Wales flanker James Botham has credited the work of Wales’ coaches after making 30 tackles in a 35-28 win that gave Wales their first victory over New Zealand since 1953.
Botham, who is due to become a father next week, spoke to ITV pitchside at the Principality Stadium after the match.
He played all 80 minutes, and his 30 tackles were the third-most in the Wales side after Dafydd Jenkins (38) and Jac Morgan (31).
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‘Each other’s backs’
Wales made 346 tackles to New Zealand’s 136 and kept the All Blacks scoreless for the last 27 minutes.
“It just shows you how tight we are as a group now. We’ve been training on the defensive side of things, Merch, Tandy and Lids, and it shows how training, how it’s come on and just how much we have got each other’s backs because that’s what you need,” Botham said.
“It’s come from belief. Like obviously we’ve got the crowd behind us and the energy and the noise was unbelievable,” he added.
That appears to be a nod to defence coach Pete Murchie, head coach Steve Tandy and specialist coach Dan Lydiate, who oversees defensive contact skills.
Murchie joined Wales from Japan’s Kobe Steelers earlier in 2026, and Lydiate, the former Wales flanker, joined Tandy’s staff as a specialist coach in May.
The work showed late on. Wales scored all five of their tries inside 48 minutes, then held New Zealand to one more score. Peter Lakai’s converted try on 53 minutes made it 35-28, and the All Blacks, with 65 per cent of the ball and nine line breaks, did not score again.
Wales’ back row did much of the work. Openside Jac Morgan won four turnovers, the most in the match, and Botham beat two defenders as well as making his 30 tackles.
‘1953, was it?’
Reminded that he is due to become a father next week, Botham said: “Absolutely… I can’t even describe, like, emotions. I think it was what, 1953, was it the last time we beat the All Blacks?”
He was right. Wales’ previous win over New Zealand was 13-8 at Cardiff Arms Park in 1953.
‘A last drink’
On his plans for the night, Botham said: “I think I’ll be rude not to have a celebration tonight, especially with the family and get a last drink in before the little one arrives.”
Wales host Australia in Cardiff next Saturday.
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