Welsh hat-trick in vain as All Blacks head home with resounding win

Tom Rogers became the first Wales player to score a hat-trick against New Zealand as the All Blacks maintained their dominance in the fixture with a 52-26 victory in Cardiff.

New Zealand crossed seven times as Caleb Clarke and Sevu Recce bagged braces, with tries for Ruben Love, Tamaiti Williams and Rieko Ioane and the boot of Damian McKenzie adding 17 points.

It extended New Zealand’s winning run against Wales to 34 games – a sequence stretching back to 1953 – but the contest will be remembered as much for Rogers’ historic treble.

Louis Rees-Zammit added a late consolation try and Dan Edwards kicked three conversions for the spirited hosts, who only trailed 24-21 after 50 minutes.

Wales provided a romantic storyline as Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves completed his journey from working as a roofer to the Test arena.

Beaten by England at Twickenham – a third defeat in eight Tests that sparked plenty of soul searching in New Zealand rugby – All Blacks boss Scott Robertson rested star men Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett among a dozen changes.

Robertson’s team selection had led to accusations that New Zealand were taking Wales lightly but they were on the scoreboard within five minutes.

The All Blacks forwards flexed their muscles and Love was allowed space and time to send Clarke over for a converted score.

It was an ominous opening for Wales, but parity was restored within five minutes as Rees-Zammit won an aerial battle.

Wales moved the attack to the left and Rogers picked up an Edwards pass off the deck and race in, with the outside-half adding the extras.

Scotland’s Hollie Davidson, the first woman to referee the All Blacks in a Test match, penalised Taine Plumtree for going off his feet and McKenzie’s penalty gave New Zealand a lead that they were not to relinquish.

The penalty count began to rack up against Wales and New Zealand took advantage as Love’s dazzling feet rewarded play of the match Wallace Sititi’s big carry.

Wales fought back with Tomos Williams, using a penalty advantage to his benefit, caught the visitors napping with a clever chip.

Blair Murray collected the loose ball and Edwards and Max Llewellyn moved it left for Rogers to dot down again.

New Zealand had the final word in a competitive first half as prop Williams spun out of a tackle to score and McKenzie slotted again for a 24-14 interval lead.

Wales refused to lie down and within two minutes of the restart Rogers had secured his place in the record books.

Dafydd Jenkins charged down a kick and super work from Joe Hawkins and Llewellyn sent Rogers over for Wales’ first hat-trick since Rees-Zammit’s against Georgia at the 2023 World Cup.

The Principality Stadium went into a frenzy as tries for Clarke and Will Jordan were disallowed after video review.

But New Zealand were not to be denied when Ioane squeezed over in the corner from a McKenzie kick.

The All Blacks punished yellow cards for Gareth Thomas and Plumtree as Wales were twice reduced to 14 men, replacement Recce claiming a quickfire double and Clarke adding the final gloss after Rees-Zammit had produced a trademark finish at the corner.