Rugby-New Zealand maintain stranglehold on Wales with 19-12 win

CARDIFF, Nov 7 (Reuters) - New Zealand extended their domination of Wales with a 19-12 victory at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday to make it 21 successive victories against them going back to 1953.

There was little between the teams in a cagey first half as two penalties apiece for Dan Carter and Stephen Jones saw them reach halftime level at 6-6.

New Zealand took command after the break and, after another penalty for Carter, they pulled clear when hooker Andrew Hore charged over for the only try of the game.

The conversion and a further penalty for Carter took New Zealand 19-6 ahead and left the flyhalf one point behind Andrew Mehrtens (967) as the All Blacks' all-time leading scorer.

Two more Jones penalties brought Wales back within seven but, despite a late flurry, New Zealand held on. (Editing by Sonia Oxley; To comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)