Wales cop back to back beltings as Kiwis crush

NEW Zealand have demolished Wales to get their Four Nations campaign back on track, the Kiwis defeated Wales 36-0 at Wembley Stadium.

The Kiwis were given their first opportunity in the opening minute courtesy of a Welsh mistake. Benji Marshall looked to have a try in the third minute but was denied by the Welsh defence.

New Zealand continued to mount pressure on the Welsh defence and Welsh defence and nobody could stop Jason Nightingale in the fifth minute when he grounded a Marshall grubber to score. Marshall missed the conversion, keeping the lead to four.

The Kiwis scored their second less than ten minutes later, with Kevin Locke strolling over the try line in the 13th minute after some clever footwork by Marshall. Marshall's conversion attempt was unsuccessful again.

Wales were given an opportunity to get on the board in the next passage of play, however some silly errors and disjointed attack saw their chances go begging.

New Zealand did not have the same problems when it came time to capitalise on their possession, with Sika Manu muscling his way through the tackles of four defenders to score in the 21^st minute. Marshall kicked his first successful conversion of the night to extend the lead to 14.

Manu was over for his second ten minutes later, after New Zealand spread the ball out wide again. Marshall's conversion was successful again to give the Kiwis a 20-point-lead.

Stephen Kearney's side added another try to their total just before half time, this time it was Broncos winger Gerard Beale who strolled over the try-back on the back of penalty against Wales. Marshall added the extras again giving the Kiwis a 26-point-lead going into the break.

The Welsh team came back from the break with a fresh approach as they lifted in attack and defence while the intensity from the New Zealanders dropped significantly.

Desperation defence and some courageous plays in attack, saw Wales keep the Kiwis out for most of the second half before the Kiwis piled on two late tries.

After holding the Kiwis out for the opening 20 minutes of the half, it was one mistake too many in the 62^nd minute when the Kiwis capitalised on a Welsh error to create a try for Gerard Beale to extend the New Zealand lead to 30.

The Kiwis were given an opportunity to add to their total moments late after Wales were trapped with the ball on the last tackle only 30 meters out from their own line. However, a knock on by Alex Glenn saw the chance go begging.

It was the Welsh who were butchering their opportunities in the 70^th minute, failing to score despite three repeat sets at the New Zealand try line.

A break by Thomas Leuluai from his own in the 75^th minute was enough to get the Kiwis over again, with Leuluai passing to Nathan Fien who dove over the tryline. Marshall kicked the conversion.

A mistake on the back for the tries handed the Welsh possession 30 out from the try line. However, once again Wales failed to capitalise and the score remained unchanged.

Match Details
Wales 0 were defeated by New Zealand 36
Four Nations - Four Nations Week 2 - Saturday November 5, 2011 11:00pm
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Referee: Matt Cecchin
Video Referee:
Touch Judges:
Crowd: 0
Halftime: Wales 0 New Zealand 26

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Benji Marshall (4 Conversions)
2 Points - Thomas Leuluai
1 Point - Ross Divorty

Wales (0)

