Wales beat New Zealand for first time since 1953
Wales secured a historic 35-28 victory over New Zealand in the Nations Championship, marking their first win against the All Blacks since 1953. Despite recent struggles in Welsh rugby, the team delivered a strong performance led by scrum-half Tomos Williams.
Why it matters
This represents a significant sporting upset and a potential turning point for the struggling Welsh national rugby program.
Cardiff, United Kingdom Wales edged New Zealand 35-28 in the Nations Championship in Cardiff on Saturday (November 14, 2026) to claim their first victory over the All Blacks since 1953. Scrum-half Tomos Williams scored one of five Welsh tries in a superb individual performance as the home side ended a 34-match losing run against the three-time Rugby World Cup winners. Wales's heroic defence held out the visitors in the final 25 minutes after the All Blacks had made it a seven-point game thanks to Peter Lakai's try. The victory is even more remarkable with Welsh rugby in dire straights after a poor run of results since the 2023 World Cup and a long line of off-field issues overshadowing the sport in the country.
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