In a thrilling display of resilience and tactical prowess, the All Blacks secured a hard-fought 52-26 victory over Wales in Cardiff, leaving fans and critics alike debating the finer points of the match. But here’s where it gets controversial—despite the win, questions linger about the team’s consistency and the contentious refereeing decisions that shaped the game. All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson didn’t hold back in his praise, declaring, ‘The guys stood up’, highlighting the grit and determination of his players in a match that could have easily slipped away.
This final Test of the year was always going to be a high-stakes affair, especially after the All Blacks’ crushing defeat to England dashed their Grand Slam dreams. Facing a Welsh side ranked 12th in the world—a team that had won just one home Test in two years—the All Blacks were expected to dominate. Yet, Wales defied expectations, with Tom Rogers becoming the first Welsh player to score a hat-trick against the All Blacks, responding swiftly to tries from Caleb Clarke, Tamaiti Williams, and Ruben Love. And this is the part most people miss—despite the lopsided scoreline, Wales’ performance was a testament to their fighting spirit, even as disciplinary issues and yellow cards to Gareth Thomas and Taine Plumtree opened the door for the All Blacks’ late surge, with Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, and Clarke capitalizing on the opportunities.
The match wasn’t without its share of drama. Two All Blacks tries were controversially disallowed, including a heart-stopping effort by Will Jordan that referee Hollie Davidson—who made history as the first woman to officiate an All Blacks Test—initially awarded before reversing her decision. Robertson didn’t mince words, questioning the clarity of the call and suggesting it’s an issue World Rugby needs to address. ‘She said it was clear and obvious, and then it wasn’t… It has to be clear and obvious for it to be turned over, and it wasn’t,’ he remarked, leaving fans and pundits divided over whether the decision was fair.
Despite the victory, the All Blacks’ transition defense remains a work in progress, a recurring theme throughout the year. However, there were silver linings: improved discipline and a flawless set piece success rate. Robertson’s decision to make 13 changes to the starting lineup paid off, with standout performances from fullback Ruben Love, No.8 Wallace Sititi, and the impactful Leicester Fainga’anuku off the bench. ‘We gave 45 guys opportunities this year to build competition and depth,’ Robertson explained, emphasizing the long-term vision of preparing for the World Cup cycle.
For skipper Scott Barrett, the tour was bittersweet. While the Twickenham defeat loomed large, he remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory. ‘Our trajectory as a team is up,’ he asserted, acknowledging the challenges ahead but expressing excitement for the next two years. Assistant coach Jason Ryan echoed this sentiment, highlighting the growth of the 19 new All Blacks introduced over the past two years, particularly in the forward pack. ‘They’re trending in the right direction,’ Ryan said, though he admitted the team must improve decision-making under pressure to avoid costly errors in high-stakes matches.
Here’s the bold question we’re left with: Is the All Blacks’ current form enough to reclaim their dominance on the global stage, or are their inconsistencies a sign of deeper issues? As they head into a brutal year ahead, one thing is clear—this team is far from finished. What’s your take? Do you think the All Blacks are on the right track, or are there fundamental changes needed? Let’s hear it in the comments!
