Inspired Wales beat New Zealand for first time in 73 years

CARDIFF, Nov 14 : Wales ended a 73-year winless sequence against New Zealand with a stunning 35-28 victory in the Nations Championship on Saturday.

Wales, who last overcame the All Blacks in 1953 and have endured a dismal recent run, outscored the visitors five tries to four and produced a defensive performance for the ages to end a run of 34 losses to the three-times world champions.

They caught New Zealand cold with two early tries and two more at the start of the second half, and heroic Welsh defence resisted waves of attacks in the closing stages to hold on for a famous victory. 

"It's come from belief. Obviously we've got the crowd behind us, and the energy and the noise was unbelievable," said Welsh man of the match James Botham.

"We've been training on the defensive side of things, and it shows how training has come on and just how much we have got each other's back."

The Wales players team were in tears at the end amid raucous celebrations at the Principality Stadium after Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake, Archie Griffin, Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit scored tries and Sam Costelow was immaculate with the boot.

New Zealand’s tries were scored by Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Fehi Fineanganofo and Peter Lakai, all converted by Richie Mo’unga.

EARLY LEAD

Home supporters were pinching themselves as Wales took less than 90 seconds to open the scoring and crossed the All Blacks' line for a second try five minutes later to move 14-0 ahead.

Williams’ long pass to Rees-Zammit set up the first try with the winger kicking the ball ahead and the scrumhalf following up and being first to dive on the loose ball.

Captain Lake scored the second try as he powered over from close range after Jac Morgan’s burst set up the opportunity.

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