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All Black finish season on a high

Rieko Ioane of New Zealand breaks through to score his sides fifth try

The All Blacks ended their long season with a 33-18 victory in Cardiff over Wales, sealed by three tries in the second half.

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However, they only had a 12-11 lead at halftime after the Welsh enjoyed an 80 per cent possession advantage in the first 40 minutes.

Wales opened the scoring with a Leigh Halfpenny penalty, and successfully managed to deny the All Blacks any ball till the 15 minute mark. The first break by Aaron Smith was telling though, as he ran 30 metres upfield to link with Waisake Naholo for the opening try.

Naholo dotted down again in the 38th minute, but Wales hit back with a lovely try to Scott Williams just on the stroke of halftime.

Halfpenny couldn’t convert but Wales would’ve headed to the sheds full of confidence. That was dashed by Anton Lienart-Brown in the 57th minute, who latched on to a Rieko Ioane break. Ioane then picked off Dan Biggar to make the score comfortable.

Replacement halfback Gareth Davies gave the Welsh some hope with a try soon after, but Ioane then burst through the defensive line off a scrum to seal victory for the All Blacks.

The All Blacks now head home for the summer, with a record of 13 wins, two losses and a draw for the year.

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Meanwhile Wales should be buoyed by their showing in the first half going into the 6 Nations.

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Another 8 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

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