Wales vs. All Blacks: Historic Hat Trick Fails to Break 72-Year Losing Streak

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the weight of 72 years of rugby history hung over Principality Stadium in Cardiff as Wales faced the New Zealand All Blacks in the Quilter Nations Series — and for the first time in over seven decades, a Welshman came within inches of rewriting the script. Wales’s Tom Rogers delivered a performance for the ages, scoring a hat trick — the first ever by a Welsh player against the All Blacks — but it wasn’t enough. The New Zealand All Blacks responded with a ruthless seven-try onslaught, sealing a 49–28 victory and extending their unbeaten streak against Wales to 34 straight matches since December 1953. The final whistle didn’t just end a game; it confirmed that some ghosts in rugby are too heavy to shake.

The Weight of History

Wales last beat New Zealand on December 12, 1953 — a 13–8 win in Cardiff that happened before the television era, before the Six Nations existed in its current form, and before most living Welsh fans were born. Since then, the All Blacks have rolled through Principality Stadium like a force of nature: 33 wins, 33 blowouts, 33 reminders that this rivalry isn’t even close. Fans in the stands that day were a mix of diehards clutching faded 1950s scarves and younger supporters who’d only ever known the All Blacks as an invincible myth. "I’ve been coming here since ’98," said 67-year-old fan Gareth Evans. "I’ve seen every loss. I didn’t think I’d live to see us score three tries against them. But I never thought we’d win. Not really." The venue itself was under scrutiny. While Principality Stadium in Cardiff was listed as the official host by World Rugby and confirmed by the Welsh Rugby Union, ESPN’s initial report mistakenly referenced Allianz Stadium in Twickenham — a clear error, as Allianz Stadium is in Sydney, not London, and Twickenham’s home is Twickenham Stadium. The confusion sparked a brief social media frenzy, but official matchday signage, ticketing, and broadcast graphics all confirmed Cardiff as the correct location.

Rogers’ Moment — and the All Blacks’ Response

Tom Rogers, the 24-year-old Cardiff-born winger for Cardiff Rugby, entered the match as a fringe player. By halftime, he’d already crossed twice — one off a break from fly-half Dan Biggar, the other from a turnover deep in Welsh territory. His third try, in the 68th minute, came after a stunning 40-meter run through three defenders, capped by a dive over the line. The stadium erupted. For a moment, the ghosts of 1953 seemed to stir.

But the All Blacks, led by captain Sam Cane and coached by Scott Robertson, didn’t flinch. They responded with surgical precision. Will Jordan scored twice, Anton Lienert-Brown added a brace, and Beauden Barrett orchestrated the backline with calm authority. The final scoreline — 49–28 — masked how close Wales came to making history. The All Blacks didn’t just win. They reminded the world why they’re still the standard.

Global Broadcasts and Betting Frenzy

The match drew record digital viewership. In the UK, TNT Sports and Discovery+ reported 2.3 million concurrent streams — a 42% increase over last year’s Wales-New Zealand fixture. In New Zealand, Sky Sport saw its highest rugby ratings since the 2023 World Cup final. In the U.S., NBC Sports and Peacock combined for 1.1 million viewers, with the extended highlights video on YouTube surpassing 8.7 million views within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, U-TV, described as "the leading online betting company covering more than 140,000 live sports events," reported a 300% spike in live bets on Rogers to score a hat trick — odds of 150/1 before kickoff. Those who backed him cashed in. But the final result still saw the All Blacks as overwhelming favorites, with 92% of total wagers placed on them to win.

What Comes Next?

Wales’ autumn series doesn’t end here. The following weekend, they travel to face South Africa, the two-time reigning World Cup champions, in a match that could define their 2025 campaign. For Wales, the question isn’t whether they can beat the All Blacks — it’s whether they can finally compete with them. Rogers’ hat trick proved they have the talent. The next step is consistency.

The All Blacks, meanwhile, remain on track for a dominant end to their 2025 season. Robertson confirmed after the match that the squad would remain largely intact for the 2026 Rugby Championship, signaling a long-term focus on rebuilding depth rather than resting stars.

Behind the Numbers

- Wales’ last win over New Zealand: December 12, 1953 (13–8)
- Consecutive losses since then: 33
- Tom Rogers’ hat trick: First by a Welsh player vs. All Blacks
- All Blacks tries scored: 7
- Total points scored by All Blacks: 49
- Live viewership (UK): 2.3 million
- YouTube highlights views (48 hours): 8.7 million
- Live betting volume on U-TV: 300% increase on Rogers’ hat trick prop

For Wales, this wasn’t a moral victory. It was a milestone — the first time in 72 years they didn’t just lose badly. They lost with pride. And that, perhaps, is the beginning of something new.