Wales defeat New Zealand at Principality to record first victory over All Blacks since 1953
Wales beat New Zealand at the Principality Stadium in a Nations Championship match on 14 November 2026, registering their first win over the All Blacks since 1953 and ending a 34-match losing run in the fixture. The hosts produced a nine-try spectacle and led 14-0, 21-7 and 35-21 during a match that ignited scenes in Cardiff.
The victory was Wales' first in 73 years against New Zealand and came in their 35th attempt in the fixture, following previous Welsh wins in 1905, 1935 and 1953. A crowd of 55,152 — the lowest attendance in 14 Wales v New Zealand matches at the Principality Stadium — witnessed the result, amid pre-match scepticism from sections of the New Zealand media and odds of 20-1 being offered by some bookmakers. Several Welsh greats, including Sir Gareth Edwards, Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, JPR Williams, Barry John and Phil Bennett, had never beaten New Zealand in a Welsh jersey before this day.
Wales began explosively as Tomos Williams and captain Dewi Lake scored inside the first six minutes after Nicky Smith won a turnover and Williams released Louis Rees-Zammit with a long pass for the opening score. A well-worked forward move then produced a try for prop Archie Griffin, with the home side leading 14-0 and the improved line-out providing a platform after errors in the previous match against Japan. New Zealand coach Dave Rennie had pointed to Tomos Williams as a danger pre-match; Williams' passing repeatedly created Wales' attacking opportunities.
New Zealand hit back before half-time through Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi and Fehi Fineanganofo to level the score at 21-21, Mo'unga converting to bring the sides level at the interval. Sititi, who had been player of the match in this fixture 12 months earlier, finished an attacking line-out, and the All Blacks forced penalties at the breakdown while Wales' line-out showed signs of strain. The first half closed with both teams exchanging frantic phases and momentum shifting between strong defensive stands and attacking line-outs.
The second half opened in the manner of the first as Tomos Williams' long pass sent Eddie James over and then released Rees-Zammit for a further try, Wales' fifth of the game. New Zealand responded when Peter Lakai went over to reduce the deficit, but Wales maintained their advantage as Jac Morgan forced turnovers at the breakdown to disrupt the visitors' possession. Rees-Zammit's score was the most tries Wales have registered against New Zealand in a single match.
Wales' defence proved decisive in the closing stages, holding up New Zealand on three occasions over the line, including expertly by replacement prop Gareth Thomas and then James Botham on Asafo Aumua. Replacement number eight Taine Plumtree secured two important turnovers before coach Steve Tandy replaced half-backs Tomos Williams and Dan Costelow with Dan Edwards and Reuben Morgan-Williams for the final 16 minutes. Morgan-Williams and Jac Morgan combined to hold up New Zealand a third time as the visitors pressed for a late score, and the final whistle confirmed a win that reduced players and fans to tears.
Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, E James, Llewellyn, Hamer-Webb; Costelow, Tomos Williams; N Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D Jenkins, Beard, Botham, Morgan Basham. Replacements: Elias, G Thomas, D Lewis, Carter, Plumtree, Morgan-Williams, Edwards, Hennessey.
New Zealand: B Barrett (capt); Fineanganofo, Tupaea, Lienert-Brown, Moorby; Mo'unga, Ratima; Bower, Aumua, Newell, S Barrett, Lord, Segner, Lakai, Sititi. Replacements: Bell, Numia, Tosi, Hannah, E Blackadder, Fainga'anuku, Preston, R Ioane. Assistants referees: Nic Berry (Australia) & Luc Ramos (France). Television match official: Tual Trainini (France). Foul Play Review Officer: Leo Colgan (IRFU).
Despite the defeat, New Zealand leapfrogged South Africa to top the southern section of the Nations Championship with one weekend of regular matches remaining in the competition.
