WALES PUT TO THE SWORD!

Wales 10-45 New Zealand

Wales 10 (3)
Tries: M Williams.
Cons: Hook.
Pens: S Jones.

New Zealand 45 (28)
Tries: McAlister, Sivivatu 3, Penalty try.
Cons: Carter 2, Evans 2.
Pens: Carter 4.

New Zealand finished their November tour with victory over a gritty Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Luke McAlister set the All Blacks on their way with the opening try after just four minutes, with wing Sitiveni Sivivatu adding a fine hat-trick.

Wales caused the All Blacks as many problems as England or France had, but still finished a distance behind.

The home side did claim a deserved try from Martyn Williams, but the All Blacks moved away with a penalty try.

In an unprecedented escape from tradition, the fans were denied the sight of the haka being performed live because of a spat over the order of performances of national pride.

Wales were determined to sing Hen Wlad fy Nhadau after the haka, but the All Blacks were having none of it and opted to perform it privately in the dressing room.

If a packed Millennium Stadium was disappointed to miss out on that, the fans were soon treated to an early try - if that is the right word for the red-shirted majority.

Stephen Jones missed touch and New Zealand launched a swift counter-attack that swept from right to left flank, allowing Sivivatu's inside pass to send centre McAlister over.

Fly-half Dan Carter added the conversion and followed that up with three penalties to give the All Blacks a 16-0 lead with a quarter of the match gone.

The penalties Wales conceded were a sign of the pressure they were under, unable to make headway against fierce defence and creaking when New Zealand had the ball.

At last Wales managed to put New Zealand under pressure, some clever off-loading in contact carving into the visitors' 22.

Skulduggery in a ruck eventually brought the move to an end, but referee Dave Pearson had spotted All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw's infringement and awarded the penalty.

The flanker escaped with a lecture and Stephen Jones kicked the three points to get Wales on the scoreboard.

Wales looked like they would create another opportunity when Carter had a kick charged down, but the All Blacks defence swarmed over the danger.

Hooker Rhys Thomas could not take a pass under pressure and Carter was on hand to scoop the loose ball and race away downfield.

Great work from New Zealand lock Ali Williams and hooker Anton Oliver punched the move forward, giving Sivivatu a one-on-one against Tom Shanklin.

The flying winger gave Shanklin no chance, a shimmy and burst of pace sending Sivivatu over from five metres for another seven-pointer.

The Chiefs wing added his second before the break, cutting a beautiful inside line after another irresistible counter-attack had caught Wales out.

The only surprise was that Carter missed the simple conversion, proving he is fallible if only sometimes.

Normal service was resumed within four minutes of the restart as Carter struck his fourth penalty of the evening, although he was again wide with a similar attempt soon after.

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins had seen enough and James Hook, Alix Popham and Gethin Jenkins all arrived off the bench for Shanklin, Ryan Jones and Duncan Jones.

But Jenkins' opposite number Graham Henry added fresh legs to his own side and the pattern of All Blacks dominance continued.

A chink of light came when McCaw was sin-binned for one infringement too many and Wales laid siege to the Kiwi line from a series of five-metre line-outs and drives.

Patience paid off and Martyn Williams was shunted over the try line, with Hook taking over the kicking duties to stroke the conversion.

But all the hard work was undone as Popham left a hole in the Wales defence that allowed Nick Evans, on for Carter, to burst through and send Sivivatu under the posts for his hat-trick.

Evans added the easy extras for a 38-10 All Blacks lead with 15 minutes left on the match clock.

Andrew Hore became the second All Black to be shown a yellow card, after McCaw had returned to the action, but this time it made little difference.

Rico Gear cut back inside to be stopped just short of the try line, but Wales killed the ball in desperation and referee Pearson awarded a penalty try.

Evans' conversion made it 45-10 and ensured Wales continue their 53-year wait for another victory over New Zealand.

Wales:
Kevin Morgan; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Sonny Parker, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones (capt), Dwayne Peel; Duncan Jones, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Ian Evans, Ian Gough, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones.
Replacements: Mathew Rees for R. Thomas (72), Gethin Jenkins for D. Jones (46), Alun Wyn Jones for Evans (55), Alix Popham for R. Jones (46), Mike Phillips for Peel (60), James Hook for Shanklin (46), Gavin Henson for Parker (72).

