June Test 2016 / NZ v Wales / Eden Park

 Luke Romano of the All Blacks takes the ball in the lineout during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales at Eden Park on June 11, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(June 10, 2016 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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New Zealand recovered from being 15-18 down at the break to win 39-21 in their opening Test against Wales in Auckland on Saturday.

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 Kieran Read of the All Blacks is tackled by George North of Wales during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales at Eden Park on June 11, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(June 10, 2016 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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A general view is seen during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales at Eden Park on June 11, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(June 10, 2016 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Man of the match: A few men on both sides put their hand up for this award as Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau stood out for Wales while Waisake Naholo and Kieran Read were impressive in black. But we go forBen Smith, who again showed his importance to this New Zealand side.

Moment of the match: When the Welsh scored through Taulupe Faletau in the tenth minute, it set the tone for a brilliant game to start this June series.

Villain of the match: We don’t like to pick up on an error in such an entertaining game but Wayne Barnescalling Aaron Cruden’s pass to TJ Perenara forward was one for the archives. Despite several replays and advice from elsewhere Barnes stood by his decision. An amazing call.

Match Report Here: Planet Rugby

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 Kieran Read of New Zealand clashes with Taulupe Faletau of Wales going after a high ball during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales at Eden Park on June 11, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(June 10, 2016 - Source: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks looks to fend during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales at Eden Park on June 11, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.

(June 10, 2016 - Source: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Pool A - Wales 28 - England 25

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 A resounding comeback from Wales helped them secure a 28-25 win over Rugby World Cup hosts England at Twickenham on Saturday.

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 Geoff Parling of England and Bradley Davies of Wales compete for lineout ball during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on September 26, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 25, 2015 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

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George North of Wales is tackled by Jonny May of England during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on September 26, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 25, 2015 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)

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Owen Farrell of England is tackled by Taulupe Faletau and Alun Wyn Jones of Wales during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium on September 26, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 25, 2015 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

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Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium

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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks runs out onto the field for his 100th game as All Black captain during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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Three tries in the final ten minutes saw New Zealand - in Richie McCaw's 100th game as captain - beat Wales 34-16 at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

15-16 up on 69 minutes, Wales were sniffing a massive win over the All Blacks. But then fly-half Beauden Barrett's individual score knocked the stuffing out of the Welsh before Kieran Read and Barrett again sealed New Zealand's fourth win of their successful end-of-year international tour.

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Sam Warburton the captain of Wales leads his team onto the pitch during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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Man of the match: While he was a little shaky early on, that moment of quality when he floored Wales with a chip that resulted in a key try almost saw Beauden Barrett win this award. But in the end we go for Kieran Read after a tireless effort in Cardiff.

Match Report / Planet Rugby

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Julian Savea of the All Blacks scores his sides opening try despite the challenge from Alex Cuthbert of Wales during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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 Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand is sandwiched by Dan Lydiate (bottom) and Richard Hibbard during the International match between Wales and New Zealand All Blacks at Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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 Kieran Read of the All Blacks is tackled during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Richie McCaw of the All Blacks is tackled during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks makes a break during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Kieran Read of the All Blacks scores a try in the tackle of Justin Tipuric of Wales during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Kieran Read (R) of the All Blacks scores his sides fourth try despite the attentions of Justin Tipuric of Wales during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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 Richie McCaw of the All Blacks and Jamie Roberts of Wales contest the high ball during the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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 Wales captain Sam Warburton (c) Dan Lydiate (l) and Mike Phillips combine to thwart Richie McCaw of New Zealand during the International match between Wales and New Zealand All Blacks at Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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 Alex Cuthbert of Walesis upended as Leigh Halfpenny gathers possession during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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Wales scrum half Rhys Webb scores the first Wales try during the International match between Wales and New Zealand All Blacks at Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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Jamie Roberts of Wales is tackled by Wyatt Crockett of the All Blacks during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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Wyatt Crockett of the All Blacks drinks from the trophy following the Intenational match between Wales and the New Zealand All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 21, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

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James Bevan Trophy 2014

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Wales fall to Wallabies

Australia held off a spirited effort from Wales to condemn their hosts to yet another defeat against their visitors, going down 33-28 on Saturday.

