Rugby

All Blacks Captain plays last match for the AB's

November 2, 2019 6:35 am

The All Blacks have finished third at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, beating Wales 40-17 in Tokyo last night.

After the loss to England in the semifinal last week, New Zealand ended its World Cup campaign – and Steve Hansen’s tenure as head coach – on a positive note with the win in the third-place playoff, extending their 66-year winning streak over Wales to 31 Tests.

Playing with intent and accuracy that had been lacking last weekend, New Zealand scored six tries to two at Tokyo Stadium.

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Both teams came to play and Wales, also saying farewell to coach Warren Gatland, ran the ball at every opportunity.

But it was the All Blacks who racked up four first-half tries to prop Joe Moody, fullback Beauden Barrett and Ben Smith, who picked up a double in his last game for the team.

The outgoing outside back was denied a hat-trick by the Television Match Official, but still went past Jonah Lomu on the All Blacks all-time try-scorers list.

This match also marked a special moment for the All Blacks as Captain Kieran Read played his last match.

Read says he has had a great time with the All Blacks.

I tried to really make sure I stayed in the moment and actually enjoy this day. I thank my emotions at the start of the week. I was able to get them all out of there. So today was pretty much a wrap process I just wanted to play well. I wanted to come out and soak it up and enjoy the occasion and that’s what I did. Look, the guys, I just love playing with this team. To see at the end you got your family to come out and share a bit of the special moment and I love playing with my team mates and I will hold these memories for a long time.

Read has been capped 124 times and has scored 130 points for the All Blacks so far.

The heat will be on for tonights Rugby World Cup final as both South Africa and England gear up for a powerful battle.

The 2019 RWC final between the Springboks and England will be played at 9pm tonight.