Redemption Found: All Blacks Crush Valiant Wales 52-26, Ending Mixed 2025 with an Eye on the Blockbuster 2026 Season
Cardiff, Wales – November 23, 2025
The All Blacks concluded a tumultuous 2025 season with a definitive statement of intent, powering past a spirited Welsh side 52-26 in a high-scoring thriller at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The victory, New Zealand’s 34th consecutive against Wales, offered a much-needed sign of attacking cohesion and depth, giving Coach Scott Robertson a positive platform from which to prepare for a colossal 2026 schedule.
The decisive scoreline belied a gritty contest that saw the home side, led by the sensational Tom Rogers who bagged a historic hat-trick against the All Blacks, trading blows for the first 50 minutes. It was only a dominant second-half surge, aided by Welsh indiscipline, that allowed New Zealand to pull away and finish their Quilter Nations Series campaign on a high note.
A High-Octane Eight-Try Thriller
Under pressure to deliver a response after last week’s deflating defeat to England, Scott Robertson selected a heavily rotated side, handing valuable Test exposure to several emerging stars.
The Match Highlights:
- Early Flurry: Wing Caleb Clarke opened the scoring for the All Blacks in the fourth minute, but the hosts quickly replied through Rogers. The back-and-forth continued, with a brilliant individual effort from fullback Ruben Love pushing New Zealand ahead before Rogers crossed for his second just before the break.
- The Surge: The All Blacks held a slender 24-14 lead at halftime. Wales briefly threatened to overturn the deficit when Rogers completed his historic hat-trick early in the second half. However, New Zealand’s renowned bench power and quality ultimately proved too much.
- Decisive Quarter: The game broke open when Wales replacement prop Gareth Thomas and loose forward Taine Plumtree were sent to the sin bin in quick succession. The All Blacks ruthlessly capitalised, with replacement wing Sevu Reece scoring a late brace, Rieko Ioane crossing, and Clarke adding his second try right at the death to bring up the 50-point mark.
- Final Score: All Blacks 52 (Tries: Clarke 2, Reece 2, Love, Williams, Ioane; Cons: McKenzie 7; Pen: McKenzie) defeated Wales 26 (Tries: Rogers 3, Rees-Zammit; Cons: Edwards 3).
No. 8 Wallace Sititi was immense, earning Man of the Match with his tireless carrying and defensive work, while first five-eighth Damian McKenzie maintained a 100% conversion rate, steadying the new-look backline.
Answering the Critics
The victory was paramount for the All Blacks, who finished the 2025 season having accumulated three losses, including a major defeat to England the week prior. That loss had raised concerns about the team’s ability to maintain pressure and avoid handling mistakes under duress.
Robertson, who has focused heavily on building squad depth throughout the year, acknowledged the challenges: “It’s been a helluva year… We had to respond after last week, and the boys certainly took that message to heart. We showed real quality when we needed it.” The performance confirmed that the talent pool is indeed deep, but consistency remains the ultimate target.
Looking Ahead: The Colossal 2026 Schedule
The All Blacks now turn their attention to a ground-breaking and demanding 2026 season, which will feature the launch of the new global Nations Championship and a highly anticipated tour.
- Nations Championship Debut: The All Blacks will host France, Italy, and Ireland in July 2026 as part of the inaugural Nations Championship. They will then travel north in November to face Wales, Scotland, and England before contesting the Finals Weekend in London at the end of the month.
- Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) Tour: In a throwback to the multi-fixture tours of old, New Zealand will embark on a landmark tour of South Africa in August and September 2026, playing four provincial teams (Stormers, Sharks, Bulls, and Lions) alongside a four-Test series against the Springboks.
The dominant display against Wales offers a glimpse of the attacking prowess Robertson hopes to unleash when this expanded squad is fully mobilised for the massive challenges of the 2026 global calendar. The focus now shifts from resolving the frustrations of 2025 to preparing for a season that will truly test the depth and mettle of the All Blacks under their new coaching regime.
