Wales made New Zealand work for 80 minutes but they still equalled South Africa’s record of four Grand Slams over the Home Nations.
Wales were first on the score sheet thanks to the boot of Stephen Jones. But three minutes later the All Blacks went in front with an unconverted try to Hosea Gear. This was followed shortly later with Dan Carter potting a penalty 3-8. Wales were competing at the breakdown but a poor kick from defence led to the next try as Mils Muliania took a pass from Carter to run in untouched 3-13. Stephen Jones did keep Wales in tough with two further kicks, taking us in to half-time at 9-13.
The second period and Wales started brightly forcing Kiwi errors and eventually replacement Daniel Braid earned a yellow card presenting Jones with a simple penalty to bring Wales to within a point at 12-13. These All Blacks however are made of stern stuff and in fact it was them who kicked on with a classy try and Hosea Gear’s second touch down Carter added the extras 12-20, then he added another cancelled out by Jones who then kicked a 47 metre one to bring the scores to 18-23. Wales were still giving it their all but it was the men in Black who crossed twice more through Isaia Toeava and John Afoa, whilst Lee Byrne got a late Wales try to give us the final score of:
Wales 25-37 New Zealand
Scorers
Wales
Try: Byrne Con: S Jones Pens: S Jones 6
New Zealand
Tries: Gear 2, Muliaina, Toeava, Afoa Cons: Carter 2 Pens: Carter 3
Teams
Wales: Byrne, North, Shanklin, Hook, Tom James, Stephen Jones, Phillips, Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Lydiate (Powell 48), Warburton (Martyn Williams 75), Ryan Jones (Thomas 48).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Paul James, Richie Rees, Bishop.
New Zealand: Muliaina, Toeava, Smith, Williams (Nonu 49), Gear, Carter, Cowan, Woodcock, Mealamu (Hore 75), Owen Franks (Afoa 62), Thorn, Whitelock (Boric 55), Kaino, McCaw, Read (Braid 37).
Subs Not Used: Ellis, Donald.
Att: 73,789
Ref: A Lewis (Ireland).