Wales 23-55 New Zealand rugby LIVE REACTION: Aaron Smith stars with two epic tries as Kiwis win Cardiff clash in style
WALES lost their Autumn Internationals clash with New Zealand 48-53.
Codie Taylor and Aaron Smith scored a couple of tries each as the Kiwis put on a fine display at the Principality Stadium.
The Dragons constantly fought their way back into the game on numerous occasions, but the visitors were just too strong on the day.
- RESULT: Wales 23-55 New Zealand
- Wales team: 15 Anscombe, 14 Rees-Zammit, 13 North, 12 Tompkins, 11 Dyer, 10 Priestland, 9 T Williams; 1 G Thomas, 2 Owens, 3 Francis, 4 Rowlands, 5 Beard, 6 Tipuric, 7 Reffell, 8 Faletau.
- New Zealand team: 15 B Barrett, 14 Reece, 13 R Ioane, 12 J Barrett, 11 Clarke, 10 Mo'unga, 9 Smith; 1 De Groot, 2 Taylor, 3 Lomax, 4 Whitelock, 5 B Barrett, 6 Frizell, 7 Papalii, 8 Savea.
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Out into the wet Cardiff night it is.
There are likely to be reduced trains because of the strikes... that never went ahead.
Unlike Wales' effort today, let's hope the train does leave the station.
Diolch!
Ireland vs South Africa live
We have live coverage of the game between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium.
Kieran Davies is underway with our live blog and this match is nearly a quarter old.
Tipuric: We weren't at the races
Try scorer Justin Tipuric gave New Zealand all the credit for a top performance in their Welsh rumbling.
The Welsh No6 said: "We knew coming into the game that they finish their games strong, so it's nothing we didn't expect.
"All credit goes to New Zealand. You give them a sniff and they take all the points."
Ardie Savea: We were disappointed to concede
The All Blacks have high standards, everybody knows that.
Man of the match Savea said: "We wanted to put on a performance here to be proud of.
"We still leaked a few points but we'll take that and enjoy the night."
New Zealand's Save-iour?
Ardie Savea was just on another level today.
He could well be named world player of the year in 2022 - but we will see how the next few weeks go during these autumn internationals.
Where can Wales go from here?
There is no doubt, if Wales were looking to put down a marker for the 2023 World Cup, this was a huge missed opportunity.
Wales were simply not at the races, which is an accusation you can level at the men in red almost every time they play New Zealand.
But there appears to be a lack of initiative from Wayne Pivac's men, a lack of kicking and a lack of belief.
There is no doubt the next few tests and the following Six Nations could be very difficult for the Welsh unless they step up a gear.
Not to mention the World Cup in a year's time.
Storm clouds on the horizon
When the All Blacks come to town, it tends not to make for pretty viewing for Welsh rugby fans.
Wales gave New Zealand a good game in lots of areas but struggled with their discipline and gave away too many penalties.
The biggest problem for Wayne Pivac's team was the amount they visited their opponents twenty-two without coming away with any points at all.
The All Blacks were just too good going forward and the Welsh struggled to keep them at bay, all too often.
FT: Wales 23-55 New Zealand
Beauden Barrett strikes a beautiful conversion from the touchline.
After utilising their penalty, kicking for touch, they were able to score a try from the resulting lineout.
Strong performance from the All Blacks today.
Try - Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand)
Wales 23-48 New Zealand
80. Ardie Savea is awarded the man of the match award.
Deserved to say the least.
Aaron Smith and Jordie Barrett were both in the mix for the award too.
Wales 23-48 New Zealand
78. A real family connection as Beauden Barrett converts the try.
The All Blacks really turn the screw in the final stages of the game.
Wales are struggling to contain them now.
Try - Jordie Barrett (New Zealand)
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
74. New Zealand come forward.
Utilising the penalty to kick for touch into the corner.
All Blacks hungry for more points.
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
72. Wales are still probing in the All Blacks twenty-two.
This is the difference between these two sides.
New Zealand claim a lot more points from territory in their opponent's twenty-two.
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
70. Wales are looking to drive from halfway.
Penalty-advantage is awarded to the Welsh.
Opting to kick from touch from the penalty.
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
68. New Zealand have a lineout on their own tryline.
Clean win by the All Blacks and then clearing the ball.
Game management now for New Zealand.
Wales 23-41 New Zealand
66. Rare moment where Richie Mo’unga doesn't convert the try.
Wales have struggled to contain the All Blacks.
They need to try and find a way back into this game.
Try - Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
64. Penalty advantage to the All Blacks as they attack.
They are literally a yard from the Welsh try-line.
Kiwis are knocking on the door again.
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
62. The All Blacks come forward again.
They just seem able to go through Wales like a hot knife through butter.
Pivac's team are struggling to keep the Kiwis out here.
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
60. There is still plenty of this game left for Wales to change things.
It seems for all their good work going forward, they are too prone to the odd error in defence which is harshly punished by their opponents.
Scrum to the All Blacks for a knock-on from Wales.
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
58. Wales are unlucky there.
Tomos Williams breaks down the left, as he draws in the tackles from the All Blacks, he releases to Justin Tipuric.
As he takes it in and is heading towards the line, the referee brings it back for an infringement.
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
56. Wales have a lineout but it isn't clean.
The ball is taken backwards as they look to regain possession.
Pivac's team are trying their best to get back into this game.
Wales 23-36 New Zealand
54. The All Blacks just seem to be able to score at will.
Richie Mo’unga sends the conversion through the posts.
Whenever Wales get close to their opponents they seem to just open up more of a lead to stay out of touch.
Try - Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
