New-look All Blacks give Gatland a headache after series thrashing
IF Warren Gatland does return to these shores with the Lions next summer, the video of this defeat will provide painful but necessary viewing.
The dragons’ flames were blown out like a tealight in Dunedin. Wales ran out of puff and the new-look All Blacks offered a glimpse of what to expect in 2017’s three-Test spectacle.
New Zealand outmuscled and outwitted their opponents, wrapping up the 3-0 ‘Blackwash’ and claiming their 29th consecutive victory in this one-sided duel. ‘It’s going to be a huge challenge for whoever’s involved next year,’ said Gatland, favourite to lead the Lions tour.
‘They will be very happy with how they’ve blooded some new players. Until I went away from New Zealand to work, I didn’t realise how hard it was to come and win here. There were a lot of positives in the first two Tests but this was disappointing. We came out here to evolve our attack but our defence let us down.’
New Zealand were well past the post by half-time, with two of their back-three — Ben Smith and Israel Dagg — feeding off loose tactical kicks from Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb.
‘Maybe some of the Welsh were already on the plane home because they’re better than that,’ said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
He had made 12 changes to his match-day 23, one of whom, debutant Liam Squires, was spotted buying an All Blacks jersey in a local sports shop on Friday because he did not want to ask the management.
It is a period of transition for the world champions following the retirements of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu et al, but utility back Smith has stepped up to steady the ship.
After Biggar put Wales 6-3 ahead, Smith began to tear up defenders with his running from deep, finding himself held up by Rhys Patchell. But the All Blacks maintained the territory and Smith dived over off a pass from namesake, Aaron.
Centre George Moala was the surprise inclusion in Hansen’s line-up and showed signs of his raw prowess.
Beauden Barrett kept the scoreboard ticking but Moala dropped the ball over the line after more silky interplay between Dagg and Barrett, who provided an innovative grubber kick.
The rookie made up for his butterfingers minutes later. Aaron Smith’s classy distribution helped move the ball from left to right and Moala dived over. ‘We’ve answered a lot of questions,’ said Hansen. ‘Is our game where we want it to be? No, but it never is. Not many teams can carry on after losing 800 caps.’
In the second half, Barrett landed a quick double jab to set up the knockout with two tries either side of a Sam Cane yellow card.
Wales conceded their 26th try in five games as hooker Dane Coles capitalised on a series of Kiwi phases, then the tally went to 27, with Dagg breaking clear in the last play of the game.