New Zealand extended their crushing rugby dominance of Wales with a hard-fought 19-12 win here on Saturday to stretch their winning streak to 21 games dating back 56 years.

The All Blacks bade their time in a match where defence ruled to score 10 points in a purple patch in the second-half when they deprived Wales of any real possession or territory.

Man-of-the-match Dan Carter masterminded the All Blacks in both defence and attack, kicking four penalties and a conversion to hooker Andrew Hore's sole try of the game, with Stephen Jones knocking over four penalties for the home side.

The victory means that in 104 years of fixtures, New Zealand have now won 22 of the 25 meetings, the last Wales win in coming in 1953.

Wales coach Warren Gatland believes that crucial decisions went against his team, particularly late in the game when Carter brought down replacement scrum-half Martin Roberts with a high tackle.

"The frustrating thing from our point of view was not getting some 50-50 calls," said Gatland.

"We're not asking for any favours, you just want some calls to go your way.

"It's trying to change referees' opinions about not wanting to referee an upset - referees don't want to be involved in upsets.

"We've got to keep playing positive rugby and win them over, so you feel like you are getting somewhere."

The All Blacks opened the match with an aerial bombardment of winger Leigh Halfpenny and James Hook, in at full-back for the injured Lee Byrne.

Halfpenny was penalised for holding on after scrambling to retrieve a clever Carter chip and the All Black playmaker made no mistake with an easy kick for the first points of the match.

Jones pulled Wales level after Kiwi captain Richie McCaw was adjudged to have played the ball on the floor.

But Carter restored the visitors' lead after the Welsh infringed during some desperate defence during which Brendan Leonard was denied a try by the video referee.

Neemia Tialata failed to roll away from the tackle and Jones brought parity to the scores with a simple penalty.

Carter handed the All Blacks the lead after just three minutes of the second-half when veteran flanker Martyn Williams played the ball as the Kiwis pressed the Welsh line.

With both sides running the ball, and Hook in particular fielding all kicks with aplomb, it was the Welsh defence which buckled, letting Hore burrow in for a try in the corner which Carter converted for a 16-6 lead.

The visitors' tails were suddenly up, Brad Thorn rumbling 30 metres upfield to set up an attacking position the Kiwis almost capitalised on, Conrad Smith held up over the line by Shane Williams after a slick interchange of passes in midfield.

Wales were struggling to get out their own half, let alone get their hands on the ball, and Carter added a fourth penalty in the 65th minute when Andy Powell infringed on the floor.

Jones hit straight back after McCaw was penalised for 19-9 as Wales finally managed to break out of their own half.

But it was that man Carter again who was on hand to produce a covering, albeit high, try-saving tackle on Martin Roberts after Shane Williams had stepped away from his marker.

Jones claimed a fourth penalty from out wide with five minutes to play to set up a nail-biting finish.

To the delight of the 74,330-capacity crowd, Alun-Wyn Jones intercepted a sloppy Jimmy Cowan pass and accelerated away to the All Blacks 22-metre line.

But the excellent Zac Guildford, making his debut on the wing, tracked back and knocked down the Welsh lock's effort to offload.

Wales then squandered a line-out on the All Black five-metre line and were turned over in midfield by the imcomparable midfield pairing of Ma'a Nonu and Smith to ensure New Zealand got their European tour off to a perfect start.

AFP

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