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WORLD SPORT

Gear treble sparks rout of Wales

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Gear leaves Shane Williams trailing as he scores his second try

CARDIFF, Wales -- Rico Gear scored a hat-trick as the All Blacks began their Grand Slam tour of the British Isles with a crushing 41-3 victory in the Centenary Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium here Saturday.

The Tri-Nations champions, who won all three tests against the British and Irish Lions earlier this year, were too strong for the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam holders, as fly-half Daniel Carter turned in a masterful display.

Right-wing Gear scored in the first half and then twice in the space of five minutes at the start of the second period.

Carter scored 26 points, landing all six of his goalkicks as well as running in New Zealand's fourth and fifth tries.

Wales's only score, in a match marking the centenary of their first Test against New Zealand, came from a Stephen Jones penalty. Wales have not beaten New Zealand since 1953.

The Welsh, who were only beaten 26-25 by New Zealand last year, were without six of their British and Irish Lions and under a closed Millennium Stadium roof, New Zealand dominated territory in the early stages, Wales struggling to get past the half-way line.

The All Blacks forwards caused the Wales scrum to creak alarmingly while lock Chris Jack, who starred against the Lions, frequently robbed Wales of possession at the lineout off the hosts' own throw.

This early pressure told in the 10th minute when Wales were penalized on the edge of their 22 and Carter kicked a penalty from the right hand side.

But New Zealand were still making unforced errors close to the Wales line and one of these cost them the chance of scoring the game's first try in the 17th minute.

Scrum-half Byron Kelleher's quick tap penalty on half-way caught the Wales defense napping. But, in sight of the line, and with captain Tana Umaga on his outside as he headed towards the left corner, Kelleher greedily held on to the ball and was well tackled by Wales skipper and full-back Gareth Thomas.

But Wales infringed at the ensuing ruck and Carter made it 6-0.

Thomas then gave the 74,000 crowd something to cheer with a break of his own and his side came away with points after centre New Zealand centre Conrad Smith was penalized for holding on to Wales counterpart Ceri Sweeney without the ball.

Fly-half Jones kicked the penalty.

But the try New Zealand had been threatening arrived in the 29th minute when Wales hooker Mefin Davies overthrew at a lineout and Jack collected the loose ball. The ball was worked along the line by Carter, who found onrushing full-back Mils Muliana and his pass sent in Gear at the corner. Carter converted.

Promising situation

A promising situation for Wales was ended when lock Brent Cockbain, frustrated at seeing Umaga lying on the ball, punched the All Black skipper and Carter kicked a relieving penalty.

Playmaker Carter, another player who had a standout series against the Lions, was quickly into the action in the second-half. Wales wing Shane Williams, trying to lay the ball back at a ruck, lost control and the ball came out to Carter, who made a superb break.

His well-timed pass sent Gear in for his second try and Carter, whose kicking out of hand was equally impressive, landed the conversion to make it 20-3.

Five minutes later Gear completed his hat-trick when New Zealand again created an overlap and, with Carter once more adding the extras, the All Blacks were all but out of sight.

Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips, in for the injured Dwayne Peel, was replaced by Gareth Cooper and just short of the hour mark the inspirational Thomas wearily left the field to give Lee Byrne a Test debut.

Recently-qualified prop Chris Horsman also came on for his first Wales cap while All Black debutant prop Neemia Tialata was replaced by Tony Woodcock, who angered home fans with what appeared to be a spear tackle on Cockbain.

Amidst a welter of replacements, Carter got on the end of a well-worked move for a try in the left as Wales ran out of defenders.

And there was still time for Carter to score another try. Smith kicked ahead but Shane Williams beat Umaga to the loose ball. In his desperation to release the ball he gifted it to Carter who strolled over.

Wales continue their November program against Fiji in Friday while next Saturday the All Blacks face Ireland in Dublin.

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