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The day Wales thought might never come

The day Wales thought might never come

Wales end a 73-year hoodoo against New Zealand with a win hailed as their greatest of all time.

That is how former Wales captain Sam Warburton described the monumental result against New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday.

At the time of the kick-off, the All Blacks were effectively the top ranked side in the world following South Africa's loss to France to previous night.

So no-one gave Welsh a hope - even Warburton - with some bookmakers offering odds of 30/1 during the week.

The question, not of when but can, Wales beat the All Blacks again has beset Welsh rugby for 73 years.

That wait has been marred by cheating, national scandal and pure sporting drama.

Little wonder then that few wanted to leave the Principality Stadium long after the final whistle had sparked unprecedented scenes of utter joy - and relief - to the strains of Yma O Hyd.

That losing run - stretching across 34 matches - has hung like a millstone around the necks of generations of Wales players.

Warburton was part of the one of the most successful Welsh teams of all time during the Warren Gatland era - but lost all five meetings with New Zealand.

Even the legendary team of the 1970s fell short, although Sir Gareth Edwards was among the Principality Stadium crowd on Saturday to see history made.

In brief

That is how former Wales captain Sam Warburton described the monumental result against New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday. So no-one gave Welsh a hope - even Warburton - with some bookmakers offering odds of 30/1 during the week. The question, not of when but can, Wales beat the All Blacks again has beset Welsh rugby for 73 years.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to BBC Sport. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

Continue reading at BBC Sport ↗

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