Match Report / Planet Rugby

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 Wales player George North (l) attempts to tackle Wallabies wing Adam Ashley-Cooper during the Autumn international match between Wales and Australia at Millennium Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 7, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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 Wales captain Sam Warburton makes a break during the Autumn international match between Wales and Australia at Millennium Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 7, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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If it wasn't before, it is now a worrying trend for Wales one year out from the World Cup as they went down to their upcoming Pool A rivals.

They had a chance to win but in the end first-half errors and late ill-disciplined saw Australia prevail.

There were no penalties on the board during the first-half as both teams enjoyed lots of space to unleash their dangerous runners in back play.

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 Wallabies fly half Bernard Foley kicks a drop goal despite the attentions of Mike Phillips during the Autumn international match between Wales and Australia at Millennium Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 7, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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 Israel Folau (R)of Australia is held up by George North (L) of Waes during the International match between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 7, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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Man of the match: He directed Australia superbly well, with his points key to the victory. Hats off to fly-half Bernard Foley, with mentions going to Sam Warburton and Israel Folau.

Moment of the match: Poor Rhys Webb. He started strongly with a try but his intercept pass to Israel Folau was a sucker punch to Wales in the first-half. A gift seven points.

Villain of the match: Nothing nasty to report.

Planet Rugby / Match Report

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 General stadium view as both teams contest a lineout during the International match between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 7, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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 Tevita Kuidrani (R) of Australia breaks through the challenge of Alun Wyn Jones of Wales to score his sides third try during the International match between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 7, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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Wallabies V Wales: 

Australia's 33-28 win at Millennium Stadium

Match Report / Herald Sun

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 Wales player Jamie Roberts is tackled by Wallabies player Nick Phipps during the Autumn international match between Wales and Australia at Millennium Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 7, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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IT WASN’T  in the game-plan and it hadn’t been practised at training, but Bernard’s Foley’s drop goal to sink Wales 33-28 at Millennium Stadium has given new coach Michael Cheika a “winning streak of one” as the Wallabies head to France for the second Test of the Spring tour.

Much had been made of Australia’s nine-win run against Wales coming into Cheika’s first Test as coach but he made it clear that Sunday morning’s pulsating victory would mean absolutely nothing when the two teams line up again at the Rugby World Cup in 12 months’ time.

Match Report / Herald Sun
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George North (C) of Wales cuts between James Horwill (L) and Michael Hooper (R) of Australia during the International match between Wales and Australia at the Millennium Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 7, 2014 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

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next test:

Nov 15

Wales v Fiji

Millennium Stadium / Cardiff

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France v Australia

Stade de France  / Paris

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Headlines from Planet Rugby / Weekend Previews

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New Scotland head coach Vern Cotter will get his first taste of action at Murrayfield when Argentina visit on Saturday.
Scotland RFU
Argentina RFU

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Saturday's big showdown in Dublin sees the Six Nations champions host a Springbok side high on confidence and looking to lay down a marker.
S.Africa RFU
Ireland RFU

Eben Etzebeth with Victor Matfield in a line out during the South African National rugby team training session at Blackrock College RFC on November 05, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.

(November 4, 2014 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

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Another end-of-year Test series is upon us and still the same question remains; can Wales end their drought against the heavyweight southern trio.
Wales RFU
Australia RFU

Wales players Rhys Priestland (back left) Justin Tipuric (back right) Cory Allen (2nd bottom) and Jamie Roberts in action during Wales training at the Millennium stadium on November 3, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 2, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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Australia Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika (3rd right) shares a joke with his players during a Wallabies training session at Treforest on November 6, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 5, 2014 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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New Zealand will look to make a dent in England's World Cup aspirations when the two sides face off at Twickenham on Saturday.
England RFU
New Zealand RFU

The New Zealand All Blacks arrive for a training session at Latymers on November 6, 2014 in London, England.

