Wales v New Zealand LIVE: Impressive hosts stunning All Blacks to lead breathless Nations Championship clash

Wales face up to the daunting challenge of New Zealand as they again seek to end their seven-decade wait for success against the All Blacks.

Steve Tandy’s side made a winning, if unconvincing, start to their November with Nations Championship success against Japan last week, but will know they must lift their level to stay with their vaunted visitors. Aaron Wainwright’s injury absence is a blow to the hosts, who have not beaten New Zealand since 1953.

This looks a touring team in increasingly fine fettle, too, though Dave Rennie takes the opportunity to look at the strength in the depth of his squad. Beauden Barrett captains the All Blacks for the first time as the full-back closes in on a century and a half of international caps, while Richie Mo’unga is a rather handy third-string fly half to bring in.

Follow all of the latest from the Nations Championship clash with our live blog below:

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Wales v New Zealand LIVE

• Wales face New Zealand in the Nations Championship | Live on ITV
• Hosts have not beaten the All Blacks since 1953
• 7' – Lake adds second try as Wales surge ahead in dream start [WAL 14-0 NZL]
• 25' – Archie Griffin extends Welsh advantage as sides trade tries [WAL 21-7 NZL]
• 40' - All Blacks score on stroke of half time to level [WAL 21-21 NZL]

Wales 28-21 New Zealand, 47 minutes

15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Penalty to Wales! Oh, boy. Jac Morgan the jackaller, limpeting over the top. New Zealand cling on.

What’s the call? Points or corner? The latter!

Wales 28-21 New Zealand, 46 minutes

15:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand just haven’t looked at it defensively after all those changes, particularly in the wide channels. Josh Moorby and Fehi Fineanganofo have really, really struggled.

TRY! WALES 28-21 New Zealand (Eddie James, 44 minutes)

15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And there’s the try! Eddie James on the left edge!

What a start to the second half from the hosts, patient and, eventually, potent. Tomos Williams picks his moment to flash a pass out to the imposing James, who needs none of his burl to beat Quinn Tupaea with the New Zealand centre drawn to the man on the inside.

It’s a brilliant conversion from Sam Costelow, too. Yowzer!

Wales 21-21 New Zealand, 44 minutes

15:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The home forwards thump around the corner, knocking back the black jerseys. Where is the space? Tomos Williams tries to snipe and find it, but can’t. 16 phases now.

Wales 21-21 New Zealand, 43 minutes

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales attack away to the right and make good ground, initially via Max Llewellyn and then the combination of Tomos Williams and Louis Rees-Zammit.

Through the hands to the left, James Botham angling back in. 10 metres out.

Wales 21-21 New Zealand, 41 minutes

15:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A sloppy start from Gabriel Hamer-Webb, still ploughing on despite that earlier injury scare, fumbling a high ball. Or did he? There might not have been a knock-on there, and the scrum feed goes the way of Wales.

Second half...

15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, here we go. Surely Wales can’t stay with them? The players are back out there.

The second half is underway.

WATCH: ALL Blacks pull level on stroke of half-time

15:07 , Luke Baker

Here’s that All Blacks try to finish the first half. What a hammer blow for Wales who deserved to go into the break ahead

Give the All Blacks a lifeline, and that's what they do to you...😤

Wales with a penalty, go for the lineout instead of ending the half, and the New Zealand win it back, and you know the rest. 👊

Brilliant try in the end by Fehi Fineanganofo and it's all square 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/OV1AWyovl0

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) November 14, 2026

HALF-TIME! Wales 21-21 New Zealand

15:04 , Luke Baker

Some half of rugby

HALF-TIME! Wales 21-21 New Zealand

14:59 , Luke Baker

And that’s half-time. Phew! What a mad, mad first half. Hands up if you you predicted that 40 minutes of rugby. Put your hand down, you liar!

Somehow, Wales twice led by 14 points but the All Blacks hung in there and scored on the stroke of half-time to draw level.

You feel like Wales’s chance at victory may have now gone but what a performance by Steve Tandy’s side

TRY! Wales 21-21 New Zealand (Fehi Fineanganofo, 40+4 mins)

14:56 , Luke Baker

Good carry by Sititi from loose ball and they’re within five metres. AND THERE’S THE TRY!

