All Black form failed to match pre-game expectation in a 53-37 win over a brave Wales to finish top of Pool D from Telstra Stadium in Sydney tonight.
The teams put on a 12 try attacking master class in one of the best games of the RWC 2003. Both teams picked up a bonus point, with the All Blacks finishing with 20 competition points and Wales 14 points.
Wales came back from 21-10 after 20 minutes to lead 34-33 seven minutes into the second half.
The All Blacks needed three tries in the final quarter to subdue the Welsh threat and confirm a date with South Africa in Melbourne on 8 November in quarter final 1. Wales play England in Brisbane on 9 November in quarter final 4.
For the second time in as many days a Northern Hemisphere team showed no regard for the reputation of their supposed superior Southern Hemisphere opponent.
As if inspired by Ireland’s near thing 17-16 loss to Australia, the Welsh took it to the All Blacks in defiance of a history between the two teams.
Wales last beat the All Blacks in 1953, giving 56,000 Cardiff Arms fans an early Christmas present with a 13-8 on 19 December.
The last time the two teams met New Zealand won 55-3 in from of 52,000 faithful at Waikato Stadium.
It was Wales' highest score against New Zealand, easily eclipsing the 17 points scored in the 43-17 loss at Millennium Stadium in November 2002.
But this is RWC 2003 and all bets are off heading in to the knockout phase.
Wales shocked the highly favoured All Blacks, scoring three tries and running the New Zealanders around in the first half, forwards Robert Sidoli and Jonathan Thomas prominent with ball in hand along with wing Shane Williams.
The Welsh took the lead for the first time on 47 minutes, Shane Williams crossing wide on the left after Charvis and Sidoli had carted the ball within centimetres of the line.
The Welsh were able to fluster and confuse the All Blacks with a combination of vigor and enthusiasm, finding some very big holes in the middle of the All Black ruck.
Something of a patsy in world rugby for more than two decades, the Welsh XV grew to such a stature by the 57th minute, they repelled two All Black five metre scrums.
Trailing 37-33 the All Blacks were held up over the line twice in the five minutes between these two scrums, before Carlos Spencer crossed on an angled run to the left of the posts to put New Zealand back in front by a point on 61 minutes.
New Zealand led 28-24 in a seven try first half.
New Zealand scored four tries in the first half, Joe Rokocoko crossing twice inside the opening 20 minutes, while outside centre Leon MacDonald, preferred in the starting XV for this game ahead of Ma’a Nonu, converted all four tries in a faultless kicking performance and scored a try himself for a personal tally of 13 points for the half.
The All Black bonus point try was a beauty, giant 202 cm or six feet eight inch lock Ali Williams taking a cross kick from fly half Carlos Spencer on the full above diminutive Welsh wing Shane Williams.
The Wales first half tries were scored by Shane Williams, Sonny Parker and captain Colin Charvis.
The first All Black try went to Rokocoko on two minutes which Leon MacDonald converted from wide on the left.
Play was stopped for five minutes after the first Rokocoko try as Welsh fullback Garan Evens was stretchered from the field with a head knock after taking the full force of the hip of his captain Colin Charvis.
Evans was replaced by Gareth Thomas.
Thomas dropped the ball over the line on nine minutes after Wales ran 15 consecutive phases at the All Blacks inside the 22.
Wales then disrupted the subsequent New Zealand scrum but Marshall was able to clear to take the pressure off.
Mark Taylor got what became the inevitable five pointer on 13 minutes, converting concerted pressure into points after Stephen Jones starting the movement with a neat chip and chase before the ball was shifted right to Taylor with a three man overlap.
The All Blacks replied within the minute, Rokocoko crossing for his second, put away on the right by Brad Thorn after quick hands under pressure on the inside by number 8 by Jerry Collins. MacDonald converted and the score was 14-7.
Scorers:
New Zealand 53
Tries: Rocokoko 2, Howlett 2, MacDonald, Williams, Spencer and Mauger
Conversions: MacDonald 5
Penalties: MacDonald 1
Wales 37
Tries: Taylor, Parker, Charvis and Williams
Conversions: S. Jones 4
Penalties: S. Jones 3