Dan Carter was once again the Welsh scourge, putting in a man-of-the-match performance and kicking 14 of the Kiwis' 19 points, but Welsh fans will go home satisfied, if disappointed, after their side came within a few metres of snatching a well-deserved draw.
Wales were upbeat about their chances of toppling a ‘vulnerable’ All Black team leading into the game, but they will be licking their wounds after this game. And despite coming so close to breaking the All Black curse, it is now 22 games without a win against their old enemies.
The closed roof at the Millennium Stadium created a cauldron atmosphere and the bitter autumn evening in Cardiff was warmed up when the New Zealand Hakka was drowned out by the Welsh crowd. Perhaps tellingly, Wales decided not to stare NZ down this time around.
Both sides were without some of their biggest names - Wales missing the Lions trio of Adam Jones, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne while the All Blacks were without prop Tony Woodcock and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, both suspended for ill discipline in New Zealand's 32-19 victory over Australia last weekend.
Wales were fastest out of the blocks, Stephen Jones crunching Richie McCaw in the first tackle. New Zealand were rattled and only the referee's whistle saved them after they were left scrambling by a nervy scoop back by scrum-half Brendon Leonard.
Welsh wing Leigh Halfpenny had the first chance to score New Zealand went off their feet at a ruck 40 metres out, but his weak penalty went wide to the right.
Carter, who won his high profile battle with a calf injury to take the field, capitalised minutes later - slotting home from in front of the posts after Halfpenny had held onto the ball on the floor. First blood to New Zealand.
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, notorious for flirting with the rules at the breakdowns, was punished for handling on the floor soon after. The Welsh camp were hoping South African referee Craig Joubert would harness McCaw's bending of the rules on the ground, and so it seemed. Stephen Jones slotted the resultant penalty.
Twenty minutes in, and the first real signs of New Zealand intent. A Carter cross-kick and grubber set Halfpenny scrambling in defence and only the TV match official saved Wales after Halfpenny was forced over his own goal line by Brendon Leonard. Still, New Zealand settled for three points to take the lead again.
The visitors began to assert some authority midway into the half but Welsh new boys Paul James and Luke Charteris were more than holding their own in the scrum and line-out respectively.
And the hosts drew level in the 35th minute when a promising attack saw All Black centre Conrad Smith penalised for not rolling away on the floor. Jones converted the penalty for 6-6 at half-time.
New Zealand had clearly been given a rocket at the break and started the second half quicker. Two minutes in Carter kicked New Zealand ahead after Wales deliberately knocked on.
Carter, Nonu and Smith sought gaps on the inside shoulders of the Welsh back line, but any ground gained was immediately yielded by yet more indiscipline on the ground. Craig Joubert had definitely come to blow his whistle.
But soon after came the moment that broke the shackles. An All Black attack broke out of nothing down the left - some neat tight exchanges, created the space and veteran hooker Andrew Hore bundled over. Carter's successful conversion heaped on the misery for 16-6 and the stadium - and the Welsh team - were left deflated.
Just two minutes later a fine back move straight off the New Zealand training paddock left the Welsh backs chasing shadows as Conrad Smith slide for the line. But again TMO Graham Hughes came to Wales' rescue after some heroic defensive work from Shane Williams.
Mr Hughes would have a busy afternoon, as from the resultant scrum he again ruled no-try as number eight Jerome Kaino drove up to the line. New Zealand were camped on the Welsh try line. Wales held firm, but could not help giving away another penalty and Carter made no mistake.
Stephen Jones gave Wales a glimpse of hope immediately after, slotting a penalty impressively from almost 50 metres.
Shane Williams enlivened the crowd with a scintillating break with ten minutes left. He put replacement scrum-half Martyn Roberts in, only for him to be taken out by what looked a high tackle from Carter, not seen by referee Joubert. Wales huffed and puffed at the resultant five-metre scrums but had only a Jones penalty to show for it - their late pressure inside the 22 was going without reward.
But by now the crowd were on their feet, with the decibels rising still further as Alun-Wyn Jones broke 60 metres after an interception. He had a clear view of the line but not the pace and his loose pass went to ground. One more chance came Wales' way but a wasted line-out ended their hopes of a famous comeback and extended the hoodoo.
