the major forces in world rugby has been confirmed, but their hunt for a major scalp goes on.
They had begun with fire in their bellies, desperate to end a losing run against the All Blacks which stretches back 51 years, and opened that 11-3 lead with a cleverly-worked try from Tom Shanklin.
The All Blacks responded with Rokocoko claiming a controversial score when Sonny Parker appeared to have been impeded but, through the boot of the excellent Stephen Jones, Wales retained a one-point lead heading into half-time.
Hooker Mefin Davies dived over just after half time to extend that advantage to 19-13 before Mils Muliaina and Rokocoko stung Wales inside eight minutes.
Roared on by a packed house desperate to witness a slice of Welsh rugby history, Gareth Thomas' men refused to buckle, but Gavin Henson's two penalties were not quite enough to earn Wales the win their determination and passion deserved.
Much has changed since Wales last beat New Zealand. In December 1953, Tony Blair was six months old and Sir Winston Churchill was in his second term in office.
In the intervening 51 years, beating New Zealand has developed into Wales' very own Everest and in the 16 Tests since Bleddyn Williams' side triumphed at the old Arms Park they have taken some fearful hidings.
But they came into today's game proclaiming a genuine belief that they could bury the hoodoo and finally nail the big scalp that has proven so elusive in the last year.
Wales' renaissance began at the World Cup 12 months ago when Hansen was in charge and they have proven in the last year to be good enough to compete with the best sides in the world.
But they had fallen on the wrong side of the ledger each time, losing to the All Blacks in that momentous World Cup game, England twice and a fortnight ago, to South Africa who held on by two points.
They were performances which had impressed Henry and Hansen, but New Zealand arrived boasting great quality. Star wingers Rokocoko and Doug Howlett boasted a remarkable 59 tries in 64 Tests between them.
But Wales recalled their own dangerous finisher in Shane Williams ― who caused the All Blacks such problems in the World Cup ― with Shanklin switched to the opposite wing and New Zealand-born Parker started in the centres.
All three were key players, along with Jones who orchestrated the first try and was the brilliant fulcrum of Wales' attacking force. His only blemish were three missed kicks. Crucial as it turned out.
It was designed to douse the All Blacks' early and fire and help Wales, whose slow start against South Africa proved costly, hit the ground running ― and it worked as Wales opened an 11-3 lead in the first 26 minutes.
Dwayne Peel was short in his attempted dart for the line but it prompted an exchange of penalties before Jones, who had already carved open New Zealand's defence once, created the first try.
Wales turned over New Zealand's ball and Jones chipped over the top for Shanklin who beat Casey Laulala and Muliaina in the race for the touchdown.
Another penalty, earned by Wales' forward power after Aaron Mauger's knock-on, opened Wales that 11-3 advantage ― only for the All Blacks to hit back in controversial fashion.
Parker appeared to be obstructed as the All Blacks broke and Muliaina danced down the touchline before feeding Rokocoko for his first try of the evening. It was met with boos from the Welsh crowd but Carter kept his cool to slot the conversion and reduce the arrears to a point.
Carter then kicked New Zealand ahead after Wales had dealt well with a threat from Rokocoko, only for Charvis, Shanklin and Williams to carry Wales forward again.
New Zealand, under growing pressure, finally cracked, allowing Jones to boot Wales into a 14-13 half-time lead.
Wales forced a five metre scrum immediately after the interval, moved to within inches of the All Blacks' line and hooker Davies dived over.
But there was no respite for the Welsh. Carter sent over Muliaina, and after Henson had hit the post with a penalty, Wales were stung on the counter-attack and Rokocoko seared in for his 27th try in 22 Tests.
Wales' hopes were given a boost on the hour when replacement All Black centre Ma'a Nonu was sin-binned for a late tackle on Henson. He picked himself up and landed the kick. Wales were back within a point at 23-22 down.
Carter extended that lead again as Wales were penalised at the breakdown.
Instead of pushing for the try, Henson slotted the kick but Wales could not break the All Blacks down again.
They had fallen short again by the tightest of margins.
Man of the match: Plenty of candidates on display. For Wales, Colin Charvis pulled it out of the bag (as he so often does on the major stage), Gareth Thomas was commanding, and Stephen Jones reacted to play like he had read the script before the event had started. For New Zealand, Richie McCaw lead like a veteran, and Mils Muliana showed some fine touches. But our award goes to All Black hooker Keven Mealamu who put in an absolutely indefatigable performance.
Moment of the match: Spoilt for choice!. So many nice moments of individual class and cunning ― but the sight of New Zealand hitting back with Muliana's try after conceded showed just what these All Blacks are capable of doing. Why they can't sustain this level of concentration ― and willing ― is something Graham Henry will need to address.
Villain of the match: All Black replacement Ma'a Nonu deserves a rap across the knuckles for his yellow card, but why spoil a good party? No villains.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Tries: Shanklin, Davies
Pens: Jones 4, Henson
For New Zealand:
Tries: Rokocoko 2, Muliaina
Con: Carter
Pens: Carter 3
The teams:
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Rodney So'oialo, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Anton Oliver, 17 Carl Hayman, 18 Reuben Thorne, 19 Marty Holah, 20 Byron Kelleher, 21 Ma'a Nonu, 22 Rico Gear.
Wales: 15 Gareth Thomas (captain), 14 Tom Shanklin, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Gaving Henson, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Michael Owen, 7 Colin Charvis, 6 Dafydd Jones, 5 Gareth Llewellyn, 4 Brent Cockbain, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Steven Jones, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Martyn Williams, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Rys Williams.
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