“I’m really chuffed”- Tom Rogers reacts to hat-trick against All Blacks

Sunday, 23 November 2025 at 10:35

byHarry Tovey

After being dropped from the match day 23 for the dramatic Test against Japan last weekend, Tom Rogers marked his return with a hat-trick against New Zealand.

This is all despite Steve Tandy’s side conceding over 50 points for the third time this year. The others were against Argentina at the start of the autumn and England in the Six Nations.

But Rogers, who came in for banned Josh Adams, reacted well and scored three tries for the first time as a professional.

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“I’ve always been a fighter, and I wanted to prove to Tandy that I deserved a spot in the team,” began Rogers.

“It was class and I’m really chuffed. It hasn’t really sunk in because when as a kid it’s your dream to play for Wales against the All Blacks.”

In fact, he is the first Welsh player to score a hat-trick against New Zealand, with the 26-year-old crossing twice in the first half and once more in the final 40 minutes.

Louis Rees-Zammit was Wales’ other try scorer late in the contest, but it proved insufficient as the All Blacks ended their 2025 with a 52-26 triumph.

“From the Argentina and Japan games, it was a massive improvement,” said Rogers.

“We attacked well, it’s just that the All Blacks were class in the second half.

“We wanted to put our game on the pitch and I think we did that in the first hour.”

Wales face the daunting task of the World Champions next week at Principality Stadium, who’ll head to the Welsh capital after a 24-13 victory against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday evening.

“To face South Africa, one of the best teams in the world, is a class opportunity, and the boys are looking forward to it.

“We can definitely take confidence from the New Zealand game.”