So frustrating for Wales on the stroke of half-time as Quinn Tupaea fills in at scrum half, steps left and offloads to Fehi Fineanganofo who goes over for a try on his first start.

Easy conversion and the All Blacks are back level!

Wales 21-14 New Zealand, 40+2 mins

14:55 , Luke Baker

Untidy lineout again but Wales at least retain possession this time. Not for long though and the All Blacks try to run from their own half.

A few carries get them moving forward and Anton Segner takes them into the Welsh 22...

Wales 21-14 New Zealand, 40 mins

14:53 , Luke Baker

Another messy lineout - that’s a big issue for Wales. The attacking chance is immediately squandered as Lake throws too long.

The pair trade kicks before New Zealand go for the quick lineout but then give away the penalty themselves, so Wales kick to touch again, up towards the 22. Another chance.

Wales 21-14 New Zealand, 39 mins

14:52 , Luke Baker

Poor lineout from New Zealand, overthrown by Asafo Aumua and Sam Costelow gratefully seizes the loose ball.

A couple of nice carries put Wales in All Blacks territory before a speculative kick comes to nothing but there’s penalty advantage for the visitors being off their feet.

Costelow kicks to touch. A final chance for Wales in the final knockings of the first half.

Wales 21-14 New Zealand, 38 mins

14:50 , Luke Baker

Wales have an overlap on the left, Eddie James tries to glide past his man but Anton Leinert-Brown with a brilliant tackle to corral him. Wallace Sititi then over the ball to win the breakdown penalty for the All Blacks.

Wales 21-14 New Zealand, 36 mins

14:48 , Luke Baker

The All Blacks are suddenly dominating possession and Wales are no longer on top here.

Now a loose lineout from Lake sails over the back and bounces into All Black hands. However, it’s a poor kick from Richie Mo’unga and Louis Rees-Zammit thumps it miles upfield, where it’s downed in the in-goal area.

Wales 21-14 New Zealand, 34 mins

14:45 , Luke Baker

A test for Wales now. Can they see this through to half-time with the lead?

TRY! Wales 21-14 New Zealand (Wallace Sititi, 32 mins)

14:44 , Luke Baker

And there’s the New Zealand try. The driving maul sets things up, the All Blacks pop out the side and get within a couple of metres before Wallace Sititi carries into two tacklers but keeps the legs moving and stretches out to dot down.

Simple enough conversion and New Zealand back within a score.

Wales 21-7 New Zealand, 30 mins

14:41 , Luke Baker

All Blacks fling the ball side to side looking for a gap and steadily work into the 22. Peter Lakai with a couple of front-foot carries before Josh Moorby lurks on the right wing but a cross-field kick is over his head and into touch.

Back for the penalty and the ABs kick to the corner.

Wales 21-7 New Zealand, 29 mins

14:40 , Luke Baker

Another scrum, another penalty to the defending team. All Blacks win it this time and Richie Mo’unga kicks to touch, although that’s not brilliant. Well outside the 22.

All Blacks run a few phases into the red wall before Anton Leinert-Brown bashes for a few metres and then New Zealand play penalty advantage.

Wales 21-7 New Zealand, 27 mins

14:38 , Luke Baker

What an (unexpected) chance Wales have given themselves here. Long way to go but could they? No, surely not... But then...

More sloppiness from New Zealand as Beauden Barrett knocks on in midfield. Symptomatic of their play so far

TRY! Wales 21-7 New Zealand (Archie Griffin , 25 mins)

14:36 , Luke Baker

AND THERE’S THE TRY! Three for Wales in 25 minutes. Superb!

After going blind, Wales pop the ball back inside, prop Archie Griffin lowers his shoulder and drives through a tackle to dot down. So clinical.

Sam Costelow slots the conversion and Wales’s 14-point cushion is restored. What a start to this match!

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 24 mins

14:35 , Luke Baker

Huge opportunity. Adam Beard lifted and secures the lineout. The driving maul makes a couple of metres, then it’s stopped. Blind side loaded, Max Llewellyn tackled. Recycled again..

