All Blacks v Wales: World reacts to New Zealand’s historic loss in Cardiff
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How the world’s media reacted to the All Blacks’ 35-28 loss at the Principality Stadium.
‘Supposed to be a foregone conclusion’
Jared Wright, Planet Rugby
The iconic Principality Stadium in Cardiff was the stage that Richie Mo’unga needed to relaunch his international career and stamp his
mark on the All Blacks’ number 10 shirt, an opportunity he failed to take.
Dave Rennie rang the changes for New Zealand’s second November Nations Championship match as they went toe-to-toe with a Welsh team that they were expected to beat and beat well. Instead, they were stunned by a magnificent Wales team that were quite simply the better team on the day. They tackled and tackled and tackled, producing an unbelievable upset to beat the All Blacks for the first time since 1953.
Mo’unga was handed the playmaking reins along with fullback Beauden Barrett, with the duo combining once again as they have countless times previously in the black jersey. Frankly, this was supposed to be a foregone conclusion; the All Blacks were supposed to rock up in Cardiff, score tries for fun and move on to Twickenham to tackle England.
Instead, Steve Tandy’s charges had other ideas as a spirited, brave and brutal Welsh outfit pitched up, battered the New Zealanders’ ball carriers, took the battle to the air, were furious on the deck, and put in a performance that stunned the rugby world. It was the kind of performance that we had not seen from a Welsh team since Warren Gatland’s heyday in charge of the side some six or so years ago; it feels like longer, probably is. Under Gatland, they threatened a maiden win over the men from Aotearoa but never had the finishing touches, but no Welshman will forget 14 November 2026.
‘From humiliation to hero-worship’
James Corrigan, The Telegraph
Would you believe it? For the first time in 73 years, Wales have beaten the All Blacks as the doors of immortality swung open for a national squad written off by all but themselves here at a disbelieving Principality Stadium.
Generation after generation had been awaiting this afternoon, but nobody expected this particular group of players to achieve what can justifiably claim to be the biggest win in the 145-year history of Welsh rugby.
Only last year, Steve Tandy’s men were hailing their first victory in 18 tests, after their worst ever run. Now, they have something of rather more substance to celebrate. They have ended the infamous 34-match losing run and laid their homeland’s New Zealand hoodoo to rest.
The feat cannot be overestimated. Sir Gareth Edwards, Barry John, JPR Williams, Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams and so many, many more legends never got the chance to say they beat the New Zealanders whilst playing for their country. Step forward Jac Morgan, Dafydd Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Eddie James at el. From humiliation to hero-worship, from derision to deification, from ridicule to veneration. Unbelievable. Sir Gareth was here and the tears he wiped away summed up the emotions.
And the fact there was a Botham named player-of-the-match made this afternoon yet more surreal. Sir Ian will toast his grandson as heartily as any one of the red masses which flooded into the euphoric Cardiff streets.
‘Fans who stayed away will regret it’
Gareth Griffiths, BBC Sport
Wales had won the first three games in this fixture in 1905, 1935 and 1953 but have had to wait more than seven decades for the next.
In 1953 the New Zealand dollar did not exist, Cardiff was not the capital city of Wales and tries were only worth three points.
Sections of the New Zealand media had belittled Welsh rugby before the game, while some bookmakers offered odds of 20-1 for a Wales victory.
Legends such as Sir Gareth Edwards, Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, JPR Williams, Barry John and Phil Bennett had never enjoyed success against New Zealand in a Welsh jersey.
Now Tandy’s class of 2026 have written their own chapter in Welsh rugby’s history.
The 55,152 was the lowest crowd in the 14 matches between Wales and New Zealand at the Principality Stadium. The fans who stayed away will regret it because it was a day to say “I was there”.
Welsh rugby has been in the doldrums for so long, on and off the field, but will hope this famous victory can help galvanise the nation.
‘Wales are back’
Michael Aylwin, the Guardian
Just when you expect it the least. By what wild logic did Wales choose now to pull off a victory 73 years in the seeking? There may have been only 55,000 in Cardiff’s great stadium for this first win over New Zealand since 1953, but judging by the noise alone, Wales are back. They had managed five wins in 31 tests since the last World Cup, all of them against teams outside the top 10, and they choose now to beat the All Blacks.
An extraordinary defensive display for the last half-hour kept wave after wave of New Zealand attacks at bay, each feat of heroism greeted as if the most sublime of tries by JPR, Gareth, Shane or JJ. None of those ever tasted this, but now a new generation of Welshmen, still young and hopeful, can add a win over the All Blacks to their CV.
‘Remarkable display’
Ben James, Wales Online
Wales produced a remarkable display to shock New Zealand, beating the All Blacks for the first time since 1953.
Tries from Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake, Archie Griffin, Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit capped a remarkable display by Steve Tandy’s side, as they won 35-28 in Cardiff.
A fast start had seen Wales race to a 14-0 and 21-7 lead, only to be pegged back to 21-21 at half-time.
Two quick tries after the break put Wales back in front.
From there, an incredible defensive display saw Wales hold on.
‘Heroic defence’
Warren Fortune, Rugby 365
This match will also be remembered for Wales’ heroic defence in the second half, which included a number of brilliant turnovers.
In total, Wales made 346 tackles in the match.
The All Blacks were also held up over the tryline on several occasions.
Despite the defeat, the All Blacks picked up two losing bonus points, which put them ahead of the Boks in the Southern Hemisphere standings heading into Round Six.
‘Cardiff will celebrate long through the night’
Liam Napier, NZ Herald
In an inspired, scarcely believable, courageous performance that defied all odds, Wales summoned an upset of a generation to stun the All Blacks in Cardiff.
As 55,142 emotional fans – many in tears at the finish – witnessed the first Welsh win against the All Blacks for 73 years, Principality Stadium erupted with passion and pride in a reaction that evoked spine-tingling goosebumps.
The streets of Cardiff will celebrate long through the night to toast a result no one predicted.
Previous Six Nations, Grand Slam-winning Wales teams came close to defeating the All Blacks. But given the challenges engulfing the Welsh game, this side was widely written off.
As the clock ticked down and Wales desperately clung to their lead, locals, sensing an occasion to savour, sang, chanted and willed their side to hold on.
Every tackle, every kick, every little win was roared like a royal parade.
This gripping contest is another timely reminder of sport’s unpredictability.
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