Wales beat the All Blacks for the first time since 1953 in nail-biting thriller

In a match that tore up every expectation, the hosts crossed the try line five times against New Zealand, a feat no Welsh side had ever previously managed.

On three separate occasions during the contest, Wales established 14-point advantages, and while the All Blacks repeatedly fought back, a courageous rearguard effort ultimately secured what many would have considered an impossible outcome.

The match ignited within 80 seconds when Louis Rees-Zammit’s first involvement saw him chip the ball over the visiting defence, with Tomos Williams winning the foot race to touch down and Sam Costelow adding the extras.

Just four minutes later, Dewi Lake powered over at close quarters to double the lead to 14-0 after another successful Costelow conversion.

Cortez Ratima pulled one back for the All Blacks in the 10th minute, finishing off a move built from strong lineout ball, with Richie Mo’unga converting.

Archie Griffin then barged over from a lineout on 24 minutes to re-establish a two-score cushion, before Wallace Sititi and Fehi Fineanganofo both crossed for New Zealand, Mo’unga converting each, to haul the visitors level at 21-21 by the interval.

Eddie James restored Wales’ advantage just four minutes into the second half, with his Scarlets teammate Costelow slotting the conversion to maintain his flawless record from the tee.

Rees-Zammit then waltzed over unchallenged to push the hosts 14 points clear once more, Costelow again splitting the uprights to make it seven from seven with the boot.

Peter Lakai’s try on 53 minutes, duly converted by Mo’unga, ensured New Zealand would not go quietly, trimming the deficit to seven points and guaranteeing a nerve-shredding final quarter.

Costelow’s perfect afternoon with the boot proved decisive in the final reckoning, his seven successful conversions from seven attempts contributing to a 35-28 scoreline that will be etched into Welsh rugby folklore.

The closing stages saw New Zealand mount a sustained assault on the Welsh line, but the home defence refused to buckle, holding the All Blacks up over the try line on three separate occasions in a breathtaking rearguard action.

The 55,152 supporters packed inside the Principality Stadium were left in disbelief at what they had witnessed, with tearful players embracing amid scenes of unbridled joy at the final whistle.

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie’s decision to make eight alterations from the team that had comfortably dispatched Scotland in their previous Nations Championship fixture proved a costly miscalculation.

His heavily rotated selection struggled to find any rhythm, and Wales punished them ruthlessly in a result that sent an entire nation into ecstasy.