Wales vs New Zealand 2002

Match Report

by MATTHEW O'NEILL

Francis Meli has collected three tries as New Zealand has emerged victors against Wales 50-22 in the International match played at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

New Zealand led from start to finish but did have a few scares in the first half as Wales were within two points but tries either side of halftime to Lance Hohaia and Stacey Jones ensured the Kiwis would run away with the match.

Richard Swain opened the scoring after five minutes with a penalty goal and that was followed with the first of Meli's three tries in the 15th minute of play. Swain failed to convert as the Kiwis led 6-0. Swain was in the thick of the action on 18 minutes when he scored and converted as New Zealand skipped away to a 12-0 lead.

Wales captain Lee Briers stemmed the tide with a penalty goal after 23 minutes and that was followed with a 26th minute try to Hefin O'Hare, which was converted by Briers who also landed another penalty goal on the half hour mark.

Hohaia produced the try that broke the Welsh back in the 34th minute and also converted his own try as New Zealand led 18-10 and retained that lead at halftime.

Stacey Jones scored seven minutes after halftime to stretch the Kiwis lead out to 22-10 and in the box seat for a big score despite Swain failing to add the extras.

Logan Swann (53rd), Robbie Paul (57th), Francis Meli (61st and 65th) all scored tries that were converted by Swain as the Kiwis superior fitness and ability started to shine as they led 46-10. Swann scored his 2nd try in the 70th minute to put the Kiwis on the round 50 and the score stayed that way with Swain missing the conversion attempt.

Wales rebounded from the Kiwi onslaught to finish the match strongly with late tries to Kris Tassell and Paul Atcheson in the 73rd and 77th minutes to further display the fantastic spirit and a never say die attitude within the Wales side.

The scoreline may have been one-sided but the match proved to be a winner for Wales with further evidence that they are very competitive as a stand-alone nation at the International level despite Keiron Cunningham according to reports missing the match through an "injury".

Source: WalesRL.co.uk