Wales defeat New Zealand 35-28 in Cardiff for first win over All Blacks since 1953

Wales defeated New Zealand 35-28 in Cardiff in the Nations Championship on Saturday, November 14, 2026, recording their first victory over the All Blacks since 1953. The result ended a 34-match losing run against New Zealand.

Tomos Williams scored one of Wales's five tries in what the report described as a superb individual performance, and Welsh defence held out for the final 25 minutes after Peter Lakai's try closed the gap to seven points. The victory arrived amid a period described as dire for Welsh rugby following a poor run of results since the 2023 World Cup and a series of off-field issues. Coach Steve Tandy made five changes from last weekend's tight win over Japan, including starting Adam Beard at lock alongside Dafydd Jenkins to improve lineout success. New Zealand coach Davie Rennie made eight alterations from last Saturday's win over Scotland and handed full-back Beauden Barrett the captaincy for the first time on his 149th Test appearance.

The hosts raced into an early 14-0 lead after just seven minutes as Williams and hooker Dewi Lake crossed, with the scrum-half providing the assist for the front-rower. By the half-hour mark Wales led 21-7 after prop Archie Griffin dove over, while New Zealand scrum-half Cortez Ratima helped keep the visitors in contention.

The All Blacks reduced the deficit before halftime as No 8 Wallace Sititi and winger Fehi Fineanganofo both scored, bringing the sides level at 21 points apiece at the interval.

Wales started the second half in similar fashion to the first, with Williams setting up another try via a miss-three pass to find Eddie James in the corner. Winger Louis Rees-Zammitt then dotted down with half an hour remaining to extend Wales's advantage.

Peter Lakai's try and Richie Mo'unga's conversion narrowed the margin and set up a tense closing period. New Zealand pressed on the Wales line and had a couple of tries denied by being held up before the hosts managed to grind out the win in front of a joy-filled home crowd.

The 35-28 victory secured Wales's first win over New Zealand since 1953 and ended a 34-match sequence without a win against the All Blacks in the Nations Championship.