Cruden guides All Blacks past Wales

CARDIFF: Aaron Cruden (pic) guided world champions New Zealand to a comfortable 33-10 victory over Wales on Saturday to extend their unbeaten streak to 20 matches.

The All Blacks outscored the Welsh three tries to two, but 18 points from the boot of the flawless Cruden, quick play of the ball, a ruthless defence and mastery at the breakdown were key to their success at a packed Millennium Stadium.

Wales’ early hopes were not helped by their insistence on spurning three kickable penalties, and the defeat for Warren Gatland’s men was their sixth on the trot, their worst run of defeats since 2003.

It was also a 25th consecutive loss to the All Blacks since 1953.

The game featured a ferocious, noholds barred opening quarter that saw three Welshmen helped off.

In the opening minute, All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore took out lock Bradley Davies with a cynical swinging arm to the head and then tight head prop Aaron Jarvis suffered a nasty knee injury.

Wales surprisingly spurned two kickable penalties, instead asking Rhys Priestland to kick for the corner. The second of his efforts went dead and handed the impetus straight back to the visitors.

And Cruden, in for the injured playmaker Dan Carter, made no mistake with his first effort at goal in the 10th minute.

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny showed all his defensive qualities with a tackle to wrap up winger Julian Savea in the corner as Cruden and Conrad Smith started to open up the Welsh backs.

As centre Jamie Roberts was helped off the field, Cruden kicked a second penalty, again for offside in the backline and then added a third when Wales captain Sam Warbuton was penalised for playing the ball on the ground.

In Arberdeen, Coach Andy Robinson’s job is on the line after Scotland plunged to the most humiliating defeat in their history, beaten 15-21 by lowly Tonga on Saturday.

And a furious Robinson dubbed the latest miserable performance “unacceptable” and admitted “there will be consequences“.

“That was a totally unacceptable performance we’ve witnessed today. From my side I’m very angry. There will be consequences because of this performance. I won’t go through yet what those will be. It reflects on me,” Robinson said.

Asked about his own future, Robinson merely said: “We’ll look at everything.”

Having been hammered by the superpowers of the southern hemisphere in a disastrous autumn series, few would have imagined the Scots could slump even lower to claim a mini wooden spoon.

But the fired-up Tongans took Aberdeen by storm to claim their first ever Test triumph on the European stage.

The islanders bagged the only two tries in a frantic encounter – with the home brigade failing to impose any real authority.

And with Scotland also facing a nightmare World Cup draw thanks to their recent dreadful displays, Murrayfield chiefs must now decide if Robinson is the right man to stay at the helm for the Six Nations campaign. — AFP