Warburton admits he doubted Wales before their first win over New Zealand since 1953

Sam Warburton admitted he did not believe Wales would beat New Zealand before watching his former side deliver one of the greatest results in their history, a 35-28 victory at the Principality Stadium that ended a 72-year wait for a win over the All Blacks.

The former Wales and British & Irish Lions captain described the triumph as a potential turning point for a side that had endured a record 18 consecutive Test defeats — the longest losing run of any tier-one nation — before beginning their recovery with a win over Japan in Kobe last year.

“Nobody gave Wales a chance and I didn’t think they would beat New Zealand, but I sometimes think we forget what this playing group has gone through,” Warburton said. “They’ve gone from plummeting from being grand slam winners six or seven years ago, all the way to 12th in the rankings, a record losing streak of any tier one nation. They were right in the pits and they slowly crawled their way out and had one of the greatest wins of all time in Welsh history.”

First-half tries from Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake and Archie Griffin, all converted by Sam Costelow, gave Steve Tandy’s side a commanding position, though New Zealand levelled by the interval. Wales rediscovered their momentum early in the second half through converted tries from Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit, before defending resolutely to repel a series of All Blacks attacks and secure the result.

Warburton credited Tandy with instilling the defensive resolve that proved decisive. “One thing that I think Steve Tandy has brought to this team, and one thing about all good Welsh teams we’ve had in the past, is that they’ve all been really tough, defiant, never given up at any cost,” he said. “That was the perfect example of that. There was so much pressure it seemed inevitable New Zealand were going to score, but for those players to just not crack and get over the line, it’s what being Welsh is all about.”

The win sets Wales up for a Nations Championship meeting with Australia next weekend, with Warburton hoping the result can serve as a springboard. “I hope this is the catalyst for this team for better things to come,” he added. “It was a phenomenal effort and I am proud to be Welsh on a day like that.”