Beauden Barrett received the man of the match award at the Principality Stadium, on the day he received his 100th cap for the All Blacks.
Barrett scored twice and had a hand in several other tries for New Zealand as they defeated Wales 54-16 in their first trip to Europe since 2018.
Barrett opened the scoring for the All Blacks after just three minutes with an interception and scored his second right at the death in similar fashion to take the score past 50.
Barrett’s brace of interceptions took him to 39 tries in 100 matches, as New Zealand turned on the style against an injury ravaged Wales side, who lost their captain Alun Wyn Jones, making a record-breaking 149th appearance for his country, to a shoulder injury midway through the first half.
Barrett’s 100th cap comes nine years after his debut, and he revealed he had been feeling the pressure that came with the milestone during the week.
He said: “I’m somewhat relieved it’s over, it’s been a very tense week because of all the support that’s been pouring in and I’m very grateful for all of that and what a place to do it, there’s nothing like playing here in front of a packed stadium.
“I’ve spent a bit of time reminiscing this week and tried not to overdo it because we had a job at hand tonight and I just want to focus on playing well so I think tonight I’ll get around and enjoy my boys’ company and thank all those people who have helped me along the journey.”
While the scoreline suggests the All Blacks eased to victory, Barrett made it clear that was by no means the case.
He added: “We always had to work for it, because this is a very good Welsh side and a very fit Welsh side, and we knew that it would go to the 80th minute and we had to work hard and I’m just proud of our boys the way we turned up and the big boys fronted up and made it a bit easier for me.
“I guess we showed various ways we can play, we can play up tempo, but when the rain started to fall, we adapted well, especially with a yellow card.”
