WALES suffered a 36-22 defeat to New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington after being hit by another All Blacks power play.

Warren Gatland’s men had a sniff heading into the last half hour only to be hit by a typical Kiwi flurry, scores that ensured there was no tense finale and the three-Test series is won ahead of Dunedin.

It was never in doubt that the first teamers would put in a better showing than the second string, who were beaten 40-7 by the Chiefs in midweek.

Sadly though there was no change of the usual script with the world champions enjoying a fairly comfortable evening to extend their winning streak against Wales that goes back to 1953.

Wales were level at 10-10 with half an hour left but the All Blacks put the foot down, scoring through Ben Smith, Waisake Nahol, Beauden Barrett and Adie Savea, to stretch clear before a pair of late tries by Liam Williams and Jonathan Davies reduced the deficit.

There were strong performances – with loosehead Gethin Jenkins and back rowers Ross Moriary and Taulupe Faletaut standing tall – but In truth a famous victory never looked on the cards.

Yet there was controversy with Waisake Naholo lucky to still be on the pitch as the clock hit 80 after referee Jaco Peyper, with help from the TMO, deeming that a mid-air collision with Liam Williams wasn’t worthy of yellow.

But Wales could have few complaints and need to shore up a faltering lineout if they are to stand any chance of upsetting the odds in the final Test in Dunedin next week.

The tourists opened the scoring when flanker Sam Cane was pinged at the breakdown to enable Dan Biggar to make it 3-0 after 16 minutes.

New Zealand responded swiftly, turning down shots at goal before full-back Israel Dagg was put over by centre Malakai Fekitoa. Cruden converted to put the All Blacks 7-3 ahead after 20 minutes.

New Zealand had found their rhythm and began to threaten the Welsh defence.

Smith used his evasive footwork to move his side close to the try-line, before the visitors gave Cruden a second penalty after 29 minutes. His game was soon ended by injury.

But Davies inspired Wales to go in level at the break. The centre burst down the middle to set his side on the offensive.

Biggar then moved it right to Roberts, who handed the ball off to Davies, who looped a pass over Smith into the hands of lock Alun Wyn Jones, who dotted down at the corner.

Biggar kicked the conversion from the touchline to make it 10-10 at half-time.

A Sam Warburton break fizzled out after the break, and they were punished by the clinical All Blacks after 52 minutes. Barrett wrestled through and found Smith, who sprinted past Hallam Amos to score at the corner. Barrett converted to restore New Zealand's seven-point lead.

The replacement stand-off pressed his case in the absence of Cruden, and put New Zealand clear two minutes later.

A strong scrum gave Barrett the perfect attacking platform, and he wrestled past Biggar to stretch over the line.

And it got even worse for Warren Gatland on the hour-mark, when Kieran Read combined with Aaron Smith at the back of a scrum to set up a walk-over try for Naholo.

Replacement flanker Savea showed that try-scoring runs in the family as he stepped inside to put the gloss on the victory, before Williams broke to score from long-range, and Davies then fended off a defender to score a second consolation.