New Zealand’s All Blacks earned a clean sweep of victories over Wales with a 46-6 victory in the third Test at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
The All Blacks outscored Wales by six tries to none with a brace of tries being scored by Beauden Barrett.
Barrett was on the replacements bench for the first two tests but came into the starting line up for the third Test after Aaron Cruden was injured last week.
Beauden Barrett converted all six of the All Blacks tries and with his two tries he scored 22 points for New Zealand who pounded Wales with pace and intensity in a masterful performance.
Barrett, in a rare promotion from his regular super-sub role to starting fly-half. commanded a relentless attacking game by the All Blacks as he seamlessly took over from the injured Aaron Cruden.
Wales started strongly, desperate to salvage something from a tough series against the world champions, but were effectively on the ropes after 10 minutes.
By half-time the All Blacks were ahead 18-6 and they piled on a further 28 points after the break.
Barrett finished with a personal total of 26 points from two tries, five conversions and two penalties.
Ben Smith, George Moala, Dane Coles. Israel Dagg also scored for the All Blacks.
Wales were unable to cross the All Blacks line with their points courtesy of two Dan Biggar penalties.
With the All Blacks convincingly winning the first two Tests, coach Steve Hansen used the dead rubber to tinker with combinations in what proved to be a smooth transition.
It should have benefited Wales who were surprised in particular at the naming of Moala at centre but instead Moala and debutants Elliot Dixon and replacement Liam Squire played like seasoned veterans.
The overwhelming scoreline extended New Zealand’s domination over Wales to 29 consecutive Tests since they last lost 63 years ago, and stretched New Zealand’s unbeaten run against all sides on home soil to 41 matches.
Wales controlled the game at the start. They sent a high kick to Julian Savea, which the recalled wing dropped, drove over the rucks to claim turnovers and had first points on the board with a Biggar penalty.
But when the All Blacks settled the momentum shifted and the world champions began to camp for increasingly long periods in Welsh territory.
A Barret penalty levelled the score, and although Wales immediately regained the lead with a Biggar penalty from the kick off in the 16th minute it would be the last time they would score.
The All Blacks put away their kick-chase game and used Ben Smith and Israel Dagg to attack at pace down the right flank making life a nightmare for Wales wing Hallam Amos.
Smith scored the first try in a marginal call over whether he touched the ball down before his leg slid over the sideline.
Moala, recalled after nearly a year in the wilderness for his second Test, bagged the second try which was again decided by television replays after Liam Williams appeared to rip the ball away before it hit the ground.
Wales turned down the chance of a penalty just on half-time and opted for a five-metre scrum but then lost the ball when they tried to attack the line.
Barrett scored his two tries early in the second half and was instrumental in igniting the attack which led to Dane Coles try, with Dagg running the length of the field to score his try in the last movement of the game.
The All Black players return to Super Rugby next week while the Welsh return home for some much needed rest after a long season that included the Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks next match is on August 20 in the Rugby Championship against Australia.
Final Score New Zealand 46 (18) Wales 6 (6)
Scorers
New Zealand
Tries – B.Smith, G.Moala, B.Barrett 2, D.Coles, I.Dagg
Pen – B.Barrett
Con – B.Barrett 6
Drop –
Cards – S.Cane (yellow 45th min)
Wales
Tries –
Pen – D.Biggar 2
Con –
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant Ref 1:Jaco Peyper (South Africa),
Assistant Ref 2:Andrew Lees (Australia)
TMO : George Ayoub (Australia)
Teams
New Zealand
1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Charlie Faumuina , 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Elliot Dixon 7. Sam Cane , 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett , 11. Julian Savea , 12. Ryan Crotty , 13. George Moala 14. Ben Smith, 15. Israel Dagg
Replacements : 16. Codie Taylor , 17. Wyatt Crockett , 18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 19. Luke Romano , 20. Liam Squire, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow , 22. Lima Sopoaga , 23. Waisake Naholo
Wales
Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), , Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Rob Evans (Scarlets)
Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Scott Williams (Scarlets).
