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Wales kick off their autumnal campaign with an eagerly-awaited clash with New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium this evening. The Welsh, of course, are on a 20-Test losing streak against the All Blacks but head coach Warren Gatland has stirred things up nicely by claiming that Kiwis have lost their aura of invincibility and are effectively there for the taking.
Unfortunately for Wales, they go into the game shorn of the services of Mike Phillips, Lee Byrne and Adam Jones through injury. Even worse for the hosts, All Blacks No.10 Dan Carter has been passed fit to start.
Wales gave New Zealand an almighty fright in Cardiff last season before eventually slumping to a 29-9 defeat so will they fare any better today? We're about to find out as kick-off is just moments away.
First, though, we have the haka. It wasn't quite as tense as last year, when were treated to a dramatic stand-off between the two sets of players but the crowd did get involved, with chants of 'Wales' ringing around the ground as the Kiwis performed their pre-match ritual.
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| 1 |
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Dan Carter gets us underway in Cardiff. Ryan Jones lays down an early marker with a massive early hit. Tom Shanklin instigates an early break but it comes to nothing.
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| 3 |
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The All Blacks claim a lineout on halfway and Carter sends a booming kick towards the Welsh 22. Hook, playing at fullback today, collects it superbly and sends it hurtling deep into New Zealand territory. Plenty of kicking early doors.
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| 5 |
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After that bout of early ping pong, Wales finally decide to keep the ball in hand. Cooper lifts the crowd with a scintillating break which eventually leads to New Zealand No.8 Read giving away a penalty at the breakdown.
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| 7 |
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Blues fullback Leigh Halfpenny steps up to take the long-range penalty from wide on the left-hand side but his contact is poor and the ball drifts harmlessly to the right. Somewhat surprisingly, Halfpenny didn't even have the distance on that one.
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| 9 |
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The Welsh have started really brightly here and are currently taking the ball through plenty of phases, working the Kiwis from side to side. However, Roberts then kicks the ball aimlessly into touch, gifting possession back to the All Blacks.
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| 11 |
0 - 3 |
Halfpenny tries to break inside but he runs into traffic and is ultimately pinged for not releasing. Penalty New Zealand. Carter takes his time before eventually opening the scoring with a splendidly-struck kick from some 40 metres out. That's desperately disappointing for Wales as they'd made the better start.
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| 13 |
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Jones elects to put his kick-off deep into New Zealand territory and nobody is quite sure why because it was, unsurprisingly, easily dealt with by the All Blacks and Wales are now back on halfway.
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| 15 |
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Ryan Jones looks like a man on a mission at the moment. His captaincy has been called into question a number of times this year but he's popping up everywhere and is really leading by example, taking the game to the Kiwis.
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| 17 |
3 - 3 |
Richie McCaw has been rather harshly penalised for playing the ball on the floor but Jones doesn't care and he levels the match with the resulting strike on goal. On a side note, Jerome Kaino is currently receiving treatment but he should be able to continue by the looks of it.
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| 18 |
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Luke Charteris storms forward for Wales but then Powell is guilty of coming in from the side. Carter relieves the pressure with a stunning punt down into the Welsh 22.
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| 20 |
3 - 6 |
New Zealand win the resulting lineout and Carter lobs the ball high towards the left wing. However, Halfpenny manages to deflect the ball into touch. Wales escape...... for now.
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| 21 |
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New Zealand keep the pressure on and Carter treads a grubber kick in behind the Welsh defence. The All Blacks recover the ball but just as they look like they are about to drive their way over the line, Leonard knocks on. Play is brought back for an earlier offence by the Welsh, though, and Carter slots over from close range to put Graham Henry's men back in front.
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| 23 |
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An excellently worked Welsh set-piece sees Roberts breakthrough in midfield. New Zealand defend it superbly, though, eventually forcing a turnover. However, Muliaina then sees his attempted clearance charged down. Wales continue to apply the pressure but a lost lineout allows the Kiwis to clear the danger.
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| 26 |
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Wales continue to press but a sloppy pass from Cooper does Roberts no favour. The hosts keep it alive but then Shanklin is set upon by three black jerseys in the middle of the park and coughs up possession.
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| 27 |
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Williams tries to get something going from deep but after off-loading to Powell, Wales are again turned over. The All Blacks aren't offering much by way of an attacking threat but their work of the floor has been exemplary.
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| 28 |
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New Zealand very nearly crafted a try from themselves moments ago but after some soft hands from Guildford, Jane fumbles Nonu's pass, knocking the ball on in the process. Scrum Wales.
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| 30 |
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Jones chips the ball over the onrushing All Blacks defence. It bounces favourably for Shanklin but the centre is unable to gather it cleanly and knocks it on. A shame for Wales as Roberts was lurking menacingly in support.
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| 32 |
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Yet another promising Welsh attack comes to nothing after more indiscipline at the breakdown. The home fans' sense of frustration is growing.
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| 34 |
6 - 6 |
Credit to Wales, they just keep coming and although New Zealand have snuffed out the danger created by some neat passing on the right-hand side, the visitors have been penalised for having a man on the wrong side of a ruck. Jones steps up to nail the penalty and we're all square once again.
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| 36 |
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New Zealand are penalised in the set-piece, allowing Jones to boot Wales into an advantageous attacking position. New Zealand, though, are proving a very tough nut to crack and again force the turnover.
