New Zealand maintain stranglehold on Wales

By John Mehaffey

CARDIFF (Reuters) - New Zealand repelled a frenzied late challenge at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday to defeat Wales 19-12 and extinguish the home side's hopes of a first victory over the All Blacks since 1953.

In the final 10 minutes, with New Zealand leading 19-6, man-of-the-match Dan Carter pulled down replacement scrumhalf Martin Roberts with a tackle the crowd thought was clearly too high following a sizzling break by Shane Williams.

Alun Wyn Jones then galloped into empty territory after intercepting a pass from Jimmy Cowan but with the defence racing back desperately his attempted pass was knocked to the ground.

Two late penalties by Stephen Jones narrowed the gap but the final score was a fair reflection of the match although Wales coach Warren Gatland was unhappy that flyhalf Carter escaped punishment for his high tackle on Roberts.

"It was a hard, high tackle and a swinging arm. It should have been three points and a yellow card," he told a news conference.

Assistant coach Shaun Edwards added: "They should have been playing with 14 players."

CONSTANT THREAT

Carter, showing no sign of the bruised calf muscle which prevented him training this week, drilled the ball persistently at the Welsh back three, sapping the energy of the home side during a dour first half.