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All Blacks sweep Wales aside
November 23, 2008 - 6:21AM
Wales 9 New Zealand 29
New Zealand on Saturday scored a 20th consecutive rugby victory over Wales stretching back 55 years, withstanding a ferocious first-half from the home side to come away convincing 29-9 winners.
The win sets the All Blacks firmly on the road to completing a grand slam against the four home nations after previous wins over Scotland and Ireland and a final fixture against England next weekend.
Returning to the scene of France's smash-and-grab victory in last year's World Cup quarter-final, New Zealand scored two tries through Ma'a Nonu and Jerome Kaino while Dan Carter booted 19 points.
Wales' points came from Stephen Jones' three first-half penalties, meaning the All Blacks have not conceded a try in their three games on tour.
The start of the game was made all the more electrifying after the Welsh players refused to back away from the pre-game haka. Referee Jonathan Kaplan was powerless to do anything and it was the All Blacks who eventually yielded at the behest of captain Richie McCaw.
"I'm very happy with the performance today,'' said man-of-the-match McCaw.
"We were facing a passionate Wales team and we tried to get the ascendancy in the game. We weren't rattled by what happened after the haka. We kept out composure but needed to regroup at half-time (when the All Blacks trailed 9-6).''
New Zealand coach Graham Henry said he was "delighted'' with the result, and called the game ``a hell of a good Test match''.
"We played a superb second-half and showed a huge amount of composure. I think it was the best half of rugby we've played this year.''
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...375016199.html