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 23 mins

14:34 , Luke Baker

Llewellyn gets within a metre of the line, he’s fighting to get over but is held up and the ball prised free from his hands. Back for the penalty though.

Do Wales take the three? Nope. To the corner we go... The Principality roars its approval...

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 22 mins

14:33 , Luke Baker

Soft penalty but Wales won’t mind and they hoof the ball up to the All Blacks 22. Great kick by Costelow.

Lineout secured and Max Llewellyn with a powerful carry in midfield. Wales probe down the left, Blair Murray darts for a few more metres.

James Botham takes contact and penalty advantage is coming Wales’s way

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 20 mins

14:31 , Luke Baker

New Zealand awarded the penalty when Tomos Williams delays the feed. Hmmm...

The All Blacks opt for another scrum rather than kicking to the corner and WALES WIN THE PENALTY THIS TIME! Huge for the hosts. Looks like Fletcher Newell was pinged for bringing it down.

Surely the All Blacks have to go to the corner though?

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 18 mins

14:29 , Luke Baker

George Bower with a lovely offload for New Zealand - not bad for a loosehead. Scott Barrett then tries similar when in the Welsh 22 and if he gets it off it’s probably a try but the ball goes forward in contact.

Wales scrum in their own 22 and we get an inevitable scrum reset first up... A breather is maybe not a bad thing after this breathless start to be honest

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 17 mins

14:27 , Luke Baker

This is carnage! Both sides throwing the ball about but the passes are loose and possession keeps flipping from one side to the other. Anton Segner also wins a jackal turnover at the ruck but surely he’s off his feet? Gets away with it anyway.

Eventually, Wales concede the penalty so All Blacks have ball in enemy territory.

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 15 mins

14:25 , Luke Baker

Wales set the maul but it’s well defended by the All Blacks. Powerful Eddie James drives into contact. Another phase and the All Blacks turn it over! Great work on their own five-metre line.

They manage to exit. Chance slips away for Wales.

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 14 mins

14:24 , Luke Baker

Wales attack again. Louis Rees-Zammit with space out wide once more and he makes good metres before cutting inside after Blair Murray’s pass. Front-foot ball and a kick through is dealt with by Beauden Barrett.

But penalty advantage. Wales kick to the corner...

Wales 14-7 New Zealand, 12 mins

14:23 , Luke Baker

Jac Morgan doing Jac Morgan things! Jackal turnover in his own half to relieve pressure on Wales and give them an attacking platform

TRY! Wales 14-7 New Zealand (Cortez Ratima, 10 mins)

14:21 , Luke Baker

All Blacks back in it and it’s a little soft from Wales.

New Zealand set up the driving maul and Wales commit men. But Cortez Ratima sees space, snipes from the back, hands off a defender and runs over for the try. The hosts will be disappointed with that.

Conversion added and the deficit back to just seven

Wales 14-0 New Zealand, 9 mins

14:20 , Luke Baker

Great work by German-born Anton Segner who only moved to New Zealand when he was 15. He wins the breakdown penalty and the All Blacks have a platform to build from here.

Wales 14-0 New Zealand, 8 mins

14:18 , Luke Baker

A ludicrous start for Wales really. They’ve caught the All Blacks cold. Now they play the ball inside their own 22 and spread it wide before Rees-Zammit kicks clear.

TRY! Wales 14-0 New Zealand (Dewi Lake, 7 mins)

14:16 , Luke Baker

OH MY WORD! What is happening?!

It’s brilliant by Wales. So clinical. After the Morgan carry takes them within a couple of metres, Williams fires a flat pass and Dewi Lake comes on to it. He rides a challenge and stretches for the line.

Sam Costelow adds the conversion once more. This is incredible!

Wales 7-0 New Zealand, 6 mins

14:16 , Luke Baker

Wales win the penalty and kick to the corner. All Wales so far! Lineout is clean, the maul is stopped but Wales reload and Jac Morgan with a hard carry to within a few metres

Wales 7-0 New Zealand, 4 mins

14:14 , Luke Baker

Surely in their wildest dreams Wales didn’t envision that start? Can they buiild on it?