New Zealand:
Mils Muliaina; Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher; Neemia Tialata, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw (capt), Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Andrew Hore for Oliver (48), Tony Woodcock for Tialata (35), James Ryan for Williams (61), Reuben Thorne for So'oialo (61), Piri Weepu for Kelleher (48), Nick Evans for Carter (61), Ma'a Nonu for Sivivatu (75).

Sin bin: McCaw (56), Hore (71).

ALLBLACKS NAME TEAM TO FACE WALES:

New Zealand's team to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday shows seven changes from their last outing against France.

But captain Richie McCaw, fly-half Daniel Carter and flanker Jerry Collins will all start despite suggestions they would be rested.

Conrad Smith and Luke McAlister are reunited at centre, Mils Muliaina at full-back in place of Leon MacDonald.

Rico Gear replaces winger Joe Rokocoko, while Neemia Tialata, Anton Oliver and Keith Robinson come into the pack.

Gear scored a hat-trick of tires when the sides last met a year ago at the Millennium Stadium, with Carter adding the other 26 points in a crushing 41-3 victory.

"This is the team best suited to play Wales," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who only had injured centre Aaron Mauger unavailable for selection.

"The Welsh play a different style to the French and the match will be played in different conditions. We've made changes accordingly."

New Zealand:
Mils Muliaina; Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher; Neemia Tialata, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw (capt), Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, James Ryan, Reuben Thorne, Piri Weepu, Nick Evans, Ma'a Nonu.

WALES NAME TEAM FOR ALL BLACKS MATCH:

Wales have selected Sonny Parker ahead of Gavin Henson for Saturday's Test with New Zealand in Cardiff.

Parker will partner Tom Shanklin in the midfield, with Henson on the bench after recovering from a toe infection.

Gareth Thomas has been ruled out with a knee injury so Kevin Morgan starts at full-back, but fly-half Stephen Jones returns to captain the side.

Duncan Jones and Rhys Thomas come into the pack as only the other changes to the side that started against Canada.

Loose-head prop Duncan Jones, who captained the side to victory over the Pacific Islanders earlier this month, replaces Gethin Jenkins, while Thomas is preferred to Matthew Rees at hooker.

James Hook makes way at fly-half for Stephen Jones to return for the first since he was injured against Australia in the opening match of the autumn series.

But emerging Ospreys star Hook has won a place on the bench to cover the inside centre and fly-half positions ahead of Ceri Sweeney.

Ian Gough and Ian Evans have fought off competition from Brent Cockbain to continue as the lock partnership.

Cockbain, available again after his 20-day suspension, has been released back to the Ospreys despite Wales losing lock Rob Sidoli, who was on the bench against Canada, to a shoulder injury.

Parker returned to the international stage for the first time in a year a fortnight ago after ending his international retirement to face the Pacific Islanders.

The 29-year-old duly won the man-of-the-match award for his performance in the 38-20 victory and followed that up with another outstanding performance last week against Canada.

Henson had been set to face the Canadians - and was pencilled in to face the All Blacks - before an infected toe forced him to pull out at the last minute.

But Wales coach Gareth Jenkins said Parker's form has made it impossible for him to overlook the Kiwi-born centre.

"Sonny very much played himself into the selection debate with two solid performances since coming out of retirement, against Canada and the Pacific Islanders," said Jenkins.

"He comes into an exciting back line with the kind of pace and power which can hopefully match New Zealand and enable us to take our game-plan to them."

Wales have not beaten the All Blacks for 53 years, but Jenkins claims this set of players are capable of etching their names into the history books.

"We go into this game with a huge amount of self-belief. We know we are playing the number one team in world rugby, but we also know they are human beings," he said.

Wales:
Kevin Morgan; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Sonny Parker, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones (capt), Dwayne Peel; Duncan Jones, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Ian Evans, Ian Gough, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones.
Replacements: Mathew Rees, Gethin Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones, Alix Popham, Mike Phillips, James Hook, Gavin Henson.

ALL BLACKS CLINCH SERIES:

FRANCE 11-23 NEW ZEALAND


France: (5) 11
Tries: Heymans
Pens: Yachvili (2)

New Zealand: (16) 23
Tries: Rokocoko, Nonu
Con: Carter (2)
Pens: Carter (3)


New Zealand beat France for the second time in seven days to further enhance their status as overwhelming favourites for next year's World Cup.

