Wales recorded a historic 35-28 victory over New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, their first win against the All Blacks in 73 years. The result has drawn a fierce reaction from the New Zealand press, with one columnist describing the loss as "shameful."
After racing to a two-try lead twice in the first half, Wales were pegged back to 21-21 at half-time. However, another fast start after the break helped them hold on for a famous win.
The defeat means this All Blacks side is the first to lose in Cardiff — or anywhere in the world against Wales — in 73 years.
Press reaction to the shock defeat
Richard Knowler, writing on New Zealand news website Stuff, praised the Welsh defence. "To say the Welsh defence was excellent is to understate their effort and accuracy. It was, quite simply, off the charts," he wrote.
Knowler noted: "Wales were phenomenal. They made 346 tackles and missed 36. The All Blacks, meanwhile, executed 134 tackles and missed 20." He added that the All Blacks made 260 ball carries and were rewarded with 224 post-contact metres, while Wales carried the ball 119 times for a post-contact gain of just 88m. The All Blacks also made nine line breaks to Wales' four.
"For Wales to defend as well as they did, and without getting penalised off the park or having a player yellow carded, speaks volumes about their tenacity and willingness to suffer for the cause," Knowler continued. "No-one could accuse the All Blacks of surrendering. They simply had no answer and paid a heavy price for naive tactics in the red zone."
Emotional scenes in Cardiff
In the New Zealand Herald, Liam Napier described the match as "an upset of a generation." He wrote: "In an inspired, scarcely believable, courageous performance that defied all odds, Wales summoned an upset of a generation to stun the All Blacks in Cardiff."
Napier noted that 55,142 emotional fans — many in tears at the finish — witnessed the first Welsh win against the All Blacks for 73 years. "The streets of Cardiff will celebrate long through the night to toast a result no one predicted," he added.
Patrick McKendry, in RNZ News, pointed to the All Blacks' slow starts. "The All Blacks, who conceded two converted tries within 10 minutes of the start of both halves, were wasteful and far too loose at times," he wrote. He also questioned the decision to make eight changes to the starting line-up, and 10 in total, after a win over Scotland.
Scathing criticism from columnist
NZ rugby writer Hamish Bidwell, on Planet Rugby, was particularly harsh, describing Saturday's loss as "shameful." He wrote: "Fair play to Wales, who were deserved 35-28 winners over New Zealand, but this has to be a wake-up call for everyone involved with our national side."
Bidwell added: "Their rugby and their thinking are rubbish and yet they're continually excused for it. Worse, they're routinely praised for delivering ever-diminishing results." He asked: "Will Fiji beat the All Blacks next? How about Italy or Japan?"
Wales hadn't beaten the All Blacks since 1953, but Bidwell noted that every team that plays them should rate themselves a chance these days. He concluded: "I'm glad New Zealand lost. I'm delighted that the team's army of cheerleaders are going to have to be honest for a change. I'm hopeful someone in the All Blacks' brain trust is going to admit that what they're doing doesn't work."