(November 5, 2014 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)

England practice their scrummaging during the England training session held at Pennyhill Park on November 6, 2014 in Bagshot, England.

(November 5, 2014 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

http://www.planetrugby.com/

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Ireland 26 - Wales 3

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Ireland suffocate subdued Wales

Ireland v Wales - Official Extended Highlights 8th February 2014

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Ruthless, clinical and unrelenting, Ireland confirmed their status as title contenders with a convincing 26-3 win over Wales.

Man of the Match: The accolades should flow Peter O'Mahony's way. Prominent at the breakdown, in defence and at the line-out - he looks like a future captain.

Moment of the Match: Ireland had enjoyed plenty of possession but only had six points when Chris Henry flopped over for the first try. It opened the scoreboard up.

Villain of the Match: The needless handbags from Mike Phillips after Jackson's try summed up his and Wales' frustration.

Match Report from Planet Rugby

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next test:

Feb 21

Wales v France

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Feb 22

 England v Ireland

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6 Nations 2014 - Wales v Italy

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Italy push Wales close in opener

Wales v Italy - Official Extended Highlights 1st February 2014

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Reigning champions Wales saw off a promising Italian side 23-15 thanks to tries from Alex Cuthbert and Scott Williams.

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Man of the Match: With two tries and causing plenty of danger for the Welsh defence,Michele Campagnaro gets the nod for a very impressive performance in midfield.

Moment of the Match: A pick for Campagnaro again, with his interception of Halfpenny's pass seeing him streak away for a long-range try to narrow the scoreboard late on and leave Wales sweating.

Match Report from Planet Rugby

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next test:

Feb 8
Ireland v Wales
Feb 9
France v Italy

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Millennium Stadium

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Wales hammer Argentina

 Wales captain Sam Warburton runs into the Argentina defence during the International Match between Wales and Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on November 16, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 15, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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Four-try Wales impressed to overcome a fatigued Pumas side 40-6 in an entertaining Test at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday.

Scores from Mike Phillips, George North, Toby Faletau and Ken Owens coupled with twenty points from the boot of Leigh Halfpenny were too much for a Pumas team that failed to capitalise on their early opportunities.

Where last week, against South Africa, Wales lacked a clinical element in attack, on Saturday they took the chances their play created, and quickly racked up a handsome lead.

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 Wales player Toby Faletau makes a break during the International Match between Wales and Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on November 16, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 15, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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 Wales player Luke Charteris in action during the International Match between Wales and Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on November 16, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 15, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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Both teams began with plenty of enterprise in attack, and a high-tempo, offloading game was the order of the day. The Argentines had the better of the first-half, and indeed were briefly a man up after Justin Tipuric was sin-binned for tackling a player without the ball.

Sparkling runs from Santiago Cordero and a lovely chip and chase from captain Juan Leguizamon put the visitors in good attacking positions, but errors and good Welsh defence shut them down time and again.

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 Wales player Mike Phillips outpaces Santiago Cordero of Argentina to score the first try during the International Match between Wales and Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on November 16, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 15, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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Man of the Match: Leigh Halfpenny was typically outstanding, and Mike Phillips recorded his best performance in a Welsh jersey for some time. But number eight Toby Faletau was at the heart of all Wales' tight grunt and attacking verve. His try was just reward for a performance that reaffirmed how important he is to the Dragons and Welsh rugby.

Moment of the Match: Faletau's try was the pick of the bunch, and extinguished any faint hopes of an Argentine comeback.

Match Report from Planet Rugby

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Wales player George North bursts past Horacio Agulla to score the second Wales try during the International Match between Wales and Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on November 16, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.

(November 15, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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next test:

22 Nov

Wales v Tonga

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23 Nov

Italy v Argentina

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