Despite an early shock when a Cedric Heymans try put France 5-3 ahead, an upset never looked likely in Paris.

Daniel Carter's kicking and tries either side of the break from Joe Rokocoko and Ma'a Nonu had the All Blacks 23-5 ahead after 50 minutes.

France battled but could only respond with two Dmitry Yachvili penalties.

New Zealand demolished France 47-3 in Lyon last week and were quickly ahead again when Carter slotted an early penalty.

But the 80,000 crowd in the Stade de France was ignited when Kiwi full-back Leon MacDonald dropped a high ball, allowing Heymans to scamper over in the corner.

If there were any nerves on the All Blacks side, the peerless Carter soon banished them with two penalties.

And with half-time approaching the New Zealanders landed a killer blow, combining superbly following a midfield break from MacDonald to send Rokocoko in at the corner.

Carter converted to give the All Blacks a useful 16-5 lead at the break and when centre Nonu powered over from close range early in the second half, the result was beyond doubt.

France did not capitulate, however, and dominated possession in the closing stages without ever really threatening the New Zealand line.

Yachvili did land his second penalty with two minutes to play but the Parisian crowd greeted the decision to kick for goal with derisory whistles.

"It was tough tonight," said Carter. "The French really took it to us and came back well in the second half. It was a scrappy win, but we will take it."

France coach Bernard Laporte said: "The All Blacks are a very good side, we know that, but if we hadn't had conceded that try at the end of the first half, it would not have been the same match."

France:
Elhorga; Rougerie, Fritz, Jauzion, Heymans; Traille, Elissalde; Miloud, Ibanez (capt), de Villiers, Nallet, Pape, Bonnaire, Martin, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Szarzewski, Marconnet, Jacquet, Betsen, Yachvili, Marty, Dominici.

New Zealand:
MacDonald; Rokocoko, Muliaina, Nonu, Sivivatu; Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman, Jack, Williams, Collins, McCaw, So'oialo.
Replacements: Hore, Tialata, Eaton, Masoe, Ellis, Evans, McAlister.

ALL BLACKS THRASH FRENCH:

FRANCE 3 NEW ZEALAND 47:


France (3) 3
Drop goal: Fritz


New Zealand (23) 47
Tries: Sivivatu 2, McCaw, Carter, Smith, Rokocoko, McAlister
Cons: Carter 3
Pen: Carter 2

New Zealand underlined their status as favourites for the 2007 World Cup with a dazzling seven-try display away to tournament hosts France.

Tries from Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter helped the All Blacks into a 23-3 lead at half-time.

They ran in tries from Conrad Smith and Joe Rokocoko early in the second half.

And further efforts from Sivivatu, with his second, and Luke McAlister rounded off an awesome performance as France managed only a Florian Fritz drop goal.

Sivivatu produced a sizzling step off his left foot to beat Aurelien Rougerie and power over for the opening score after five minutes.

Carter missed the conversion but soon landed a penalty to put the visitors 8-0 ahead.

France finally got on the scoreboard through Fritz after 21 minutes but Carter's boot edged the All Blacks further ahead before they ran in two tries to take total control.

Captain McCaw got the first when he powered over from close range and Carter went over unopposed on the stroke of half-time as New Zealand really turned the screw.

Things went from bad to worse for France four minutes after the break when a rare home attack broke down and Smith raced 70 metres to score under the posts.

Carter's conversion made it 30-3 and he was on target again after Rokocoko finished off another searing New Zealand attack.

The All Blacks eased off a little in the final 20 minutes but they still had the last word as Sivivatu and McAlister went over in the left-hand corner to finish off a brace of flowing attacks.

FRANCE:
Laharrague; Rougerie, Fritz, Jauzion, Dominici; Traille, Yachvili; Marconnet, Szarzewski, De Villiers, Pelous, Pape, Dussautoir, Bonnaire, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Ibanez, Milloud, Nallet, Martin, Elissalde, Marty, Heymans.

NEW ZEALAND:
MacDonald; Rokocoko, Smith, McAlister, Sivivatu; Carter, Weepu; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Ryan, Williams, Collins, McCaw, So'oialo.
Replacements: Mealamu, Tialata, Eaton, Masoe, Kelleher, Nonu, Muliaina.

