Wales beat New Zealand for first time in 73 years

Summarised from 2 outlets · 12 reports · Updated 15 Nov, 07:31 · Archive

Wales defeated New Zealand 35-28 at the Principality Stadium, ending a 34-match losing streak stretching back to 1953.

Wales defeated New Zealand 35-28 on Saturday at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, ending 73 years without a win against the All Blacks. The victory broke a 34-match losing streak that dated back to 1953. Wales never trailed during the match and scored five tries against New Zealand for the first time in history. The result was described as a monumental upset, with New Zealand ranked second in the world before the game and having made eight changes from their previous Nations Championship victory against Scotland.

Captain Dewi Lake said the group always believed they could defeat New Zealand, describing how the players and coaching staff had worked hard on tough conversations to grow and succeed. Head coach Steve Tandy said the emotion of the result reflected what it meant for the players, nation and supporters. Former Wales wing Sam Warburton told TNT Sports he felt prouder watching Wales since retiring, praising the team's defiance, resilience and work ethic. He highlighted their defensive work at the breakdown and their tactical approach as crucial to the victory.

The win sparked extraordinary celebrations across Wales and among Welsh fans abroad. In Wellington, New Zealand, patrons at the Welsh Dragon Bar woke at 3am to watch the match, with videos showing fans unable to fully process the victory. The bar is owned by Hannah Williams from Wrexham and Andrew Jones from Tonyrefail and declares itself the only Welsh bar in the southern hemisphere. Some New Zealand supporters responded positively on social media, with one writing that they understood what the moment meant to Welsh supporters after generations of defeat.

How it is being reported

• Wales fans ascend to the spiritual as waves of emotion grip a tearful nationWales managed to beat the All Blacks in Cardiff on a day which will be etched into historyWalesOnline · 15 Nov, 07:21
• Proud Sam Warburton stunned by Wales as 'violent' All Blacks' backlash incomingYour rugby headlines from Wales and around the worldWalesOnline · 15 Nov, 06:55
• Wales fans in New Zealand bar cant believe what’s happening as locals stunnedWales fans in New Zealand couldn't quite believe what was happeningWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 22:04
• Wales international overwhelmed in BBC commentary box as wild scenes unfoldAs the final whistle blew on Wales' first win over New Zealand for 73 years, there were incredible scenes in the Principality Stadium commentary boxWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 19:32
• Stunned All Blacks show true colours after Wales defeat as fatal error identifiedWales were winners on a historic day in Cardiff, as New Zealand were shockedWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 18:53
• Wales players share emotional moments with family as fans celebrate historic All Blacks winIncredible scenes they (and we) will remember for the rest of our livesWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 18:45
• Wales believed they could create history - LakeCaptain Dewi Lake says he always believed Wales could defeat New Zealand and end the 73-year hoodoo against the All Blacks.BBC Wales · 14 Nov, 18:30
• Tearful Dewi Lake couldn't watch as Steve Tandy blown away by Wales playersThe Wales captain summed up a historic day for Welsh rugby, having led his side to a first victory over New Zealand in 73 yearsWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 18:24
• 'We've waited 73 years to be here' - Wales fans ecstatic after win over New ZealandSteve Tandy's side break a 34-match losing streak against the All Blacks that dates back to 1953.BBC Wales · 14 Nov, 18:21
• Wales v All Blacks player ratings as two perfect stars help create historyThere were a number of unbelievable individual performances, including two perfect 10/10 performancesWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 17:09
• The Wales rugby team lives and it just pulled off the greatest win of them allWales stunned the All Blacks to record one of their greatest ever victoryWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 16:29
• Wales' epic response to All Blacks haka leaves rugby world in aweThe staging of the haka ahead of Wales v New Zealand was the best there has ever beenWalesOnline · 14 Nov, 14:45

In this story: Wales · New Zealand · Dewi Lake · Steve Tandy · Sam Warburton · Principality Stadium · Cardiff · Wellington

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