New Zealand head coach makes regrettable promise ahead of England clash after first loss to Wales in 73 years

Wales’s players and fans will have a day they will never forget as they beat New Zealand for the first time in a Test match in 73 years.

It has been a frustrating period for the Welsh nation in rugby as they have lost on 34 consecutive occasions, but now they can put that behind them with this momentous victory in the Nations Championship.

Head Coach Steve Tandy masterminded a game plan to nullify the All Blacks, and his squad executed it perfectly while also showing incredible resilience in their defensive performance.

Now, Dave Rennie, the New Zealand head coach, will need to rally his troops for the challenge of England, who have looked imperious in this international window with victories over Australia and Japan.

This has seen Rennie opting to make a promise for that clash, one which he probably regrets having to make.

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New Zealand set to play their ‘strongest’ side against England

Wales deserve full credit for their performance against the All Blacks, as they won 35-28, as they scored five tries to their opponents four.

Their defensive showing was incredible to behold as they held New Zealand up across the try line on three occasions, which would have been more than enough for the Southern Hemisphere side to win.

Now, I want to make it clear that I am giving Wales their deserved praise for such an impressive performance, but New Zealand did make 10 changes to their side for the match.

It was easy to see that the All Blacks were not firing on all cylinders, partly due to the Welsh defensive effort but also because they did not look to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Upon the announcement of the squads for the match, it was notable how many All Black stars were missing after their victory in Scotland, and Rennie made it clear that he was saving them for the England clash.

Speaking ahead of the match, Rennie said: “We’ll pick our strongest side next week”.

This will surely have inspired the Wales team, in what they may have taken as a disrespectful comment and view towards their nation.

Now, it may be no surprise that they would rest several of their stars due to where Welsh rugby has found itself in recent years. Prior to this incredible victory, they had only won eight in their last 35 international matches, against less than stellar opposition.

It has been a tough few years for Welsh rugby on and off the pitch, but this victory could be a catalyst to return them to where they were through the first two decades of the 2000s, as one of the best nations in the world.

While New Zealand have a fine record against Wales, having gone unbeaten 73 years before this defeat, with 34 victories in that time, they may have felt that resting several players ahead of a clash with England was wise.

Wales will not care that this may be considered a B side for the All Blacks; this will go down in history as them beating the All Blacks, and especially considering the rough couple of years the Welsh have had.

This will encourage them ahead of next year’s World Cup and Six Nations that they can trouble other Tier One rugby nations once again on a consistent basis.

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New Zealand’s clash with England

England secured a massive victory over Japan just hours after New Zealand suffered their defeat to Wales.

The English secured a record win against the Asian nation, winning 78-15, leaving them second in their group standings, a point behind France.

Steve Borthwick’s side will be hopeful they can catch France in the table to play the Grand Final in two weeks' time, but it is likely they will finish second.

However, to have any chance of finishing top, they will need to be the All Blacks, who also need to win to finish top in their group.

So, this match carries significance between the All Blacks and England, with a loss for either likely to end their chances of winning the Nations Championship.

England have beaten New Zealand in two of the last six Tests, an impressive record, and so they will be confident they can improve this next weekend.