All Blacks find cutting edge to put brave Wales to the sword

LET’S not take anything away from Wales’ effort at Eden Park yesterday, but, in the end, anyone who knows anything about international rugby could have probably written the script way before the kick-off.

Wales were brave and, more to the point, creative, but a new-look All Blacks always had that cutting edge to make Wales pay for their mistakes.

In Wales’ case, those mistakes came in the form of three lost lineouts – two in New Zealand’s 22 – and a number of missed tackles.

And, let us not forget that, although Steve Hansen’s side were stripped of more than 400 caps because of the retirements of Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’s Nonu and Conrad Smith, their replacements are players with plenty of international experience.

But New Zealand have not played since they became world champions again in October and Wales knew this was their best shot at that elusive victory. And I know first-hand from British Lions’ trips you have to put down a marker very early on tour.

In 1983, the Lions were whitewashed 3-0 and you have to fear that Wales will go the same way after this defeat.

But let’s not be too down on Wales. They went out onto Eden Park, where New Zealand have not lost in their previous 34 appearances, with a positive attitude and had obviously put to the back of their minds that awful second-half against England last month.

And it was refreshing that Gatland’s usual rigid approach – ‘Warrenball’– had been put to one side (I think there was only once when we used Jamie Roberts on the crash ball), allowing individual flair to come to the fore. That was the reason Wales scored those impressive two first-half tries.

Before the match Sam Warburton had said “he who dares, wins” and Wales’ refreshing approach through the likes of Liam Williams, Taulupe Faletau and George North left the All Blacks knowing they were in a game.

If only Wales had been able to score right at the end of the opening period they would have gone into the second half with an eight or 10-point lead rather than only three.

You always knew the All Blacks would be more effective in the second half, not least because of who they were able to bring off the replacements’ bench.

To see such a creative player such as Beauden Barrett come on after 45 minutes just backs that up.

If defeat was not bad enough, Wales now have to get themselves up for not one but two games this week. First, they play the Chiefs in Hamilton on Tuesday before heading to Wellington for the Second Test on Saturday.

You have to ask whether Wales have got the strength in depth to cope with what stands in their way this week. Surely it would have been better to take an A team to fulfil the Chiefs fixture but presumably that would have been too costly.

The squad has already suffered injuries to Paul James and Lloyd Williams and, during the First Test yesterday, George North and Alun Wyn Jones, who was magnificent on his 100th appearance, took knocks.

Surely Wales need to concentrate fully on the Second Test than worry about an unnecessary friendly. It really plays into the All Blacks’ hands.

Saturday will be hard enough as it is against a New Zealand side that are bound to be more prepared for Wales.

I think 32-21 would have been a fair enough score yesterday, but New Zealand are inherently ruthless. The All Blacks, more than any other rugby side, go for the jugular and you knew they were going to score their fifth try in injury time. It gave a lop-sided look to the scoreboard and did not reflect the huge part Wales played in the 80 minutes.

Let’s hope for a better result on Saturday, but I fear much of the same. Sponsored by...