All Blacks thrash Wales: Rogers scores historic hat-trick, but falls 52-26

Tom Rogers made history by becoming the first Welsh player to score a hat-trick against New Zealand, although the All Blacks maintained their dominance with a 52-26 victory in Cardiff. New Zealand scored seven tries, with Caleb Clarke and Sevu Recce scoring two each. Ruben Love, Tamaiti Williams, and Rieko Ioane also contributed tries, and Damian McKenzie added 17 points with his accuracy in goal kicks. This victory extended New Zealand’s winning streak against Wales to 34 matches, a sequence that dates back to 1953. However, the match will be remembered for Rogers’ historic performance. Louis Rees-Zammit added a consolation try at the end of the match, and Dan Edwards converted three goals for the Welsh, who stayed in the fight and were only losing by 24-21 after 50 minutes. The encounter also had a romantic touch for Wales, as Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves completed his journey from his job as a roofer to reaching the test match arena. After being defeated by England at Twickenham, which meant the third defeat in eight test matches and generated reflection in New Zealand rugby, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson decided to rest key players like Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett, among a dozen changes in the team. The selection of Robertson generated accusations that New Zealand underestimated Wales, but they quickly demonstrated their power on the scoreboard, scoring in the first five minutes.

The All Blacks forwards showed their strength and Love found the space to enable Clarke to score the first converted try. Wales responded immediately, tying the score in the following five minutes thanks to a great play by Rees-Zammit. The Welsh attack moved to the left side, where Rogers received a pass from Edwards and ran to score, with Edwards adding the extra points. Hollie Davidson, from Scotland, the first woman to referee the All Blacks in a test match, penalized Taine Plumtree for an infringement, and a penalty by McKenzie gave New Zealand the lead they would not relinquish. The number of penalties against Wales began to increase, and New Zealand took advantage of the situation. Love, with his great footwork, rewarded Wallace Sititi’s effort. Wales reacted, with Tomos Williams using a penalty advantage to surprise the visitors with a clever chip.

Blair Murray recovered the loose ball, and Edwards and Max Llewellyn moved the ball to the left, allowing Rogers to score again. New Zealand had the last word in a competitive first half, with Williams scoring and McKenzie converting, for a score of 24-14 at halftime. Wales didn’t give up, and two minutes into the restart, Rogers secured his place in the record books. Dafydd Jenkins blocked a kick, and the work of Joe Hawkins and Llewellyn sent Rogers to score his third try, Wales’ first hat-trick since Rees-Zammit’s against Georgia in the 2023 World Cup. The Principality Stadium lit up, but tries from Clarke and Will Jordan were disallowed after video review. New Zealand did not stop, and Ioane managed to score from a kick by McKenzie. The All Blacks punished yellow cards for Gareth Thomas and Plumtree, leaving Wales with 14 players on two occasions. Recce scored two tries, and Clarke added the final touch after Rees-Zammit managed a characteristic score.