New Zealand (36)
Tries: Kevin Locke, Nathan Fien, Sika Manu (2), Jason Nightingale, Gerard Beale (2)
Conversions: Benji Marshall (4/7)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Wembley Stadium, for the first of the double header this afternoon; Wales facing New Zealand. Both teams are out for the anthems.
We've had both anthems and New Zealand have done the haka, here we go!
1 min: Marshall has the ball on the tee and we're underway. No knock on, on first tackle this afternoon.
2 min: Wales made an early error trying to spread the ball. NZ almost barge over via Marshall but they retain possession, trapping Wales in goal.
3 min: New Zealand try to isolate the wingers with a sweeping play but it breaks down after a forward pass.
6 min: TRY
Kiwis keep the adventure going, Marshall grubbering through for Nightingale to dive over untouched. Marshall from wide out, misses.
New Zealand 4-0
7 min: NZ just building the pressure here. Marshall weights the kick perfectly to trap Jones in goal, for a second drop out.
9 min: Marshall just toying with the Welsh, grubbering through again and forcing another dropout.
10 min: New Zealand looking to the fringes again but it goes forward off Kevin Locke.
15 min: TRY
The pressure tolls on the Welsh. Leulaui passes to Marshall who draws the man, passing inside to Locke who just strolls through for the Kiwi's second try. Marshall hooks his second attempt.
New Zealand 8-0
16 min: Craig Kopzcak has been immense for Wales in their two games thus far. He charges down the last tackle kick, forcing a knock on from Blair.
16 min: We have a penalty.. to Wales! Leulaui holding down too long.
18 min: Wales try the power play with Frizell but he wasn't on the mark, so it's knocked on.
19 min: An unnecessary forward pass by Wales, gifts NZ possession. While the scrum is packing, Frizell goes off holding his wrist.
Possible try to Sika Manu but it looked like he just broke free.
22 min: TRY
It was all power from Manu, he was seemingly held by three Welsh defenders but breaks free, to score. Marshall puts it right over the black dot.
New Zealand 14-0
22 min: Another forward pass from NZ, they haven't looked too slick thus far.
24 min: Wales made some inroads in this set but a knock from Webster trying to plant a Briers kick ends that raid.
26 min: 4-0 penalty count to Wales, with the latest finding Jeremy Smith on report for attacking the thigh.
27 min: Just too big, the kick from Briers. Twenty metre restart for NZ.
33 min: TRY
The Kiwis spread it out wide ten out an Sika Manu dives over in the right corner. Benji nails the conversion from the sideline.
New Zealand 20-0
36 min: Kevin Locke almost gets away from the Welsh defense after fielding the ball 15 out from his own line, he makes it five meters short of halfway before being tackled.
38 min: The Kiwis receive their first penalty of the match and will look to sneak in another try before half time.
40 min: TRY
Gearad Beale scoots over for the Kiwis after some nice footwork and a clever pass from Alex Glenn. Marshall adds the extras.
New Zealand 26-0
41 min: The second half is underway. Let's see if Wales can mount a comeback.
43 min: Both sides get through their first sets of the second half without any trouble.
44 min: Great defensive set by Wales, they keep the Kiwis in their own forty and put pressure on Marshall as he gets the kick away. Danny Jones fields the ball on his own 20 and runs it back to 40 out from his own line.
46 min: The Kiwis get their second penalty of the match, exactly what the Welsh don't need.
47 min: New Zealand will get a goal line dropout after Fien puts up a cross field kick from 15 out, Manu is there to challenge for the ball and Elliot King is forced to ground the ball.
47 min: Wales concede another penalty.
48 min: Lewis Brown is pinned for a forward pass and Wales are off the hook.
51 min: Wales will get a piggyback up the field after Marshall concedes a penalty.
52 min: Lloyd White is pinned for a knock on only ten out just as his side is looking dangerous.
53 min: Jones spills the ball trying to diffuse a bomb 30 out from his own line.
54 min: Marshall is pinned for a forward pass and Wales are off the hook again.
58 min: Briers chips the ball a few meters short of halfway but it beats him over the sideline and the Kiwis will get a scrum 30 out.
59 min: The Wales defense holds strong.
60 min: Another Welsh error gives the Kiwis prime field position and they'll go on the attack 30 out.
62 min: TRY
Beale strolls over for his second after a beautiful pass from Thomas Leululiai. Marshall's sideline conversion is unsuccessful.
New Zealand 30-0
66 min: Wales are caught with the ball on the last on their 30 meter line and the Kiwis will go on the attack.
66 min: Alex Glenn loses the ball on the first and the Welsh breathe a sigh of relief.
68 min: Wales get a penalty and will get six tackles from 10 out.
68 min: Dudson loses the ball for Wales and an opportunity goes begging.
73 min: The Welsh defense is holding strong at the moment as Kiwis fail to come up with the goods.
76 min: TRY
Leuilai makes a break from his own half and makes it to the Welsh 20 before offloading to Nathan Fien who scores. Marshall adds the extras
New Zealand 36-0
77 min: Wales will get a scrum 40 out from the New Zealand line after an error by Beale.
79 min: Wales get a penalty from 15 meters out and will get another six tackles.
80 min: The ball goes to ground a Beale bounces on the loose ball as the full-time siren sounds.