WALES fell to their 16th successive defeat at the hands of New Zealand yesterday - but what a fright they gave the World Cup favourites in front of a stunned crowd of 80,012!

Wales rocked the All Blacks in their final pool game by scoring their highest points total against them, while it was the third-highest tally they have ever conceded in any match.

And never before has an All Black team conceded 24 unanswered points - and in just 11 minutes at that - which is what Wales managed between the 35th and 46th minutes.

No-one could believe it, and for a fleeting moment one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history even appeared a possibility.

The All Blacks did regroup, and once Carlos Spencer put them back in front at 38-37 after an hour Wales had shot their bolt.

It was cruel that they conceded another two tries - the All Blacks scored eight to Wales' four - and they didn't deserve to concede 50 points.

One of those final two tries should never have been conceded, as Justin Marshall's pass to Doug Howlett was clearly forward, and though referee Andre Watson had doubts, touchjudge Alan Lewis, of Ireland, gave it the OK.

But it was the most spirited performance Wales have put in for years against a top nation. I wrote in Saturday's preview that if Wales played with heart and gave it everything they would be forgiven a defeat.

And so it proved, as they were applauded off the field at half-time and at the end, never mind on the train back into the centre of Sydney at gone midnight, when Welsh fans nearly raised the roof with their full-throated singing.

Even if New Zealand coach John Mitchell got Jonathan Thomas and Shane Williams mixed up at the after-match Press conference - he clearly hadn't heard of either before the game, though he will have now - it was significant that they were the pair at the media conference along with coach Steve Hansen and captain Colin Charvis.

Both terrorised the All Blacks, Williams, with his cheeky sidestepping runs which completely wrongfooted them, and Thomas, with his bursts from the back of set pieces and his lineout ability.

Alix Popham also had his best game in a Welsh jersey, running and tackling strongly, while the entire front five gave as good as they got, and Stephen Jones played with control at outside-half.

The real concern is the injuries to Garan Evans and Sonny Parker, in particular, Parker a real worry with another arm injury and the quarter-final against England in Brisbane next Sunday, now confirmed after the weekend's results, looming large.

But if Wales frightened the All Blacks, who is to say they can't do the same against England?

THE All Blacks' haka was greeted by flashing lightbulbs from all over the impressive ground, which was filled to capacity, and if the New Zealand war dance was meant to intimidate Wales, it did just that.

The All Blacks swept imperiously into the lead after just one minute and 34 seconds, as the ball was moved right, then left, where dangerman Joe Rokocoko rocketed over for a try with almost contemptuous ease. Leon MacDonald rubbed salt into the early wound by converting from the touchline.

Worse was to follow when Garan Evans went down with a sickening thud, trying to stop Rokocoko. He stayed down, and medical personnel raced on to the field to assist the stricken Evans, who was taken from the field on a buggy.

He was replaced by Gareth Thomas, but this heralded a terrific piece of play by Wales which rocked the All Blacks and led to a great try.

Alex Popham, Jonathan Thomas and Tom Shanklin all ran hard before Gareth Thomas was hauled down inches short, and just failed to ground the ball over the New Zealand line.

But Wales persisted, and when Stephen Jones chipped over the top and re-gathered it set the alarm bells ringing. Cooper, Jonathan Thomas and Gareth Thomas all handled as Wales lost possession, and Mark Taylor dummied before crossing the line for a try, which Jones converted.

But the All Blacks hit back immediately through that man Rokocoko, who left Wales' captain, Colin Charvis, trailing, and shot over for his second try a minute later, MacDonald again converting.

Wales again replied, Jonathan Thomas surprising the All Blacks with another burst which could have produced a try if Thomas had got the ball inside to Shane Williams.

But Wales narrowed the gap with a Jones penalty, though they might have taken a quick tap penalty, which New Zealand did to produce a try moments later. Scrum-half Justin Marshall went clear and put MacDonald over for a try which he also converted.

