The All Blacks are set to face Wales in Cardiff for the final test of their 2025 season, marking a continuation of their Northern Tour following the disappointment of their Grand Slam ambition. With Wales currently struggling at 12th in the World Rugby rankings, they will look to find form against the formidable All Blacks, a team they have not defeated since 1953. This longstanding rivalry sees the All Blacks dominating their meetings, having won 34 out of their 37 encounters, with Wales only managing three victories and none since the coronation year of Queen Elizabeth II.
In their past ten matchups, Wales has failed to come within ten points of the All Blacks, showcasing a significant competitive gap with the last meeting resulting in a convincing 55-23 victory for New Zealand in 2022. That match featured standout performances, including double tries from Codie Taylor, Jordie Barrett, and Aaron Smith.
The All Blacks are fielding a strong lineup, with Scott Barrett captaining the side alongside notable players such as Damian McKenzie and Rieko Ioane. Meanwhile, Wales will be captained by Dewi Lake, featuring players like Louis Rees-Zammit and Tomos Williams.
Remarkably, this match will be officiated by Hollie Davidson, marking her as the first female referee to oversee an All Blacks test. Davidson, who has garnered acclaim for her officiating skills, previously refereed the Women’s Rugby World Cup final and was named World Rugby’s referee of the year.
As both teams prepare for this encounter, Wales seeks to change their fortunes, while the All Blacks aim to assert their dominance once again. The game is expected to be closely watched, streamed live on various platforms, and will provide significant entertainment for rugby fans around the world.