Defensive desire a Welsh hallmark - Roberts

Former British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts said Wales' heroic defensive effort against New Zealand in the 35-28 win showed what it meant to be Welsh.

It was the first time since 1953 Wales celebrated beating the All Blacks, ending a run of 34 successive defeats in one of world rugby's historically most one-sided fixtures.

On three separate occasions Wales led by 14 points, and for the first time they scored five tries against New Zealand, but ultimately it was heroic defence that denied the visitors.

"That defensive set in the second half epitomised in a way what it is to be Welsh," Roberts, who won 94 caps for Wales, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"That resilience, that bravery, that kind of never-say-die attitude that made us all so proud."

'Heroic' tackle stats off the charts

Wales made a massive 346 tackles, setting a new world record for Tests that outstripped the previous mark of 292 set last year by France in New Zealand.

Lock Dafydd Jenkins topped the charts at 38, which matches the individual world record tally set by France captain Thierry Dusautoir in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final at the same Cardiff ground.

Jenkins was followed by Jac Morgan (31), James Botham (30), centre Eddie James (25) and Dewi Lake (24).

Wales had the top nine tacklers on the field, with replacement prop Gareth Thomas making 19 in just 26 minutes.

"It's heroic and as the days go past we would just appreciate it a little bit more how special yesterday was," said Roberts.

"I woke up this morning just thinking had it happened?

"It was unbelievable and only sport can make you feel those emotions."

A generational victory after tough times

Roberts says he hopes the players understand the magnitude of the victory.

"It's a generational win and I salute the 23 lads who put in that heroic performance," said Roberts.

"I hope the lads appreciate what they've done for the country by putting a huge amount of pride in the jersey for a generational win.

"It's a young squad that's finding their way, we're developing combinations as we look ahead to the World Cup next year."

Roberts is also a Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) board member at a time when the game has been in disarray in Wales on and off the field.

The WRU board is proposing to cut a professional side by 2028 while the governing has posted an £18m loss.

The Wales men's national team slumped to a record 18 straight Test defeats in a winless run that lasted 16 months, which also saw the side slip to a lowest world ranking of 14th.

"Therein lies the the kind of David v Goliath narrative," said Roberts.

"You have to put this one in context of where Wales have been in the last couple of years.

"They've been in a very difficult place and that's what makes the win all the more sweet.

"It's a group of young men who have gone through a lot of challenges in the last couple of years and there lies the resilience, heart and effort.

"A lot of those players have gone through such a difficult time, so to come out swinging like that and perform like that was sensational."

Achieving something that Welsh legends could not

This class of 2026 achieved something that Grand Slam-winning sides could not manage with legends such as Sir Gareth Edwards, who never beat the All Blacks with Wales, in the Cardiff crowd to witness the spectacular scenes.

"So many good and great Wales sides down the years have failed to beat the All Blacks at a time where they were higher ranked," said Roberts.

"Trophy-winning teams have failed to do it and that's what makes this win all the more remarkable and special."

Roberts says the pride was felt inside and outside of the Principality Stadium.

"I've not felt emotions like that in a long time, certainly not since I've retired, seeing how much happiness there was around the place was unbelievable," said Roberts.

"Not just the people at the stadium had a huge amount of awe in that performance, but it touched everyone watching around the world.

"There was so much joy out around Cardiffc, and that would be reflected across the country and for Welsh people across the globe."