10 CHANGES FOR FRENCH TEST:

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has made 10 changes to his side for Saturday's first Test against France in Lyon.

Full-back Leon MacDonald, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, scrum-half Piri Weepu and centres Conrad Smith and Luke McAlister come into the backs.

Number eight Rodney So'oialo, flanker Jerry Collins, hooker Anton Oliver and locks Ali Williams and James Ryan are named in the pack.

The All Blacks defeated England 40-21 in their tour opener on Sunday.

"We felt it was important to have fresh legs for this match against the strongest team in the northern hemisphere," said Henry.

"We are playing in Lyon where they had a lot of success and we are playing on Armistice Day, which usually brings out the best in the French side.

"It's a significant challenge for our team."

Henry has delayed naming his replacements as there is an injury concern over prop Neemia Tialata.

Fly-half Nick Evans, named in the original starting XV for the England game, remains sidelined with the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Twickenham contest.

Star half-back Dan Carter, who was brought in to replace Evans and scored 26 points, retains his place as do skipper Richie McCaw, props Tony Woodcock and Carl Hayman and wing Joe Rokocoko.

New Zealand are using this tour as a dry run for next year's World Cup in France.

They face France again in Paris on 18 November before playing Wales in Cardiff a week later.

NEW ZEALAND:
MacDonald; Rokocoko, Smith, McAlister, Sivivatu; Carter, Weepu; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Ryan, Williams, Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo.
Replacements: TBC

ALL BLACKS THUMP WOEFULL ENGLAND:

England 20 (5)
Tries: Noon, Cohen, Perry.
Cons: Hodgson.
Pens: Hodgson.

New Zealand 41 (28)
Tries: Mauger, Rokocoko, Hayman, Carter.
Cons: Carter (3).
Pens: Carter (5).

England lost their sixth straight match and suffered a record home defeat as Dan Carter led New Zealand to victory.

Jamie Noon's early try was disallowed - he did score later but Joe Rokocoko and Carl Hayman's tries just before the break put New Zealand well in command.

England took the game to the All Blacks in the second half and had a man over when Chris Masoe was sin-binned.

But fly-half Carter scored 26 points as New Zealand eased home despite tries by Ben Cohen and debutant Shaun Perry.

In the first match under England's restructured set-up and in front of Twickenham's new South Stand, coach Andy Robinson's side were hoping to produce something for a record 82,000 crowd to cheer about.

But although they showed determination, England were guilty of careless errors at crucial moments and the All Blacks dominated the scrums.

The 21-point losing margin was England's worst defeat on home soil - surpassing their 29-11 loss against South Africa nine years ago.

Carter, a late addition to the All Blacks side following an injury to his understudy Nick Evans, soon underlined his status as arguably the best back in world rugby.

The fly-half put them into an early lead with a penalty after England were guilty of keeping their hands in a ruck, and his clinical kicking continued to punish the home side whenever they transgressed.

But England hit straight back with some quick handling sending Noon clear.

The Newcastle centre had Danny Grewcock outside him but chose to go it alone and seemed to have grounded the ball after rolling over the line under some All Black tackling.

But referee Joel Jutge called for the video and no try was awarded because it was not conclusively clear that Noon had grounded.

Noon did get his name on the try-sheet later in the half, reacting quickly to scoop up Anthony Allen's pass that had bounced behind Iain Balshaw and sprinting over the line.

But the All Blacks had already established a healthy cushion by then, thanks to Aaron Mauger's try, which was set up for him by Rico Gear, and Carter, who kicked conversions and penalties with metronomic consistency.

And two tries just before the break put the visitors almost out of sight.

Firstly Rokocoko intercepted Allen's telegraphed pass to race up the pitch and touch down.

Then in the last action of the half, Carl Hayman crossed over the line after a neat passing movement stemming from a dropped pass by Lewis Moody, which Rokocoko carried up the field.

Despite that double whammy, England came out full of heart at the start of the second half and were almost instantly rewarded for continuing to take the game to the All Blacks.

A long and laboured move ended with Cohen diving over on the wing and England were threatening to build some momentum, but the All Blacks struck back in typically ruthless fashion.

Carter brushed off Allen's feeble attempt at a tackle to break the England line and sprint clear for a simple try.

England hung on, with Perry charging down Mauger's kick and taking the ball down the other end for a memorable debut try.

