Wales delivered a historic performance at the Principality Stadium, defeating New Zealand for the first time in 73 years to end a 34-match losing sequence dating back to 1953. Under the leadership of Steve Tandy, an unfancied Welsh side stunned the All Blacks in a chaotic nine-try Nations Championship thriller. The victory broke a 35-attempt losing run, sparking astonishing scenes as the home crowd celebrated a milestone that had eluded the nation for decades.
Steve Tandy’s side ends 34-match losing streak with historic nine-try thriller in Cardiff
The match featured a dramatic swing in momentum, with Wales establishing early dominance by leading 14-0, 21-7, and 35-21. Tries from T. Williams, Lake, Griffin, James, and Rees-Zammit, coupled with five conversions from Costelow, set the stage for a potential rout. However, New Zealand responded with tries from Ratima, Sititi, Fineanganofo, and Lakai, along with four conversions from Mo’unga, to keep the game alive and force a tense finish.
The decisive factor was Wales’ defensive resilience in the final quarter, where they successfully held off the All Blacks’ late surge. Flankers James Botham and Jac Morgan, alongside lock Dafydd Jenkins, anchored a wonderful defensive display that preserved the lead. This collective effort not only secured the win but also marked a pivotal turning point in Welsh rugby history, proving that the team could compete with and defeat the world’s best on their own turf.
Source: BBC Sport
