New Zealand has scored a 20th consecutive rugby victory over Wales stretching back 55 years, withstanding a ferocious first-half from the home side to come away convincing 29-9 winners.

The win sets the All Blacks firmly on the road to completing a grand slam against the four home nations after previous wins over Scotland and Ireland and a final fixture against England next weekend.

Returning to the scene of France's smash-and-grab victory in last year's World Cup quarter-final, New Zealand scored two tries through Ma'a Nonu and Jerome Kaino while Dan Carter booted 19 points.

Wales' points came from Stephen Jones' three first-half penalties, meaning the All Blacks have not conceded a try in their three games on tour.

The start of the game was made all the more electrifying after the Welsh players refused to back away from the pre-game haka. Referee Jonathan Kaplan was powerless to do anything and it was the All Blacks who eventually yielded at the behest of captain Richie McCaw.

"I'm very happy with the performance today," said man-of-the-match McCaw.

"We were facing a passionate Wales team and we tried to get the ascendancy in the game. We weren't rattled by what happened after the haka. We kept out composure but needed to regroup at half-time (when the All Blacks trailed 9-6)."

New Zealand coach Graham Henry said he was "delighted" with the result, and called the game "a hell of a good Test match".

"We played a superb second-half and showed a huge amount of composure. I think it was the best half of rugby we've played this year."

Wales coach Warren Gatland praised the All Blacks as "obviously the best side in the world at the moment", but also his side's first-half showing.

New Zealand "were able to keep up their intensity and put us under pressure for the full 80 minutes", said Gatland, who appeared 17 times for the All Blacks without ever playing a Test.

"But I'm very proud of the effort we showed in the first-half. I can't fault that," he added. "We brought the best out of the All Blacks."

Stephen Jones got the scoreboard ticking with an easy penalty in the second minute after Nonu was penalised for a high tackle on fullback Lee Byrne.

Wales, seeking their first win over the All Blacks since 1953, weathered a Kiwi comeback and took the game back into New Zealand territory.

Captain Ryan Jones latched onto a loose throw-in, linked with Martyn Williams before Jamie Roberts was played through a gap. The All Blacks recovered but then infringed at a ruck, allowing Jones to add a second penalty in the 14th minute.

Carter pulled back three points for the visitors three minutes later after Wales were penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck, but the outside-half then saw a second effort rebound off a post.

The Welsh were a galvanised force in attack, Stephen Jones spinning and bouncing his way close to the line before the All Blacks fouled and Jones hit a third 38-metre penalty after 23 minutes.

The All Black defence was being severely tested and when Jones played Byrne through the gap, he looked try-bound, but the fullback slipped and his backflip pass found the hands of the covering Ali Williams.

Carter kicked a second penalty on the stroke of half-time after Alun-Wyn Jones failed to roll away from a ruck, leaving the Welsh with a slim three-point buffer despite their dominance of possession.

Within a minute of the restart, Carter had drawn the scores level after the home defence strayed offside in midfield, and from then on New Zealand did not look back.

When Andy Powell fed Byrne a hospital pass, Carter hit him hard, secured the turnover and Nonu kicked for the empty spaces behind Leigh Halfpenny, only scrambling defence by the winger and lock Ian Evans saving the day.

Wales then weathered a series of scrums and short drives on their own five metre line, but the pressure finally paid off, Nonu touching down in the 55th minute after quick hands from Carter and hooker Keven Mealamu caught the Welsh defence outnumbered. Carter kicked the conversion for a 16-9 lead.

Wales began falling off the tackle and more pressure from the visitors saw Carter notch up a fourth penalty.

Replacement James Hook and Carter then both missed penalty attempts in close succession as wilting legs made for a more fragmented game.

Carter kicked a fifth penalty, while a converted try two minutes into injury time by Kaino gave the scoreline an extra gloss for the visitors.

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