New Zealand repel valiant Wales with second-half blitz
By Mike Patterson
Last Updated: 18/06/16 1:35pm
New Zealand produced a dominant second-half performance to defeat Wales 36-22 in the second Test in Wellington and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The All Blacks scored four tries in a 15-minute spell after the interval at the Westpac Stadium on Saturday to secure the victory, although Wales, who had gone into half-time level at 10-10, fought back valiantly in the closing stages with two tries to keep the final scoreline respectable.
Wales, who led 21-18 with 20 minutes remaining in the first Test at Eden Park last week before going down 39-21, once again made a high-tempo start to the game.
And they nosed ahead in the 16th minute courtesy of Dan Biggar's long-range penalty, the fly-half landing a difficult kick in the swirling wind.
However, the tourists' lead lasted only four minutes as the All Blacks hit back through Israel Dagg's try, the full-back - making his 50th Test appearance - powering past Hallam Amos after Jonathan Davies had rushed out of defence to create an overlap out wide on the right.
Aaron Cruden added the conversion and followed it up with a penalty on the half-hour mark to stretch the hosts' advantage to 10-3.
That was fly-half Cruden's last contribution to the game, though, as he was injured in a ruck shortly afterwards before being stretchered from the field with his neck in a brace after a lengthy delay, with Beauden Barrett replacing him.
Cruden's injury - he was taken to hospital for precautionary tests - may have rattled New Zealand as Wales then took command and a period of pressure before the break was rewarded with a try from Alun Wyn Jones.
Davies made an initial burst down the middle before Liam Williams came up just short on the right, but the ball was thrown across the field with Davies' fine pass setting up second-row Jones to touch down in the left-hand corner.
Biggar slotted over an excellent conversion from the touchline and it was all square at 10-10 at half-time.
Wales remained in the ascendancy at the start of the second half and created another decent opportunity down the right, with Barrett needing to be alert to gather Williams' chip ahead near the try-line.
Barrett's impact on the game continued as he played a key role in the All Blacks retaking the lead in the 52nd minute, ghosting through the Wales defence down the right before passing to Ben Smith - also making his 50th appearance - who outpaced Williams to notch the home side's second try, which Barrett converted.
Barrett then scored a try of his own three minutes later, wriggling past three defenders after being teed up by an Aaron Smith pass to touch down under the posts before adding the conversion to make it 24-10.
Any hopes of a Wales comeback were extinguished on the hour-mark as New Zealand added another try, Waisake Naholo going over down the left with Aaron Smith once again the provider, although Barrett was off-target with his conversion attempt this time.
It was all one-way traffic now and New Zealand's fifth try arrived in style in the 66th minute after a brilliant counter-attack which was excellently finished off by Ardie Savea, playing on his home ground, for his first try for his country.
Wales refused to throw in the towel, though, and they struck back in the 74th minute when Williams raced clear from the half-way line for a try following some good footwork by Biggar, who added the conversion.
And the tourists were celebrating again three minutes later after Davies forced his way over to score an unconverted try after a superb break by Jamie Roberts who intercepted a New Zealand pass.
