Read it and weep
Captain Kieran tames the dragon
AS far as new eras go, this was a satisfactory start.
Wales proved they are here to fight in this three-test series. But the All Blacks once again showed their superior fitness and depth to maintain their 63-year unbeaten run over the visitors and protect fortress Eden Park in a compelling five-tries-to-two 39-21 victory.
Three tries in the final 17 minutes - it could easily have been four with TJ Perenara denied his due to a debatable forward pass decision – followed a familiar script for the All Blacks.
They lost some greats of the game and over 700 test caps but their bench remains one of their greatest weapons. Kieran Read’s class of 2016 were far from perfect but the All Blacks never are in their first outing of the season.
Once Beauden Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu and Ardie Savea on debut (Seta Tamanivalu also gained his first cap) were unleashed the All Blacks gradually upped the tempo and ran over the top of a spirited Welsh side.
Aaron Smith – the littlest man on the park – led the All Blacks haka and his audacious tap-kick midway through the second half changed the game.
Smith sent Waisake Naholo charging for the line and as the Highlanders wing crashed over, momentum immediately swung.
This was a genuine test match. Wales clung to a three-point lead until Naholo’s second strike. Read essentially finished the job with 12 minutes remaining but Wales never stopped coming.
The All Blacks were a bit helterskelter for large patches, lacking their usual poise and composure. They looked imposing with their forwards charging on to the ball but only in the final 20 minutes did they have any clear dominance.
There’s plenty for Steve Hansen to mull over before next week’s second test in Wellington.
Wales and their healthy smattering of fans among the 46,270 sell-out crowd dared to dream for some time. The visitors were surprisingly adventurous on attack, creating tries for No 8 Toby Faletau and halfback Rhys Webb with crisp passing.
Dan Biggar controlled play through his kicking game from first five-eighth. The Welsh snaffled turnovers and caught the All Blacks napping on the counter.
Naholo had a mixed bag of a night. He scored from a Ben Smith breakout and had some good carries on the edge in the second spell. But he also made several handling errors - both under the high ball and from passes, and unnecessarily came off his wing in Faletau’s try.
The All Blacks’ work at the breakdown was sloppy at times. Aaron Smith had to deal with a lack of protection and scrappy ball which, in turn, stunted the backline’s ability to get a roll on.
There were some brilliant moments - Kieran Read’s take from the kickoff and Aaron Cruden’s cross-field kick for Julian Savea’s try. But too often early the All Blacks forced the issue with passes that didn’t need to be thrown.
There’s plenty for Steve Hansen to mull over before next week’s second test.
Their backline attack appeared too flat, with Wales’ rush defence regularly stifling time and space. The new midfield combination of Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa, in their second test start as a pairing, didn’t immediately gel as a result. And that same defensive pressure forced the All Blacks to kick away too much possession, rather than attempting to build phases.
Julian Savea, twice beaten by opposite George North, was hooked for Beauden Barrett two minutes into the second half – and it proved an inspired substitution. Barrett went to fullback and pushed Ben Smith to the left wing.
Wales were deserving of their 18-15 half time lead, one that could have been greater but for some stoic All Blacks defence.
But until they find another gear and way of sticking with the All Blacks late they are never going to break their long drought.
New Zealand: Julian Savea, Waisake Naholo 2, Kieran Read, Nathan Harris tries, Aaron Cruden pen 2, con 4 Wales: Toby Faletau, Rhys Webb tries, Dan Biggar pen 3, con HT: 15-18