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Wales break TWO world records in extraordinary win over All Blacks

Wales Rugby News
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Wales didn't just end 73 years of hurt against the All Blacks. They tackled their way into the record books while they were at it.
Steve Tandy's side stunned New Zealand 35-28 in Cardiff, finally ending a miserable run of 34 consecutive defeats against the rugby giants.
But the scoreline only tells half the story.
Wales were credited with a frankly ridiculous 346 tackles, a figure rugby analyst Squidge Rugby claims is the highest ever recorded by a team in Test rugby.
That's not a defensive shift. That's a full afternoon of putting your body through a washing machine.
And one Welshman took things to another level.
Second-row Dafydd Jenkins somehow racked up 38 tackles, reportedly equalling the individual Test rugby world record.
As if ending seven decades of All Blacks misery wasn't enough, Wales also walked away as rugby's unofficial lineal world champions.
Not bad for an afternoon's work.
Here are the remarkable numbers behind a day Welsh rugby fans won't forget in a hurry.

Wales make 346 tackles in extraordinary defensive display

New Zealand dominated possession, enjoying around 65% of the ball.
But Wales simply refused to buckle.
The All Blacks launched wave after wave of attacks, only to find a red wall waiting for them.
Wales were credited with 346 tackles by several statistics providers, although the official All Blacks report recorded 332.
Either figure represents an extraordinary defensive effort.
Rugby analyst Squidge Rugby claimed the higher total was a new world record.
Writing on X, he said:
Wales today broke the world record today for most tackles by a team in test rugby.
He added that Jenkins had equalled the individual record before signing off with two words:
"Bloody hell."
The previous team record has not yet been independently verified, but the scale of Wales' defensive performance is beyond doubt.

Dafydd Jenkins equals historic tackle record

Jenkins was at the heart of Wales' remarkable resistance.
The Exeter Chiefs second-row was credited with 38 tackles by some statistics providers.
That figure reportedly matches the famous performance of France legend Thierry Dusautoir against New Zealand at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Other providers recorded a slightly lower total, meaning the individual record claim remains subject to statistical confirmation.
Jenkins was among the standout performers in Wales' historic victory, with his display earning praise in RUCK's Wales rugby coverage.
But he wasn't alone.
Jac Morgan was credited with 31 tackles and four turnovers, while James Botham also produced a huge defensive shift.
Botham's performance added another chapter to his family's remarkable sporting history.
Together, they helped Wales withstand relentless New Zealand pressure.

Wales become unofficial world champions

There was another extraordinary twist to Wales' historic victory.
By defeating New Zealand, Tandy's side became holders of the Raeburn Shield, rugby union's unofficial lineal world title.
The concept works much like boxing.
The title passes from one nation to another whenever the reigning holder loses a Test match.
New Zealand entered the Cardiff clash as holders, meaning Wales claimed the title with their dramatic victory.
It doesn't make Wales Rugby World Cup champions, but it does give them an unusual piece of rugby history.
And after years of disappointment, Welsh supporters will happily take it.

Five tries against the All Blacks for the first time

Wales weren't just heroic in defence.
They also produced a remarkable attacking performance.
For the first time in their Test history, Wales scored five tries against New Zealand.
Tomos Williams and captain Dewi Lake crossed early before Archie Griffin extended the lead.
Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit added further tries after the break.
The All Blacks still threatened to snatch victory, but Wales repeatedly found a way to survive.
Three times New Zealand crossed the try-line late in the contest, only to be held up.
Those moments summed up the determination running through the Welsh side.
James Botham was named Player of the Match, earning 9/10 in RUCK's Wales player ratings against the All Blacks.
The flanker also added another chapter to his family's remarkable sporting story, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham.

73 years of hurt finally over

The last time Wales defeated New Zealand was in 1953.
Since then, generations of Welsh players had tried and failed to repeat the feat.
Saturday's victory finally brought that extraordinary wait to an end.
It also left former All Blacks centre Frank Bunce red-faced after he admitted he couldn't name a single Wales playerbefore kick-off.
Bunce had backed New Zealand to win comfortably.
Instead, Wales produced one of the greatest shocks in their rugby history.
Five tries. Hundreds of tackles. Two remarkable record claims. And an unofficial world title.
After 73 years, Wales finally had their day against the All Blacks.
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