RICHARD KNOWLER AT MILLENNIUM STADIUM - Stuff
Last updated 08:21 28/11/2010
Action from the test at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
All Blacks v Wales
1 of 11 All Blacks v Wales
There were no fist-pumps, high fives or backslaps for Dan Carter as he marked his world record in a typically understated manner when the All Blacks beat Wales 37-25 to claim the grand slam in Cardiff this morning.
After kicking the ninth minute penalty that pushed past Jonny Wilkinson's mark of 1178, first five-eighth Carter simply turned his back and, in that inimitable gait of his, jogged back to prepare for the restart.
It was far from his most memorable match but when he looks back in retirement, Carter will fondly recall the day he entrenched himself into the annals of history in front of a 73,000-strong crowd that recognises a champion when they seen one.
While the player himself and his team-mates refused to display any emotion, the ground announcer paid tribute to the great No 10, the crowd broke into applause and then it was back to business.
Ironically, for a bloke who would usually blow over kicks blindfolded, Carter had a far from memorable night with the boot and missed four of his first five shots at goal before converting five from nine.
The match started on a sombre note as a minute's silence was observed in memory of the 29 miners who lost their lives in the Pike River tragedy on the West Coast and the All Blacks also wore white armbands to pay their respects.
Prior to kick-off they stated they wanted to provide their fellow New Zealanders with a glimmer of sunshine in what had been a gloomy week and raced in a try to left wing Hosea Gear in the fifth minute; it followed after right wing Isaia Toeava dashed from the other side of the park to wrap around Sonny Bill Williams and shred four weak tackles.
Hopes Carter would equal Wilkinson's record with the conversion did not eventuate but minutes later he brought up the magical milestone and on the 22nd minute mark, fullback Mils Muliaina ripped through several weak tackles to nudge his side ahead 13-3.
Predictions the All Blacks' attack would incinerate Wales' defence appeared set to come to fruition and coach Warren Gatland must have been shifting uncomfortably in his seat as he contemplated another difficult week following the previous weekend's 16-all draw against Fiji.
Instead Wales roared back with first-five Stephen Jones' boot keeping them in touch.
Jones nailed three penalties in the first half and added three more in the second as the penalty count piled-up against the All Blacks with referee Alan Lewis caning them in the breakdown and the scrums.
Bouyed by their parochial crowd in full voice, Wales trailed 23-18 with 12 minutes remaining but their hearts were broken by late tries to Toeava and replacement tighthead prop John Afoa.
Toeava's effort started from a dreadful error by Wales second-five James Hook who was ankle tapped by Mils Muliaina as he tried to clear for touch inside his 22m zone; from the resulting counter-attack the All Blacks rammed home the advantage and replacement lock Anthony Boric sailed through a gap before feeding Toeava.
There was to be more pain for the Welsh to endure when a long-range movement that involved a sweet back-pass by Jimmy Cowan to Muliaina resulted in Afoa galloping 25m to crash over between the sticks.
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While the two late tries swept the New Zealanders to victory, they also had to call on all of their defensive will to shut out their opponents when replacement flanker Daniel Braid, who replaced the injured No 8 Kieran Read, was yellow carded for not rolling away at a ruck mid-way through the second half.
Although Jones was in fine touch with the boot, Wales were only unable to add three points while the New Zealanders, down to 14 men, scored through Gear after Jones missed a kick for touch from a penalty.
For the New Zealanders it was difficult to overlook loose forward Jerome Kaino as the man of the match; he was immense, smashing bodies in defence and proving to be the Kiwis everywhere man.
Skipper Richie McCaw was his usual industrious self, while the scrum again was under immense pressure and endured a torrid time under Lewis.
Muliaina and Toeava were the pick of the New Zealand backs, while for the Welsh, once they sorted out their defensive frailties this was a brave effort.
Their pack was outstanding and for Gatland the wolves have stopped circling. For now.
All Blacks 37 (Hosea Gear 2, Mils Muliaina, Isaia Toeava, John Afoa tries; Dan Carter 3 conv, 2 pen)
Wales 25 (Lee Byrne try, Stephen Jones 6 pens, conv).
Halftime: 13-9
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