Match Centre: Wales 16-54 New Zealand
Beauden Barrett made his 100th appearance for New Zealand
©PA
Wales 16-54 New Zealand, Principality Stadium
Beauden Barrett celebrated his 100th appearance with two tries as New Zealand went on to complete a 54-16 win at Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Beauden's double was amongst the seven tries scored by the All Blacks in the game against a depleted Wales side, who had a number of key players unavailable due to injuries and also due to club duties as the encounter was played outside the traditional international window.
Alun Wyn Jones also made his 149th appearance for Wales overtaking former New Zealand star Richie McCaw for most games played for one country though his evening lasted just 19 minutes as he was sidelined by an injury with Jonathan Davies taking over the leadership.
Wales had a tough start as a pass from Gareth Anscombe was intercepted by Beauden as he scored the opening try in the 4th minute with his brother Jordie Barrett slotting the conversion. Anscombe made amends with a penalty kick in the 6th minute helping Wales narrow down the deficit.
With Jones also leaving the field, New Zealand seized on the momentum with Jordie kicking two more penalties as New Zealand increased their lead to 10 points by the half-hour mark. New Zealand's sustained pressure provided dividends with TJ Perenara dotting down in the 34th minute but the conversion went wide as the scoreline became 3-18.
As the half-time was approaching, Wales also lost Ross Moriarty to injury after a tackle from Nepo Laulala, who was sin-binned following which Anscombe kicked his second penalty goal as the opening half ended with a scoreline of 6-18.
The start of the second half saw Jordie and Rhys Priestland exchange penalties as the gap between the sides continued to remain at 12. Nevertheless, the All Blacks extended their dominance with a brilliant solo effort from Will Jordan as he dived over the line in the 55th minute and Jordie improved it making it 9-28.
Even though Johnny Williams' try in the 60th minute provided some hole for Wales, the strength of the All Blacks were too much to handle for Wayne Pivac's side as Dalton Papalii (64'), Sevu Reece (66') and Anton Lienert-Brown (71') scored further tries before Beauden's second in the final minute sailed them past the 50-point mark.
New Zealand will be next locking horns with Italy at Olimpico Stadio on 6th November while Wales will be hosting South Africa.
Team line up:
Wales XV : McNicholl; Lane, J Davies, J Williams, Adams; Anscombe, T Williams; W Jones, Elias, Francis, Beard, AW Jones, Moriarty, Basham, Wainwright.
New Zealand XV : J Barrett; Jordan, Lienert-Brown, Havili, R Ioane; B Barrett, TJ Perenara; Moody, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, Whitelock, Blackadder, Papalii, Savea.
