Wales v New Zealand, Millennium Stadium, November 24
All Blacks eye another clean sweep
ESPNscrum Staff
November 20, 2012
New Zealand celebrate clinching the Grand Slam, Wales v New Zealand, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, November 27, 2010
The All Blacks clinched a northern hemisphere Grand Slam following their win over Wales in 2010 © Getty Images
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Wales take on New Zealand in Cardiff this weekend with the weight of history still hanging heavy over the fixture.

The hosts have not beaten the All Blacks since Ken Jones and Sid Judd's 1953 heroics and the vintage of 2012 appear to have little chance of replicating those feats after a difficult couple of games. Wales are going into the match with the All Blacks off the back of two defeats at the Millennium Stadium - first to Argentina and then to Samoa. And they will come up against the World Cup holders who last lost back in August 2011.

But while they have failed to defeat the All Blacks for nearly half a century, there have been several close calls for Wales to take heart from along the way, most notably a classic at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, a 26-25 loss back in 2004 and Andy Haden's fabled dive in 1978.

But the fact remains that the All Blacks have also frequently enjoyed themselves, including two wins on their way to Grand Slam tours in the last five years. In 2005 they routed a weakened side 41-3 before Wales' infamous Haka showdown was quelled with a 29-9 victory. And the last meeting between the two sides came back in 2010 where the All Blacks prevailed 37-25.

They're in search of another clean sweep this weekend - with a result either way set to go down in the annals of the game.

Wales v New Zealand all-time record: Played 28, Wales won three, New Zealand won 25

Biggest winning margin: Wal: Five points, 13-8 at National Stadium; NZ: 52 points, 55-3 at Waikato Stadium, 2003

Highest score: Wal: 37 points, 37-53 at Stadium Australia, 2003; NZ: 55 points, 55-3 at Waikato Stadium, 2003

Most tries: Wal: Four, 37-53 at Stadium Australia, 2003; NZ: 10, 52-3 at Lancaster Park, 1988

Longest winning sequence: Wal: Two (1935-1953); NZ: 24 (1963-present)

Most points (individual): Wal: Stephen Jones 89; NZ: Dan Carter 162

Most tries (individual): Wal: Two, Geoffrey Jones; NZ: Eight, John Kirwan

Most points in a Test: Wal: 17, Stephen Jones at Stadium Australia, 2003; NZ: 27, Dan Carter at Carisbrook, 2010

  • Click here for Wales' full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

  • Click here for New Zealand's full Test record courtesy of Statsguru

  • Click here for a record of all Wales v New Zealand matches courtesy of Statsguru

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