Beauden Barrett carries hard for New Zealand from the kick-off as they look to run from inside their own half again. They’re happy not to kick so far

TRY! Wales 7-0 New Zealand (Tomos Williams, 2 mins)

14:13 , Luke Baker

WHAT A START! WALES IN DREAMLAND!

From that All Blakcs knock on, Tomos Williams bombs a long, 25-metre pass out to Louis Rees-Zammit on the right wing. What a pass! The winger grubbers past the final defender. and Williams has run a supporting line and dive on the ball in the in-goal area! Superb try!

Conversion added. Wow wow wow.

Wales 0-0 New Zealand, 1 mins

14:11 , Luke Baker

The sides trade early kicks before Blair Murray has a little dart towards halfway. The full back is one of Wales’ best open-field runners.

The All Blacks then try to run it out from the 22 but knock the ball on and turn over, giving the hosts good field position.

KICK-OFF! Wales v New Zealand

14:10 , Luke Baker

Underway in Cardiff. Wales in red, New Zealand in all black - as it should be

Warm-ups needed on a chilly day

14:05 , Luke Baker

It’s not exactly balmy in Cardiff... Those warm-ups will have helped the teams literally warm up a bit you’d have thought.

I’m sure the stirring rendition of the Welsh national anthem that we’ve just heard will help warm the hearts of the home players anyway. And the imminent haka likewise for the All Blacks

Wales v New Zealad

14:01 , Luke Baker

The teams are heading out on to the pitch at the Principality Stadium. About 10 minutes to go until kick-off - will Wales be able to live with the All Blacks?

Wales vs New Zealand match officials

13:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)

ARs: Nic Berry (Aus) & Luc Ramos (Fra)

TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)

FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ire)

Newcastle or New Zealand

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s worth watching Fehi Fineanganofo today, the wing coming off a record-setting try-scoring season with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific and earning a first All Blacks start. His exploits and international call-up forced him into a change of heart, reneging on an agreed deal to join the Newcastle Red Bulls to instead switch to the Gallagher Prem after next year’s World Cup. It feels a sensible move, though those back three positions are so competitive.

What's in a name?

13:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

To give him his full name, Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Faingaʻanuku is a fascinating figure in this New Zealand 23. Dubbed unconventionally after father Ta’u’s adventures at the 1999 Rugby World Cup with Tonga, Fainga’anuku has reinvented himself as a hybrid this year, featuring regularly in the back row with the Crusaders and seemingly providing cover there this week.

That versatility is becoming increasingly valuable in the game, from Andre Esterhuizen to Henry Pollock. It’ll be fascinating to see where and when the 27-year-old comes on – though he’ll punch a fair few holes regardless.

Welsh midfield in focus

13:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales have stuck with a bulky centre pairing of Max Llewellyn and Eddie James, who worked well together at times against Japan but perhaps need to show a little more cohesion and connection today. You do wonder if Steve Tandy might eventually revert back to more of a playmaker alongside the increasingly impressive James, but you can understand him wanting to give his supersized midfield a good run this autumn given the talent they possess.

Team news – New Zealand

13:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand ring the changes from the win over Scotland as Beauden Barrett captains the All Blacks for the first time on the occasion of his 149th cap. Richie Mo’unga comes in as his playmaking partner at fly half, while Fehi Fineanganofo and Anton Segner start for the first time at flanker and on the wing respectively.

There are six forwards on the bench, in a sense: Leicester Fainga’anuku has featured regularly in the back row for the Crusaders this year having forged his reputation as a hard-running outside back.

New Zealand XV: 1 George Bower, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Fletcher Newell; 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Josh Lord; 6 Anton Segner, 7 Peter Lakai, 8 Wallace Sititi; 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Richie Mo’unga; 11 Josh Moorby, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo; 15 Beauden Barrett (capt.).

Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Leicester Fainga’anuku; 22 Kyle Preston, 23 Rieko Ioane.

Team news – Wales

13:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales are without No 8 Aaron Wainwright, which leads to a bit of a back row reshuffle from Steve Tandy. Taine Basham makes his first Wales appearance in nearly three years at the base of the scrum with James Botham brought in on the flank, while Adam Beard’s experience and lineout nous are favoured in the second row.