Wales were upbeat about their chances of toppling a ‘vulnerable’ All Black team leading into the game, but they will be licking their wounds after this game. And despite coming so close to breaking the All Black curse, it is now 22 games without a win against their old enemies.
The closed roof at the Millennium Stadium created a cauldron atmosphere and the bitter autumn evening in Cardiff was warmed up when the New Zealand Hakka was drowned out by the Welsh crowd. Perhaps tellingly, Wales decided not to stare NZ down this time around.
Both sides were without some of their biggest names - Wales missing the Lions trio of Adam Jones, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne while the All Blacks were without prop Tony Woodcock and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, both suspended for ill discipline in New Zealand's 32-19 victory over Australia last weekend.
Wales were fastest out of the blocks, Stephen Jones crunching Richie McCaw in the first tackle. New Zealand were rattled and only the referee's whistle saved them after they were left scrambling by a nervy scoop back by scrum-half Brendon Leonard.
Welsh wing Leigh Halfpenny had the first chance to score New Zealand went off their feet at a ruck 40 metres out, but his weak penalty went wide to the right.
Carter, who won his high profile battle with a calf injury to take the field, capitalised minutes later - slotting home from in front of the posts after Halfpenny had held onto the ball on the floor. First blood to New Zealand.
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, notorious for flirting with the rules at the breakdowns, was punished for handling on the floor soon after. The Welsh camp were hoping South African referee Craig Joubert would harness McCaw's bending of the rules on the ground, and so it seemed. Stephen Jones slotted the resultant penalty.
Twenty minutes in, and the first real signs of New Zealand intent. A Carter cross-kick and grubber set Halfpenny scrambling in defence and only the TV match official saved Wales after Halfpenny was forced over his own goal line by Brendon Leonard. Still, New Zealand settled for three points to take the lead again.
The visitors began to assert some authority midway into the half but Welsh new boys Paul James and Luke Charteris were more than holding their own in the scrum and line-out respectively.
And the hosts drew level in the 35th minute when a promising attack saw All Black centre Conrad Smith penalised for not rolling away on the floor. Jones converted the penalty for 6-6 at half-time.
New Zealand had clearly been given a rocket at the break and started the second half quicker. Two minutes in Carter kicked New Zealand ahead after Wales deliberately knocked on.
Carter, Nonu and Smith sought gaps on the inside shoulders of the Welsh back line, but any ground gained was immediately yielded by yet more indiscipline on the ground. Craig Joubert had definitely come to blow his whistle.
But soon after came the moment that broke the shackles. An All Black attack broke out of nothing down the left - some neat tight exchanges, created the space and veteran hooker Andrew Hore bundled over. Carter's successful conversion heaped on the misery for 16-6 and the stadium - and the Welsh team - were left deflated.
Just two minutes later a fine back move straight off the New Zealand training paddock left the Welsh backs chasing shadows as Conrad Smith slide for the line. But again TMO Graham Hughes came to Wales' rescue after some heroic defensive work from Shane Williams.
Mr Hughes would have a busy afternoon, as from the resultant scrum he again ruled no-try as number eight Jerome Kaino drove up to the line. New Zealand were camped on the Welsh try line. Wales held firm, but could not help giving away another penalty and Carter made no mistake.
Stephen Jones gave Wales a glimpse of hope immediately after, slotting a penalty impressively from almost 50 metres.
Shane Williams enlivened the crowd with a scintillating break with ten minutes left. He put replacement scrum-half Martyn Roberts in, only for him to be taken out by what looked a high tackle from Carter, not seen by referee Joubert. Wales huffed and puffed at the resultant five-metre scrums but had only a Jones penalty to show for it - their late pressure inside the 22 was going without reward.
But by now the crowd were on their feet, with the decibels rising still further as Alun-Wyn Jones broke 60 metres after an interception. He had a clear view of the line but not the pace and his loose pass went to ground. One more chance came Wales' way but a wasted line-out ended their hopes of a famous comeback and extended the hoodoo.
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