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| 39 |
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New Zealand start to build some attacking momentum of their own but after some tremendous off-loads in midfield the Kiwis eventually run out of room and the ball is knocked on.
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| 40 |
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And there's the half time whistle. It's only six points apiece but it's been fascinating fare thus far. Wales have showed the greater attacking threat and are trying desperately to dictate the pace of the game. However, New Zealand have ruled supreme at the breakdown and when they have gotten their hands on the ball they've looked very menacing. All in all, it's beautifully poised, just as it was last year so it will be intriguing to see if New Zealand take command of this game after the interval.
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| 40 |
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Stephen Jones gets us back underway at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
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| 41 |
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Wales have made a nervy start to the second half, losing a lineout on their own throw after less than a minute of play.
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| 42 |
6 - 9 |
Williams gives away a penalty and Carter just about manages to bend the ball inside the left upright to put New Zealand back into the lead. Wales have been punished for their subdued start to the second half.
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| 44 |
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New Zealand are bossing things at the moment and Wales are finding it difficult to get out of their own half. Wales aren't doing themselves any favours either. Moments ago, Andy Powell pilfered possession back for the Welsh only to throw it straight to Carter.
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| 46 |
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New Zealand work it wide and Guildford streaks away down the left flank. He passes inside to Smith but the centre then throws it straight to Cooper. Wales attempt to counter-attack through Williams but the winger is quickly wrapped up and the move comes to nothing.
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| 48 |
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It's all gone very scrappy in Cardiff. Turnovers, aimless kicks and collapsed scrums are the order of the day at the minute.
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| 51 |
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New Zealand are probing, looking for an opening but none are forthcoming. Carter tries to worm his way through in midfield but the fly-half is swallowed up by a sea of red and is eventually penalised for holding on.
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| 53 |
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Powell attacks the gain-line with real menace but even though Wales manage to quickly recycle the ball after the flanker is eventually grounded, the ball is knocked on once more.
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| 54 |
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Now it's Roberts' turn to go on the offensive but the big Blues centre is taken down by a combination of Nonu and Smith. Roberts is then deemed guilty of not releasing and New Zealand clear.
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| 55 |
6 - 14 |
The All Blacks pile on the pressure until Wales eventually crack. After taking the ball up the middle, the Kiwis eventually work it wide Guildford and he does supremely well in driving himself to within a metre of the line. Hore is in support and he picks up the ball before barging his way over in the left corner.
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| 56 |
6 - 16 |
Carter converts majestically from just inches in from the touchline and suddenly there's ten points between the sides. Wales have it all to do now because New Zealand have moved up at least two gears since the interval.
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| 60 |
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New Zealand are nearly over again but Smith is held up superbly by the covering Shane Williams just as the Kiwi centre looked certain to wriggle his way over the line.
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| 61 |
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It's a scrum for the All Blacks. After putting the Welsh front row under immense pressure, they earn themselves a free-kick and in a hugely unsurprising development they call for another scrum V. The Kiwi pack drives forward and Read makes a dive for the line but he's been held up.
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| 64 |
6 - 19 |
It's incessant All Black pressure at the moment. The Kiwis pound away at the Welsh line but just cannot find a way through and are eventually forced to settle for three more points from the boot of Dan Carter.
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| 66 |
9 - 19 |
Wales finally manage to make it out of their half and New Zealand are guilty of going over the top, thus presenting Jones with a chance to register the hosts first points of the second half. The fly-half obliges and Wales have a glimmer of hope.
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| 69 |
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Normal service has been resumed with New Zealand dominating possession of the ball. They're throwing the ball about with real intent but have yet to pierce the Welsh rearguard. Credit to the Welsh, they are defending extremely well in the face of an almost relentless onslaught.
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| 71 |
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Williams brings the crowd to life with a characteristically incisive dart from deep. The winger cuts inside before off-loading to Martin Roberts, who is flattened by a high tackle from Carter. The referee didn't see it, though, and the Kiwi fly-half's indiscretion has gone unpunished. The crowd have seen it again on the big screen, though, and it's fair to say that they're not best pleased. Carter is currently public enemy number one in Cardiff!
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| 74 |
12 - 19 |
Wales are finishing strongly. Guildford is penalised for stupidly coming in from the side and Jones drills the resulting kick between the sticks to bring the Welsh to within converted try of parity.
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| 75 |
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Carter, to a chorus of boos, gets the game back underway. Powell collects but he is swallowed up by black jerseys and New Zealand reclaim possession.
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| 77 |
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Incredible drama in Cardiff. Alun Wyn Jones intercepts a loose pass from Cowan and streaks away. However, he doesn't have the legs to go all the way and is unable to find a supporting runner. Wales keep the pressure on but then after moving it wide Roberts knocks on close to the right touchline.
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| 78 |
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Wales forced a penalty at the set-piece and then kick to the touch. They are just five metres from the New Zealand line. However, the throw goes astray and Carter clears for the All Blacks. Is that Wales' big chance gone?
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| 79 |
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Wales claim the lineout this time and work the ball infield. However, the ball is knocked on once more and the pressure is now off the All Blacks.
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| 80 |
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Smith embarks on a probing run downfield but Wales regroup, forcing New Zealand sideways. The Kiwis then knock it on, thus bringing an end to a dramatic - if scrappy - encounter. Credit to Wales for a spirited showing but New Zealand showed in the second half that they remain a cut above their hosts, who have now gone 21 games without registering a win over the All Blacks.
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