Wales player ratings vs All Blacks: 2025 Autumn Internationals

Saturday, 22 November 2025 at 17:04

byHarry Tovey

Wales player ratings vs All Blacks. Steve Tandy's men showed plenty of promise but ultimately fell short against New Zealand in Cardiff.

Wales may have fallen to New Zealand, but there were plenty of bright spots in Cardiff. Tom Rogers made history as the first Welshman to score a hat-trick against the All Blacks, while Louis Rees-Zammit’s try showcased the raw pace and flair of the home backs.

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The team produced their highest points tally against New Zealand in the city, demonstrating spirit and attacking intent despite the scoreboard. Yellow cards to Gareth Thomas and Taine Plumtree highlighted moments of indiscipline that proved costly, but the hosts never stopped competing.

Though the All Blacks’ relentless attack ultimately carried them to victory, Wales can take heart from flashes of creativity, the hunger of their forwards, and the resilience shown against a side unbeaten here since 1953.

But it's the third time in the Welsh capital that Wales have conceded 50 points, this afternoon, and against Argentina and England in the Six Nations.

Scroll down for Wales player ratings vs All Blacks.

Wales: 26

Tries: T. Rogers (10', 33', 42'), Rees-Zammit (76')
Cons: D. Edwards (11', 34', 43')
Pens:

New Zealand: 52

Tries: Clarke (5',78'), Love (29'), Williams (37'), Ioane (51'), Reece (59', 70')
Cons: McKenzie (6', 30', 38', 52', 60', 71',79')
Pens: McKenzie (13')

Wales player ratings vs All Blacks

15. Blair Murray – 5

The fullback, who has not reached the heights of the Six Nations, played yet another quiet game this autumn. He didn’t see much of the ball, but was solid in defence and improved greatly under the high ball. But that was really it.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit – 6

It’s just great to see him back in a Welsh jersey, isn’t it? One of the more eye-catching things he did during the encounter was taking a high ball superbly, which led to his side levelling the scoreboard in the first half.

He was up for the battle with try scorer Clarke in his channel and defended well alongside Murray. Still, it was an uncharacteristic afternoon for large parts of the game, despite an excellent finish in the corner and a strong last five minutes.

13. Max Llewellyn – 5

In his last showing in the Autumn, he didn’t seem to be firing as well as in recent showings for club and country. But with Joe Hawkins at 12, he seemed to work a lot better in both attack and defence, offering more. He even had a spell on the wing during the encounter, due to Gareth Thomas’ yellow card.

12. Joe Hawkins – 7

The Scarlets player who has been playing his first game at inside centre for Wales since 2023, after replacing Ben Thomas, who’s had a disappointing opening to his autumn.

Some brilliant moments throughout the contest, especially when looking for gaps behind the All Blacks’ defence. Utilised continuously well in attack, and alongside Llewellyn, was a decent centre partnership, an area where Wales has been struggling.

So, has Wales finally solved their inside centre problem?

11. Tom Rogers – 7

After being dropped last week, the 26-year-old marked his return by being Wales’ leading finisher. He crossed twice in the first half, after his backline spread the ball to the outside, punishing a very poor defending display by the All Blacks.

He later scored in the second half; perhaps the winger was playing with a point to prove, with all the limelight being on Rees-Zammit. Scoring three tries didn’t warrant him playing the full 80 minutes in this case, as he was replaced by Nick Tompkins shortly before the hour mark.

10. Dan Edwards – 6

One of the standouts in the Autumn so far, the 22-year-old has taken to his new role as Wales’ number one at outside half very well. Orchestrated Wales’ heroic attack well, and made some great kicks into space, with a lucky kick into the 22 at the end of the first quarter.

9. Tomos Williams – 6.5

Since returning, the scrum-half has been immense for Wales. Worked incredibly well, kept Wales’ tempo in attack up expertly. Sharp in defence, and will be a big miss as he will be unavailable for the South Africa clash next week.

1. Rhys Carre – 3

It’s been an underwhelming three games for the Saracens player, but the looshead prop could’ve scored after 20 minutes from close range, and was penalised for not releasing.

He then missed a tackle on Ruben Love, which the fullback punished by racing over the whitewash. No shock that he was replaced by Gareth Thomas early in the second half.

2. Dewi Lake – 5

After skippering his side back to winning ways at Principality Stadium, he led well and made some noticeable carries with the odd one advancing over the gainline. Still question marks over his arrows at lineout time, but still, he was miles ahead of his counterparts in the front row.

3. Keiron Assiratti – 3.5

The 28-year-old spoke after the Captain’s Run on Friday afternoon about never having faced the All Blacks before and about the players' belief.

He scrummaged well but was unable to stop Tamaiti Williams' powerful run, with him and Carre unable to stop the looshead. He was replaced by Archie Griffin after 52 minutes.

4. Dafydd Jenkins – 5

One of the positives from this Autumn Internationals is the way that the Cardiff Rugby player has performed. He continued that form into this encounter, with several crucial tackles on the powerful Wallace Sititi, and was not shying away from standing up to the visitors.

His passion was there, and for the second week in a row, he was Wales’ best player.

5. Adam Beard – 4

Deaves made his hard-earned international debut, and it was a hard-fought first appearance for the Pontyclun man. His work rate was superb; the hunger for involvement was so clear to see. In the first half alone, the 24-year-old made 11 tackles, the most of any of the Welsh players.

6. Alex Mann – 8

Supposedly, the 25-year-old was meant to be on the bench, but with Aaron Wainwright out due to a hip injury, he started for the first time since playing South Africa 2024. That day, he also wore the eight jersey.

The number eight was a little too eager in the opening exchanges, as he was penalised for being offside, which was the catalyst for the making of the All Blacks’ first try. And was sent off for a bunker review late in the contest.