A glimmer of hope for the home side came when Masoe was sin-binned for getting caught underneath Cohen.

But Hodgson missed the easy penalty that resulted and the All Blacks even extended their lead despite being a man down.

Carter rounded off his man-of-the-match performance with a couple more penalties as England's new rugby supremo Rob Andrew was given plenty to think about ahead of England's defence of their world crown next year.






ENGLAND:
Balshaw; Sackey, Noon, Allen, Cohen; Hodgson, Perry; Sheridan, Chuter, White; Grewcock, Kay; Corry (capt), Moody, Sanderson.
Replacements: Mears, Turner, Jones, Lund, Richards, Goode, Van Gisbergen.

NEW ZEALAND:
Muliaina; Gear, Nonu, Mauger, Rokocoko; Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman; Jack, Robinson; Thorne, McCaw (capt), Masoe.
Replacements: Hore, Afoa, Dermody, So'oialo, Ellis, MacDonald, Sivivatu.

ENGLAND/ALL BLACKS NAME TEAMS;

Preview: All Blacks v England 02/11/2006

England, no matter its perceived strength, is always a tantalising prospect for All Blacks fans and the opening Test of this year's tour promises to be little different as New Zealand counts down to its Rugby World Cup campaign.

VENUE & TIME: Twickenham, London, Monday November 5, 4.30 NZT.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 28 - All Blacks 21, England 6, Draws 1.

LAST TIME: November 19, 2005 (Twickenham) - All Blacks 23-19 England.

WALKING WOUNDED: New Zealand is still not able to call on fullback Leon MacDonald and prop Neemia Tialata and Nick Evans is described as a 50-50 chance to play due to a hamstring strain. England has far greater injury concerns. Among the English absentees are: fullback Josh Lewsey, centre Mathew Tait, No.8 James Forrester. Wing Mark Cueto is the most recent withdrawal after suffering an ankle injury.

FORM: England's record in the last 12 months has not been impressive and it has entered into a rebuilding phase before next year's World Cup. The injury list will not have helped coach Andy Robinson in his plans but the introduction of new players gives them a chance to impress. The All Blacks, after dominating the Tri Nations, lost disappointingly in their last match to South Africa.

WHO'S HOT: First five-eighths Charlie Hodgson has a big role to play in whatever game plan England employs. His kicking will be crucial but his ability to set alight his backline will make him dangerous. Martin Corry is on the blindside of the scrum and respected for his work rate. Wing Ben Cohen is always a handful against New Zealand. Evans might be a surprise for British pundits at first five-eighths, but he had a good Air New Zealand Cup campaign for Otago and will relish any openings in the English defence. Outside him Aaron Mauger will have an important role in unleashing centre Ma'a Nonu's talents. Captain Richie McCaw, after such a long time out of match play can be expected to be a dominating figure in the loose.



TEAMS:

New Zealand: 1 - Tony Woodcock, 2 - Keven Mealamu, 3 - Carl Hayman, 4 - Chris Jack, 5 - Keith Robinson, 6 - Reuben Thorne, 7 - Richie McCaw (Captain), 8 - Chris Masoe, 9 - Byron Kelleher, 10 - Nick Evans, 11 - Joe Rokocoko, 12 - Aaron Mauger, 13 - Ma'a Nonu, 14 - Rico Gear, 15 - Mils Muliaina.

Replacements: 16 - Andrew Hore, 17 - John Afoa, 18 - Clarke Dermody, 19 - Rodney So'oialo, 20 - Andrew Ellis, 21 - Dan Carter, 22 - Sitiveni Sivivatu.

England: 1 - Andrew Sheridan, 2 - George Chuter, 3 - Julian White, 4 - Danny Grewcock, 5 - Ben Kay, 6 - Martin Corry (Captain), 7 - Lewis Moody, 8 - Pat Sanderson, 9 - Shaun Perry, 10 - Charlie Hodgson, 11 - Ben Cohen, 12 - Anthony Allen, 13 - Jamie Noon, 14 - Mark Cueto, 15 - Iain Balshaw.

Replacements: 16 - Lee Mears, 17 - Stuart Turner, 18 - Chris Jones, 19 - Magnus Lund, 20 - Peter Richards, 21 - Andy Goode, 22 - Mark van Gisbergen.