Wales captain Dewi Lake hails historic win over New Zealand
Wales defeated New Zealand for the first time in 73 years, with captain Dewi Lake describing the victory as an "amazing feeling" and All Blacks captain Beauden Barrett praising Wales' defence.
Wales secured a historic victory over New Zealand, ending a 73-year winless streak, as captain Dewi Lake praised his teammates for their work and resilience. Lake said the win was "nothing this group doesn’t deserve for the work they put in for the last year, year and a half" and described the feeling of the final minutes as "amazing".
All Blacks captain Beauden Barrett, playing his first match as New Zealand skipper, acknowledged Wales' defensive strength, saying it "felt like a brick wall at times" and commended the crowd support at the Principality Stadium. New Zealand coach Dave Rennie also gave credit to Wales, noting their clinical execution and sustained defensive pressure.
The match, played before a partially empty stadium, saw Wales maintain belief in their ability to compete at the highest level, according to Lake, who emphasized the hard work of players, coaches and staff throughout the season.