Reality dawns after Wales dared to dream

Did that really happen? Or was it just a dream?

As Welsh rugby fans wake up on Sunday morning the realisation will dawn on them.

It has happened. Wales have finally beaten the All Blacks again.

For the first time in 73 years - after 34 defeats - 19 December 1953 is now joined by 14 November 2026 as a defining date in Welsh rugby history.

Thousands of young kids will this morning be turning up to rugby training or matches, driven by parents who have a hint of a headache, with this magical day fresh in the memory.

Steve Tandy‘s heroes will always have this moment, with inspirational captain Dewi Lake and player-of-the-match James Botham shedding tears.

"Best day of my life," concluded Wales centre Eddie James.

Why nobody was expecting a Wales win

It was a result that sent shockwaves throughout Wales but also around the sporting world.

Friends and relatives who had not been in contact for ages messaged each other to revel in or discuss the result.

People reminisced that their parents or grandparents never saw this day.

There was jubilation in Cardiff but also disbelief at the timing and magnitude of the occasion.

Welsh rugby has been in disarray since the end of the 2023 World Cup after so many of the golden generation retired.

The Wales men’s national team slumped to a record 18 straight Test defeats in a winless run that lasted 16 months as the side slipped to a lowest world ranking of 14th.

Tandy had only won four Tests in 13 matches, those victories coming against Japan twice, Fiji and Italy. His side had been hammered twice by world champions South Africa without scoring a point and conceding 116.

So when they awoke on Saturday morning hardly anybody outside the camp would have thought this Welsh team would succeed where previous Grand Slam-winning sides had failed to topple New Zealand.

There had been hope, even occasional expectation, before previous contests. That was generally not the feeling this time around, as Wales - ranked 10th in the world - took on a New Zealand side that were ranked top before kick-off in Cardiff.

So where does this staggering result stand in Welsh rugby history?

There have been some wonderful days, with Grand Slam successes clinched in Cardiff in 1976, 1978, 2005, 2008, 2012 and 2019.

Then there was the 30-3 drubbing of England in Cardiff in 2013 to clinch the Six Nations title, while Warren Gatland's side defeated the same opponents two years later at Twickenham in the World Cup.

But this is New Zealand. The All Blacks. A Wales win an achievement many thought might never happen again.

Some might question people for celebrating a victory against a New Zealand side that had rested some top players. You will not find many of those in Wales today.

"I have never seen a performance like that from the men in red," said Radio Wales commentator Cennydd Davies.

"They have emptied the tank and created history."

'One of the greatest wins' - Wales stun All Blacks to go from no-hopers to heroes

Wales believed they could create history - Lake

All Blacks ran into a Welsh brick wall - Barrett

Tandy creates his own slice of history

Tandy has created history by becoming the first Wales coach to beat New Zealand.

Wales had no head coach when they defeated the All Blacks in 1905, 1935 and 1953, with David Nash the inaugural appointment in 1967.

Tandy has succeeded where World Cup-winning coaches Sir Graham Henry and Steve Hansen failed by masterminding a Welsh success against New Zealand.

Welsh Grand Slam-winning coaches like Gatland, Clive Rowlands, John Dawes and Mike Ruddock also could not inspire the feat Tandy has now achieved.

The unassuming man from Tonmawr in south Wales has had a tough initiation in his first 15 months as an international head coach but has now announced his arrival on the Test stage.

Tandy has had to deal with questions over his selections and coaching style, but nobody could ever question whether he has the backing of the squad or the way he has immersed himself in the job.

Players often reference the way Tandy keeps in touch, whether they are based in Wales or ply their club trade in England.

This squad play both for each other and for Tandy. There was no greater evidence of that than on Saturday.

Tandy has also finally been provided with a permanent back room staff. It is reaping the rewards.

Dynamic defence holds out All Blacks

Tandy earned his international stripes as a defence coach with Scotland and the British and Irish Lions.

The arrival of Peter Murchie, who is in his second campaign as defence coach, is starting to pay dividends with former Wales flanker Dan Lydiate providing able support.