Wales 35–28 New Zealand: first win over the All Blacks in 73 years ends a 34-match losing run
Wales beat New Zealand 35–28 in a nine-try Nations Championship thriller at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday — their first victory over the All Blacks since 1953, ending a run of 34 successive defeats in the fixture. Wales scored five tries, the most they have ever scored against New Zealand, led 14–0 inside seven minutes, were pulled back to 21–21 by half-time, struck twice more early in the second half, and then held out through a desperate late siege in front of 55,152 people.
Key points
- Wales 35–28 New Zealand in Cardiff — a first win over the All Blacks since 1953, after 34 straight defeats.
- Five Welsh tries — Williams, Lake, Griffin, James and Rees-Zammit — the most Wales have ever scored against New Zealand.
- Level at 21–21 at half-time, Wales struck twice early in the second half and held out through a late siege.
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- Crowd of 55,152 at the Principality Stadium; James Botham was named man of the match.
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What happened
Steve Tandy's unfancied Wales raced into a 14–0 lead inside seven minutes and led by 14 points three times, but Dave Rennie's New Zealand — who had made eight changes from the side that beat Scotland — kept coming back, levelling by half-time and closing to seven points with more than 25 minutes still to play.
The finish was all defence: New Zealand were held up over the Welsh line more than once in the closing stages, and Wales' tackle count and desperation held the seven-point lead to the final whistle, sparking wild celebrations in Cardiff.
Match facts — all verified
- ✓ VerifiedWales beat New Zealand 35–28 in the Nations Championship at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday 14 November, in front of a crowd of 55,152.BBC Sport — Magnificent Wales end 73-year New Zealand hoodoo (14 Nov 2026) · Associated Press — Wales stuns All Blacks 35-28 for the first time in 73 years (14 Nov 2026) · Sky Sports — Wales 35-28 New Zealand, Nations Championship (14 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedWales' tries were scored by Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake and Archie Griffin in the first half and by Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit in the second, with Sam Costelow converting all five. New Zealand's tries came from Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Fehi Fineanganofo and Peter Lakai, with Richie Mo'unga converting all four. The scores were level at 21–21 at half-time.BBC Sport — Magnificent Wales end 73-year New Zealand hoodoo (14 Nov 2026) · Sky Sports — Wales 35-28 New Zealand, Nations Championship (14 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedThe win is Wales' first over New Zealand since 1953 — when they won 13–8 in Cardiff — and ends a run of 34 successive defeats in the fixture. Wales' five tries are the most they have ever scored in a match against New Zealand.BBC Sport — Magnificent Wales end 73-year New Zealand hoodoo (14 Nov 2026) · Associated Press — Wales stuns All Blacks 35-28 for the first time in 73 years (14 Nov 2026)
- ✓ VerifiedWales flanker James Botham was named man of the match. Wales next host Australia at the Principality Stadium on Saturday 21 November, and New Zealand next face England at Twickenham the same day.Sky Sports — Wales 35-28 New Zealand, Nations Championship (14 Nov 2026) · BBC Sport — Magnificent Wales end 73-year New Zealand hoodoo (14 Nov 2026)
What we know / what we don't know yet
What we know
- The result, the scorers, the half-time score and the crowd are settled across the match reports.
What we don't know yet
- What the result does to the world rankings — the updated rankings had not been published by World Rugby in the reporting read.