Wales vs New Zealand: 73 years, 34 defeats and the day Cardiff beat the All Blacks

Wales last beat New Zealand on 19 December 1953. No Wales player who has pulled on the red shirt since has done it again.

When did Wales last beat New Zealand? The answer has become one of the most repeated lines in the sport, and it will be heard again before Saturday’s Nations Championship Test at the Principality Stadium. The All Blacks have won the 34 meetings since, and 35 of the 38 overall.

December 1953: the last time

The 1953 All Blacks arrived in Cardiff already wounded. A month earlier, the city’s club side had beaten them 8-3, and five of that Cardiff back division were in the Wales team, led by the same captain, Bleddyn Williams.

It was not a comfortable afternoon. Wales trailed 8-5 with a quarter of an hour left, with wing Gareth Griffiths playing on despite a dislocated shoulder and Williams carrying a thigh injury.

Then came the turn. Sid Judd had already scored, and Ken Jones went over for the decisive try. Gwyn Rowlands, Judd’s Cardiff clubmate, kicked two conversions and a penalty. It finished 13-8 in front of 56,000 at Cardiff Arms Park, according to Wales Online.

Nobody in Welsh rugby imagined it would be the last win for more than seven decades.

1905 and 1935: the other two

Wales’ first win was the most famous match of its era. In December 1905 they beat Dave Gallaher’s Original All Blacks 3-0 at Cardiff Arms Park, the only defeat of a 35-match tour. New Zealanders still argue that Bob Deans grounded the ball for an equalising try.

Thirty years later Wales did it again, 13-12, in front of 50,000 in Cardiff. Geoffrey Rees-Jones, an Oxford University wing, scored his second try six minutes from time after Wilf Wooller kicked ahead.

The near misses

Since 1953 Wales have come close only a handful of times. They lost 19-16 in Cardiff in 1972, and 13-12 at the Arms Park in 1978 in a game still remembered in Wales for a controversial late penalty.

The closest of the modern era came in November 2004, when New Zealand held on to win 26-25 at the Millennium Stadium. Far more often, the margins have been brutal. In 1988 Wales lost the two Tests of their New Zealand tour 52-3 and 54-9.

Why Saturday is different, or isn’t

This Wales side arrive with a little momentum after beating Japan 28-21 last weekend. New Zealand have their own fitness questions, with Richie Mo’unga targeting a return from a calf injury.

History says the All Blacks win. Every Wales team since 1953 has heard that, and every one has hoped to be the side that changed it.

How to watch

Wales vs New Zealand kicks off at 2.10pm on Saturday 14 November and is live on ITV. Our Wales vs New Zealand TV guide has everything you need.

When did Wales last beat New Zealand: FAQs

When did Wales last beat New Zealand? On 19 December 1953, 13-8 at Cardiff Arms Park.

How many times have Wales beaten New Zealand? Three times in 38 meetings: 1905, 1935 and 1953.

Who scored for Wales in 1953? Sid Judd and Ken Jones scored tries, and Gwyn Rowlands kicked two conversions and a penalty.

What was the closest Wales have come since? A 26-25 defeat at the Millennium Stadium in November 2004.