Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 New Zealand's Scott Barrett wins a line-out Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
CARDIFF (Reuters) - New Zealand survived ferocious Wales pressure to see off Warren Gatland's battling side 33-18 and complete a northern hemisphere whitewash at Cardiff's Principality Stadium with a fifth tour victory on Saturday.
The match was closer than the scoreline suggested with the All Blacks powered to a 30th successive victory over their opponents by their juggernaut wings Waisake Naholo and man of the match Rieko Ioane, who each scored two tries.
Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 New Zealand’s Anton Lienert-Brown scores their third try REUTERS/Rebecca Naden
"We would have had a good chance of winning if we had contained the pace and power of their wingers," said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
The All Blacks were given a mighty scare by the home side, who hinted at an upset just before the interval with a well-worked move that let in Scott Williams for a try in his 50th international.
A raucous home crowd sensed a possible first victory in 64 years over their illustrious opponents. There could and should have been more points as Wales, who enjoyed 63 percent of territory and possession, camped out on the All Black line for long periods, only to lack the killer punch.
Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 New Zealand's Aaron Smith in action Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Just as against Scotland the previous week, New Zealand struggled to get hold of the ball although they were typically clinical when it eventually fell into their hands and Anton Lienert-Brown also crossed after the interval.
Even then, Wales refused to buckle and Gareth Davies, who had come on as an early replacement for the concussed Rhys Webb, sniped off the back of the scrum to cut the lead once more.
Home hopes proved short-lived however, with Ioane restoring the advantage to allow the All Blacks to end their rugby year on a tour high.
Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 Wales' Josh Navidi in action Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Ioane's second try came after New Zealand had been reduced to 14 men following the sin binning of Sam Whitelock. Ioane struck after a sharp backs move saw the ball shifted across the pitch.
Beauden Barrett kicked four conversions, with Leigh Halfpenny replying with two penalties and one conversion for Wales.
The win meant All Black coach Steve Hansen edged his Wales and British and Irish Lions counterpart Gatland 2-1 in a series of titanic clashes between their teams in 2017. The All Blacks and the Lions drew their three match series 1-1 in June and July.
Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 New Zealand's Scott Barrett in action Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
(Reporting by Neil Robinson; Editing by Alison Williams and Toby Davis)
Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 Wales' Hallam Amos in action with New Zealand's TJ Perenara Action Images via Reuters/Peter CziborraRugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 Wales' Hallam Amos in action with New Zealand's TJ Perenara and Nathan Harris Action Images via Reuters/Peter CziborraRugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 New Zealand’s Rieko Ioane celebrates scoring their fifth try REUTERS/Rebecca NadenRugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 Wales' Gareth Davies scores their second try Action Images via Reuters/Peter CziborraRugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 Wales’ Gareth Davies REUTERS/Rebecca NadenRugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 New Zealand’s Rieko Ioane scores their fifth try REUTERS/Rebecca NadenRugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Wales vs New Zealand - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - November 25, 2017 New Zealand’s Rieko Ioane celebrates scoring their fifth try REUTERS/Rebecca Naden
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