Wales v South Africa: Hosts move on to Springboks after New Zealand defeat

Wales' hopes of staging a major upset against New Zealand were brutally extinguished as the All Blacks dominated their opponents in a convincing 50-26 victory at the Principality Stadium. The win extended the All Blacks' unbeaten run against Wales to 34 games, dating back to 1953.

New Zealand's physical dominance was evident throughout the match, with the team managing 1,362 meters from 167 carries compared to Wales' 593 from 77. The All Blacks also secured seven tries, with Damian McKenzie adding 17 points to their total.

Wales, on the other hand, struggled with discipline issues, conceding penalties as they transgressed 14 times, compared to four from New Zealand. The team also buckled in the final quarter, with yellow cards for replacement prop Gareth Thomas and number eight Taine Plumtree.

Despite the convincing defeat, Wales coach Lloyd Robertson praised his team's effort, saying "We spoke about not giving up and we didn't and it shows the character in this group." However, he also acknowledged that the All Blacks' power game was too much to handle, stating "Our power game was strong... We're ranked one and two in the world in a lot of areas and one of them is our power game."

Wales will now face the world champions, South Africa, at the Principality Stadium next weekend. The match has been scheduled for financial reasons, but clashes with a weekend of United Rugby Championship (URC) games mean that no other international matches are being staged next weekend.

The loss to New Zealand comes as part of a dismal run for Wales in recent months, with the team shipping 127 points in three November games. However, fans will hope that still exists next Saturday evening after South Africa have had their say.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around how big the difference is between those two teams . I mean, New Zealand's physicality was just on another level . They dominated every aspect of the game and it's crazy to think they can maintain that level of performance against South Africa next week? The fact that Wales got so destroyed despite having some solid moments shows how tough their opponents are going to be for them this season. I'm curious to see how Robbie Schoeman and his team will bounce back from this loss, though

Wow Wales just got thrashed by NZ but I think they need to work on their discipline those penalties are crazy 14 times is a lot! Interesting though how coach Robertson praised the team's effort despite losing, it shows he's trying to keep morale up

ugh, wales got destroyed by nz - like what can you even do against a team as dominant as all blacks? they literally ran over them on the pitch lol 594 meters vs 167 carries tho it's pretty embarrassing for wales... gotta feel for the guys tho, at least they showed character and didn't give up coach lloyd robertson is being super positive tho which is cool but let's be real, all blacks are a whole different level can only hope that south africa comes to town next weekend and brings some good luck

ugh, wales is just so inconsistent rn . like they're all over the place, sometimes they can actually put up a fight and sometimes... well, not so much . and those discipline issues? wow, 14 penalties in one game? that's just embarrassing . anyway, gotta give credit to new zealand though, they brought their A-game (pun intended ) and showed us what a real team looks like . but hey, wales fans will still be rooting for them against south africa next week, because let's face it, anything can happen, right?

lol what a match ! did u guys see those stats on carries? NZ was all over wales like a bad rash 1,362 meters from just 167 carries is insane ! and that try count? 7 tries for the black caps meanwhile wales were getting puked all over 593 meters in just 77 carries not sure what's going on with those discipline issues tho 14 penalties to nul... what a game

man... those All Blacks are just unstoppable i mean, they've got this unbeaten run going on for ages now and it's hard to see them losing to anyone, let alone wales wales was definitely outclassed in that match, physical dominance was the difference maker. but gotta respect lloyd robertson's attitude, talking about character and all that ... still gonna be tough for wales against south africa next weekend tho

can't believe wales got destroyed like that . i mean, all blacks are just on another level atm . but wales were so disciplined in the first half lol they could've won it easy . anyway, gotta be proud of them for not giving up . gotta wonder what gonna happen against south africa tho? gonna be a tough one

