The All Blacks got their tour of the UK & Europe under way on a positive note after they beat Wales 19-12 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
They now hold a 21 match unbeaten streak over the Welsh, who at times came close, but couldnt quite break the hoodoo that the New Zealand side has over them.
On a sour note, Dan Carter, who put in one of his better performances of the season, has been cited following a tackle he made in the final ten minutes of the match.
He kicked four penalties and converted the lone try by Andrew Hore, but felled Martin Roberts with a head-high tackle that went unpunished on the field.
The home crowd booed Carter whenever he got the ball after that.
“Carter played sublimely, but it was perhaps a new experience for him to be jeered,” said former Welsh captain Eddie Butler.
Roberts, who had come on as a replacement, said that Carter apologised to him afterwards.
“Looking at the replay it did look quite high. He did apologise to me. He said ‘sorry for the tackle’ after the game,” Roberts said.
“Things like that happen in games, and you just have to take it on the chin. It looked bad, but I was fine.”
Captain Ryan Jones admitted that their errors had given the All Blacks chances to score.
“The All Blacks capitalised on our mistakes and you can’t afford to give the All Blacks and Dan Carter an easy ride,” he said.
Stephen Jones kicked four penalties for Wales in what was a fairly dull encounter, in contrast with all the excitement and intensity surrounding last years fixture.
New Zealand have since moved on to Milan, where they will face Italy next weekend.
Time:
05:29
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