Wales lost Mark Taylor with a cut head, replaced by Ceri Sweeney, and though Taylor returned after seven minutes off, New Zealand scored their fourth try.

Outside-half Carlos Spencer kicked high to his right, where towering lock Ali Williams was waiting to pick the ball out of the air over the dwarfed Shane Williams, and pounce for the try which MacDonald converted.

Wales replaced Adam Jones with Gethin Jenkins, but they struck again with a second great try. Shane Williams produced some of his magic, turning Brad Thorne inside out, linking with Tom Shanklin and putting Sonny Parker over near the corner for Jones to convert.

But Parker injured his arm yet again in the process, and had to leave the field amid fears he had badly damaged the limb for a third time this season.

But Wales continued to play well above expectations and way ahead of anything they have achieved for years.

Try number three followed almost on the half-time whistle. Jon Thomas won a lineout, Iestyn Thomas took the ball, Popham drove on and Charvis plunged over for the try, which Jones converted.

Wales had narrowed the gap from 28-10 to 28-24 at the interval, and New Zealand radio commentators were shouting: 'Give the ball to Shane Williams, he's the greatest since Gerald Davies, and also calling it one of the greatest halves of rugby ever played.

And an incredible first-half statistic was that Wales made New Zealand make 109 tackles. No wonder Wales were applauded off at the interval.

They started the second half where they left off the first, Jones kicking a penalty from fully 50 yards.

And then, astonishingly, Wales took the lead against the World Cup favourites with yet another brilliant try. Replacement Sweeney broke through and linked with Charvis, who fed Sweeney again on the inside. The All Blacks cleared, but Brent Cockbain won the line-out and Gareth Thomas floated out a long pass to man-of-the-moment Shane Williams, who raised his arm in triumph as he sped over the line.

Wales were leading 34-28, but the All Blacks came again when winger Doug Howlett shot across from his wing to find a gap at outside-centre to ease between Taylor and Shanklin for a try.

The conversion failed, leaving Wales leading by a point which they stretched to four when Jones landed his third penalty.

Rattled New Zealand brought on replacement forwards Kees Meeuws and Marty Holah, and they piled on heavy pressure, Wales desperately hanging on.

Chris Wyatt replaced Cockbain, but the Welsh defence cracked when Spencer feinted to go open, but instead ran right around to the blind side, trailed by Cooper, and made it to the line. The conversion failed, but the All Blacks were back in front, if only by a point.

With 11 minutes left the All Blacks struck again when scrum-half Justin Marshall broke wide from a scrum and put Howlett over for his second try, and though referee Andre Watson called for the video referee, there looked more doubt about the pass which appeared forward.

MacDonald found his kicking boots with an easy penalty and Aaron Mauger took the score past the 50-mark when he broke through a tiring defence for a try which MacDonald converted.

Wales had run out of steam, but had played wonderfully well, with great skill and commitment for an hour, and didn't deserve to concede 50 points.

Wales: G Evans (G Thomas 4), S Williams, M Taylor (C Sweeney 25-32), S Parker (C Sweeney 35), T Shanklin, S Jones, G Cooper (D Peel 76), I Thomas, R McBryde (M Davies 61), A Jones (G Jenkins 32), B Cockbain (C Wyatt 59), R Sidoli, J Thomas, A Popham (D Jones 63), C Charvis (Captain).

Scorers: Tries - M Taylor, S Parker, C Charvis, S Williams; Cons - S Jones (4); Pens - Jones (3).

New Zealand: M Muliaina, D Howlett, L MacDonald, A Mauger, J Rokocoko, C Spencer, J Marshall, D Hewett (K Meeuws 50), K Mealamu (M Hammett 69), G Somerville, B Thorn, A Williams, R Thorn (captain), J Collins (M Holah 52), R McCaw.

Scorers: Tries - J Rokocoko (2), D Howlett (2), L MacDonald, A Williams, C Spencer, A Mauger; Cons - MacDonald (5); Pen - MacDonald.