Wales make history with stunning victory over All Blacks

Wales produced one of the biggest results in their rugby history, defeating New Zealand 35-28 in a thrilling Nations Championship encounter at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.

Steve Tandy's side ended a 73-year wait for a victory over the All Blacks, securing their first win against the visitors since 1953 and bringing an end to a remarkable run of 34 consecutive defeats.

The hosts made a dream start, with scrum-half Tomos Williams opening the scoring inside the first two minutes. Williams finished off an excellent attacking move after Louis Rees-Zammit's clever chip ahead, with Sam Costelow adding the conversion. Wales struck again shortly afterwards, as captain Dewi Lake powered over from close range to give the hosts a 14-0 advantage.

New Zealand responded through Cortez Ratima, who crossed in the 10th minute, but Wales continued to apply pressure. Prop Archie Griffin added a third try in the 24th minute to restore their 14-point advantage. The All Blacks fought back through Wallace Sititi, who scored from close range, before Fehi Fineanganofo crossed deep into stoppage time to level the scores at 21-21 heading into the break.

Wales came out firing after half-time and quickly regained control. Centre Eddie James crossed in the 44th minute following a well-worked attacking move, before Rees-Zammit added another try four minutes later. Costelow converted both scores to give the hosts a commanding 35-21 lead.

The All Blacks refused to surrender and responded through Peter Lakai in the 53rd minute, reducing the deficit to seven points. From there, New Zealand launched wave after wave of attacks in search of an equalising score, but Wales produced an outstanding defensive performance to keep the visitors at bay.

The hosts made several crucial interventions inside their own 22, repeatedly holding up New Zealand players over the try line and denying the visitors a route back into the contest.

Despite spending much of the closing stages under pressure, Wales held their nerve to secure a historic 35-28 victory, sending the Principality Stadium into celebration and delivering a memorable result for Welsh rugby.

Wales scorers: Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake, Archie Griffin, Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit (tries); Sam Costelow (5 conversions).

New Zealand scorers: Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Fehi Fineanganofo and Peter Lakai (tries); Richie Mo'unga (4 conversions).