Dogged Welshmen fall short of a shock

NEW ZEALAND survived ferocious Welsh pressure to see off Warren Gatland’s battling side 33-18 and complete a northern hemisphere whitewash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium with a fifth tour victory.

The match was closer than the scoreline suggested, though the All Blacks eventually powered to a 30th successive victory over their opponents by virtue of their powerful wings Waisake Naholo and man of the match Rieko Ioane, who each scored two tries.

They were given a mighty scare by the home side, who hinted at an upset just before the interval with a well-worked move that let in Scott Williams for a try in his 50th international. A raucous home crowd sensed a possible first victory in 64 years over their illustrious opponents with the score just 12-11 to the visitors.

There could and should have been more points as Wales, who enjoyed 63 per cent of territory and possession, camped out on the All Black line for long periods, only to lack the killer punch.

New Zealand were typically clinical with the ball and Anton Lienert-Brown also crossed after the interval.

Even then, Gareth Davies scored with Sam Whitelock in the bin, but Ioane’s second try put the game to bed.