Josh Adams is rested, which allows Tandy to reward Gabriel Hamer-Webb for a good start to the season at Leicester.

Wales XV: 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Archie Griffin; 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Adam Beard; 6 James Botham, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Taine Basham; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Sam Costelow; 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 12 Max Llewellyn, 13 Eddie James, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit; 15 Blair Murray.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Ben Carter, 20 Taine Plumtree; 21 Reuben Morgan-Williams, 22 Dan Edwards, 23 Louie Hennessey.

What will today bring?

13:07 , Luke Baker

Welsh fans will likely be heading to the Principality with trepidation this afternoon - could this game get out of hand?

Hopefully Steve Tandy’s side can give a good account of themselves in the face of a huge challenge.

Wales vs New Zealand

13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

New Zealand have tallied 54, 55 and 52 points on their last three visits to the Principality Stadium, setting a pretty consistent benchmark against with Wales can measure themselves.

You may wonder why Wales’ record against the All Blacks is quite so poor given some of the sides they’ve fielded over the decades. It did not help that they only played New Zealand twice during the 1970s glory years, while their best crop under Warren Gatland rather coincided with an era-defining, dominant All Blacks team.

Familiar faces

12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There’s a fair bit of familiarity between the two coaching staffs. Dave Rennie’s three-year stint in Scotland with Glasgow crossed over with Steve Tandy and Danny Wilson’s time as assistants to Gregor Townsend, while Wales defence coach Peter Murchie was part of Rennie’s backroom team with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan before making the switch to Cardiff earlier this year.

"I know them well and they are very good, smart coaches," said All Blacks boss Rennie.

"Pete did a phenomenal job defensively with us at Kobe, and I can see the impact he's having already. And likewise with Steve.

"It's going to take time to turn things around, but I can definitely see the impact they're having."

Jonathan Davies to step down from BBC commentary after Six Nations: ‘It’s just time’

12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back to today’s proceedings in a moment, but there was news this week of a favourite son of Wales with code-hopper Jonathan Davies announcing that next year’s Six Nations will be his last as a BBC commentator. The ever-smiling Jiffy has been a stalwart of both league and union coverage for three decades.

Jonathan Davies to step down from BBC commentary after Six Nations: ‘It’s just time’

Key refereeing changes explained as rugby’s Nations Championship returns

12:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Those maul law tweaks came in earlier in the year, but it’s worth noting again the points of emphasis this November. We saw the first hip-drop tackle penalty and yellow card to Australia’s Angus Bell last week.

Key refereeing changes explained as rugby’s Nations Championship returns

The maul has become too powerful – but rugby’s tactical trend is more interesting than you might think

12:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The prowess of the maul has been a theme of this competition, with sides struggling to find ways to combat the lineout drive. Why is this the case? And is it really as boring as some suggest?

The maul has become too powerful – but that doesn’t mean it is boring

Nations Championship schedule, results, kick-off times and how to watch

12:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Nations Championship is hotting up, with South Africa and New Zealand assured of a top two finish in their pool with finals weekend a fortnight away. How did the Springboks’ result in Paris last night change things?

Nations Championship schedule, results, kick-off times and how to watch

All Blacks dealt huge injury blow as Will Jordan suffers hamstring tear

12:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A much-changed New Zealand team are missing a few key figures, too, with wing Will Jordan a doubt for the remainder of the Nations Championship.

All Blacks dealt huge injury blow as Will Jordan suffers hamstring tear

Wales dealt Aaron Wainwright blow as Taine Basham starts against New Zealand

11:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The task would be tough enough for Wales with Aaron Wainwright in the side, but the No 8 is absent with an injury.

Wales dealt Aaron Wainwright blow as Taine Basham starts against New Zealand

Wales v New Zealand LIVE

Friday 13 November 2026 14:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The intensity level ratchets up for Wales as their Nations Championship campaign continues with a daunting encounter with a New Zealand side bouncing down to Cardiff from Murrayfield. It is more than 70 years since the last Welsh win over the All Blacks – can they spring an almighty shock today?

Kick off is at 2.10pm GMT.