It wasn’t just a loss. It was a reckoning. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, the Wales national rugby union team fell 52-26 to the New Zealand national rugby union team — the All Blacks — in the final match of the 2025 Quilter Nations Series. The scoreline didn’t tell the whole story. The truth? Wales was outclassed, outmuscled, and outthought. And they were missing too many key names to even pretend they were at full strength.
Understrength and Outgunned
Wales entered this match with a squad thinned by injury, rotation, and selection dilemmas. Captain Dewi Lake, their defensive rock, was sidelined. So were several frontline backs and forwards who’ve become staples under head coach Steve Tandy. The result? A team that looked fragmented — especially in the second half, when the All Blacks turned the screws with surgical precision.
At halftime, Wales clung to a 13-17 deficit. By the 60th minute, they were down 45-19. The visitors didn’t just score; they dismantled. And it wasn’t just about power. It was about timing, discipline, and relentless pressure — the hallmarks of a world-class side.
Standouts and Struggles
For Wales, Louis Rees-Zammit was the lone bright spot. The 24-year-old Cardiff-born winger, who plays for Gloucester, earned a 7/10 from RugbyPass for his relentless energy. He chased down kicks like a man possessed, beat All Blacks fullback Caleb Clarke in a rare burst of pace, and scored a stunning solo try in the corner — the kind of moment that reminds you why he’s one of the most exciting players in the northern hemisphere.
But even Rees-Zammit couldn’t carry the team. Fly-half Dan Edwards, 22, started brilliantly with a perfect offload to Tom Rogers for Wales’ opening try. But as the All Blacks’ kicking game intensified, Edwards faded. His influence vanished. His kicks were swallowed. His decisions grew hesitant.
And then there was Rhys Carré. The 25-year-old prop, rated just 3/10 by both RugbyPass and the NZ Herald, missed four tackles — including one that let Ruben Love slip through for a try. It wasn’t just a mistake. It was a pattern. And it’s the kind of error that gets magnified when you’re already down.
For the All Blacks, it was a textbook performance. Captain Scott Barrett, 32, wasn’t flawless — penalized for a lineout collapse and a breakdown infringement that led to Wales’ second try — but he kept the engine running. His work at the maul and scrum was the quiet backbone of their dominance.
But the real star? Wallace Sititi, the 22-year-old number 8. He carried the ball 18 times — more than any other player on the field. He crashed over the gain line like a freight train. And when the All Blacks needed a spark after a dropout, it was Sititi who charged forward, broke the line, and set up the try that put the game out of reach. Rugby365 said it best: “He showed why there were calls for Sititi to start at Twickenham.”
The Long Shadow of History
This defeat extends Wales’ winless run against New Zealand to 30 consecutive matches — dating back to January 1, 1954. That’s 71 years. Three generations of Welsh fans have grown up watching their team lose to the All Blacks. Some have stopped watching. Others still cling to hope.
And yet, the gap isn’t just about talent. It’s about structure. The Welsh Rugby Union, headquartered in Cardiff, has struggled to modernize its pathways. Player development is fragmented. Coaching pipelines are inconsistent. And now, with a £1.2 million estimated loss in gate receipts from this match — due to lower-than-expected attendance — the financial pressure on Abi Tierney, the WRU’s chief executive since January 2023, is mounting.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Rugby, under CEO Mark Robinson, has quietly built a system that churns out world-class talent year after year. They didn’t just win this match. They reminded everyone why they remain the benchmark.
What Comes Next?
Wales now turns to their next challenge: a home clash with the South Africa national rugby union team — the Springboks — on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the same Principality Stadium. The stakes? Higher than ever.
Tandy will have to decide: Do he stick with the young, gutsy squad that showed flashes of promise? Or does he gamble on bringing back injured stars like Lake and fly-half Owen Williams? The defense, exposed by the All Blacks’ kicking game, needs urgent attention. The breakdown, where Wales was routinely outmuscled, must be rebuilt.
And then there’s the mental toll. After 30 straight losses to New Zealand, belief is fragile. But as RugbyPass journalist Jonny Dymond wrote: “The visitors may have pulled away in the second half, but there are many positives that Steve Tandy can take heading into their clash with South Africa next week.”
Those positives? Rees-Zammit’s courage. Edwards’ early brilliance. The grit of substitutes like Nick Tompkins, who brought energy after coming on at the 54th minute. But positives don’t win matches against the Springboks. Structure does. Discipline does. Depth does.
Key Facts
- Final score: All Blacks 52 - Wales 26 (November 22, 2025, Principality Stadium)
- Wales’ winless streak against New Zealand: 30 matches (since 1954)
- Wallace Sititi led all players with 18 carries
- Rhys Carré missed 4 tackles, including the one that let Ruben Love score
- Wales’ next match: vs South Africa, November 29, 2025, same venue
- Estimated financial loss for WRU: £1.2 million in gate receipts
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Wales so understrength in this match?
Wales was missing key players due to injury and strategic rotation ahead of the Springboks match. Captain Dewi Lake, fly-half Owen Williams, and several frontline forwards were sidelined. The Welsh Rugby Union has been managing player workload after a grueling Six Nations campaign, but the lack of depth in the squad became glaringly obvious against a world-class All Blacks side.
How does this loss affect Wales’ chances against South Africa?
It’s a major concern. South Africa’s physicality and set-piece dominance will exploit Wales’ current defensive frailties. If Tandy doesn’t fix the breakdown and improve tackling discipline, the Springboks could win by 40 points. The All Blacks exposed every weakness — and South Africa won’t be as forgiving.
What’s the significance of Wallace Sititi’s performance?
Sititi’s 18 carries and relentless energy showed why he’s being tipped as the future of New Zealand’s back row. His performance in Cardiff echoed his standout game against England at Twickenham, proving he’s not just a backup — he’s a starter. His rise also highlights New Zealand’s ability to develop talent from provincial rugby, unlike Wales, which still struggles to integrate young players into the international setup.
Why did Rhys Carré get such a low rating?
Carré missed four tackles — including one that allowed All Blacks fly-half Ruben Love to score a try. In modern rugby, props are expected to be mobile and reliable in defense. His failures weren’t isolated; they were symptomatic of a wider issue: Wales’ lack of physical presence in the front row. Against South Africa, that could be catastrophic.
Is there any hope for Wales in the near future?
Yes — but only if the WRU invests in youth development and coaching consistency. Players like Rees-Zammit, Edwards, and 23-year-old centre Max Llewellyn show promise. But talent alone isn’t enough. Wales needs a long-term strategy, not just reactive selections. Without structural reform, this cycle of defeat will continue.
What’s the financial impact of this defeat on Welsh rugby?
While exact figures aren’t public, the Welsh Rugby Union estimates a £1.2 million loss in gate receipts due to lower attendance — fans stayed away knowing the squad was depleted. This adds pressure on a union already facing budget constraints, potentially limiting investment in grassroots programs and coaching infrastructure, which could hurt Wales’ competitiveness for years to come.