All Blacks survive Wales scare

They can keep putting you under pressure for longer periods.

Wales were particularly impressive after their shaky start, and they got the reward their performance deserved just before half-time through the ever-impressive Liam Williams and Rhys Webb.

New Zealand pulled away to a 27th consecutive win over battling Wales in a compelling Test match at Eden Park.

Ken Owens recovered Biggar’s high kick, Williams beat Savea and Wales shifted the ball across field through George North and Hallam Amos for Faletau to score in the left-hand corner.

Wales then retook the lead with a fantastic try.

Ospreys pair Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar fill the roles of scrum-half and outside-half, with Biggar’s goal-kicking precision an added bonus.

Biggar was short with a speculative long-range effort but Wales regained the lead in the 52nd minute after North’s powerful burst.

The errors continued to come from the All Blacks who were struggling to find a way around the umbrella rush defence without using the boot of Cruden.

Leading 21-18, Wales were forced to defend as the All Blacks stepped up the pressure.

Biggar and Cruden traded penalties in the second half before Naholo and Read struck in quick succession and Harris crossed the line after the hooter to complete the scoring.

Cruden then stamped his authority on the match with an inch-perfect try assist for Julian Savea, who gave the All Blacks the lead.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen had spoken before the game of starting a new era after the global retirement of six stalwarts following the World Cup, but the rustiness that has blighted the first match of previous seasons returned.

The sold-out crowd of 46,270 relaxed a little too with the four-point buffer and started a Mexican Wave and the All Blacks began to control territory and possession.

But it was the All Blacks who put the seal on the come-from-behind victory as replacement lock Patrick Tuipulotu set up Read under the posts on 68 minutes to make it 32-21 with Cruden’s successful conversion.

Moments later it was the home fans who were crowing when Faletau had what would have been his second try ruled out or being in front of the kicker as he raced onto the ball and 25 metres to the try line.

The injection of Beauden Barrett and Perenara off the bench provided some much-needed spark and energy, Ardie Savea was a handful in his debut cameo while Nathan Harris was in the right place at the right time when he bundled over for New Zealand’s fifth and final try after the siren.