Man, those All Blacks are like a well-oiled machine right now! They're so dominant on the field it's crazy. Wales can't even get a break without getting knocked around . I feel bad for them, they gave it their all and Lloyd Robertson is still proud of that, which is awesome . But, yeah, you gotta give credit where credit is due to New Zealand's power game . Now, South Africa is coming up next... fingers crossed Wales can turn this around and get a win!

can't believe wales thought they could take down the all blacks... again those yellow cards though are a major concern for their power game

omg u guys i cant even lol wales got DESTROYED by nz i feel bad for them tho they tried so hard and gareth thomas got a yello card did u see the stats on mtrs carried tho? nz was like 469x more than wales and damian mcenzie scored 17 points omg what a legend! but seriously wales gotta step up their game for south africa next wkend fingers crossed they can get that win tho!

Man I'm like totally worried about Wales' chances against South Africa . They're like on fire right now and those disciplinary issues are gonna be a major problem for them against the world champs . The All Blacks were brutal out there, no question, but that's just it - they've been doing this for years and they know how to crush teams when they need to . For Wales to have any hope they gotta bring their A-game and actually start executing all those penalties . It's like they're taking two steps forward one step back, you feel me? They gotta cut out the discipline issues and actually start playing some decent rugby for once

just watched that match and I gotta say, the All Blacks are on fire ! Their power game is insane . They're so dominant it's like they're playing a different sport . Wales was no match for them . The All Blacks' 7 tries were just ridiculous . And those discipline issues from Wales? . I feel bad for the Welsh fans, they must be heartbroken . On to next week tho! Are you guys gonna beat South Africa?

OMG, what a crushing defeat for Wales! The All Blacks were on fire tonight and it's no surprise they smashed the opposition 50-26. New Zealand's physical dominance was crazy to watch - those stats are insane (1,362 meters vs 593). Wales just couldn't keep up with the pace .

I feel for the Welsh team though, they gave it their all and showed a lot of character, as coach Lloyd said. It's not easy to deal with discipline issues and yellow cards in the final quarter . But on the bright side, they get to face South Africa next week - that could be a different story!

man that was a wild one the all blacks are just on another level right now, no shame in losing to such a dominant team but wales gotta find a way to step up their game soon they got some tough matches coming up and can't afford to get blown out like that again 50-26 is a lot of points hopefully they can regroup and come back stronger for the south africa match

I'm totally stoked about this one . I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a bunch of physical behemoths like the All Blacks run all over Wales? It's not like they're going to put on a good show or anything. And yeah, it's super inspiring that Wales even managed to keep up for a bit, but let's be real, they were always gonna lose in the end . I mean, 50-26 is just a fluke score, right? I'm actually kinda excited to see how Wales does against South Africa next week... maybe we'll get some actual competition for once

Umm, I think they're saying the All Blacks are unstoppable? Like, seriously, how can you stop a team that's dominating on both physicality and skill? And yeah, discipline issues for Wales, but like, who wouldn't crack under pressure? It's not all bad though, coach Lloyd Robertson is giving them credit where it's due... or is he just trying to hide the truth? I mean, if they're so strong in power games and stuff, maybe they won't be so hard to beat against South Africa next weekend... unless... unless they're on fire again and Wales just can't catch a break!

I'm not buying all this hype about the All Blacks' "physical dominance" . They just ran a bunch of guys over each other and said "yay, we won!" And don't even get me started on the penalties - 14 times Wales got whacked for some basic foul play? It's like they were just giving the All Blacks an excuse to keep hammering away.

And what's with this whole "we spoke about not giving up" thing? Yeah, that sounds great and all, but if your team is getting killed on the pitch, maybe you should be working on some actual strategies instead of just rallying your troops to not quit . Wales had a chance to take it to New Zealand, but they blew it. Now they get another shot against South Africa... I'm still not convinced .

So they got beat pretty badly by NZ . I mean, 50-26 is a huge gap . Wales played rough too, all those penalties and yellows . But still, I gotta respect the Welsh team for not giving up . Coach Lloyd said it showed their character which is true . Now they're gonna face South Africa next week , another tough one... hoping they can bounce back