THE BEST in the world brought the best out of Wales but sadly it wasn’t enough as New Zealand fought back from a half-time deficit to take the spoils in the first Test at Eden Park.

Warren Gatland’s men were scenting a famous victory when they led 21-18 going into the final quarter in Auckland.

Alas, the All Blacks turned on the class to wrestle back the lead and run in some late scores to give the scoreboard a deceptive look.

On paper it was the same old story for Wales against a southern hemisphere big gun but in reality it was one of their most enterprising approaches to a game for some time.

It was a performance that was a world away from the pre-tour Test Twickenham with Wales backing themselves to create, playing with ambition and intent against the very best.

Wales produced comfortably their best display since their agonising last-gasp loss to South Africa in Nelspruit two years ago.

Liam Williams ran wild from full-back, George North was in the mood on the wing, Rhys Webb sniped and Taulupe Faletau was everywhere.

Discipline was good and at times they rattled the All Blacks and forced them into errors.

Sadly, the result was the same and the wait goes on for a win against New Zealand but this has to be the template for Warren Gatland in the coming years.

Tests two and three are going to be a challenge – the All Blacks will only get better – but Wales have to keep their attacking mindset, an approach that led to them heading back to their changing room with a lead.

Any hopes of the All Blacks being rusty in their first Test since retaining the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham in October were dashed by a seriously rapid start in which they played at a searing tempo and tested the Welsh defence, striking first through the right boot of fly-half Aaron Cruden for a 3-0 lead after five minutes.

But Wales responded with a wonderful team try that ended with one Newport Gwent Dragons star setting up a former Rodney Parade teammate.

Full-back Ben Smith failed to gather an up and under and, after Ken Owens and Liam Williams had gone on the charge, the ball was worked left for Hallam Amos to show lovely footwork to draw in the defence and ship the ball over for Bath-bound number eight Taulupe Faletau to canter over.

The good of Amos was then followed by the naïve and his defensive error in showing Waisake Naholo the outside was ruthlessly exposed and ended with Cruden chipped left for Julian Savea to gather over the line.

A 8-5 scoreline to the hosts swiftly became 15-5 when Smith this time gathered cleanly and wriggled free for a superb counter-attack that ended with Naholo going over via Malakai Fekitoa after a manic first quarter.

But Wales didn’t panic and were true to their promise to be bold, an enterprising approach enabling Dan Biggar to chip away at the lead with a brace to make it 15-11.

Naholo blew a great chance for try number three when he ignored men inside him after another searing break and he was made to pay with another stunning Welsh score, full-back Liam Williams cutting free, scorching through midfield and drawing the last man for scrum-half Rhys Webb to dash over.

Wales had showed remarkable composure to rally with Biggar’s conversion making it 18-15 after 31 minutes.

They even had the chance to stretch away before the break when hammering away at the line in the 40th minute only for the All Blacks to hold firm.

The hosts were level seven minutes after the restart – although it could have been worse were it not for a superb covering Webb tackle on Fekitoa while they were playing with advantage.

However, Wales were back in front with 52 minutes on the clock when Biggar bisected the posts following yet another searing break by North.

Gatland’s team led going into the last quarter but New Zealand cranked up the pressure with Naholo just denied down the left by a superb covering tackle by hooker Ken Owens.

However, the giant winger was not to be denied seconds later when a smart quick tap penalty by Aaron Smith put the powerhouse over for a score that Cruden converted for 25-21 with 62 minutes gone.

The home bench had added oomph and helped provide the killer blow when captain Kieran Read was put under the sticks for a 32-21.

Wales had a bout of pressure at the death but the chance had gone and New Zealand twisted the knife from the final play – their winning mindset shown by the desire to keep playing rather than simply kick the ball dead from a scrum – with another lovely team try that saw replacement hooker Nathan Harris get on the scoresheet.

The first Test was said to be Wales’ golden shot. They gave it their all to emerge with great credit but it wasn’t enough.

New Zealand: B Smith, W Naholo, M Fekitoa (S Tamanivalu 75), R Crotty, J Savea (B Barrett 42), A Cruden, A Smith (TJ Perenara 69), J Moody (W Crockett 48), D Coles (N Harris 72), O Franks (C Faumuina 45), L Romano (P Tuipulotu 53), B Retallick, J Kaino, S Cane (A Savea 61), K Read (captain).

Scorers: tries – J Savea, W Naholo (2), K Read, N Harris; conversions – A Cruden (4); penalties – A Cruden (2)

Wales: L Williams (G Anscombe 64), G North, J Davies, J Roberts (S Williams 64), H Amos, D Biggar, R Webb (G Davies 72), G Jenkins (R Evans 64), K Owens (S Baldwin 64), S Lee (T Francis 72), B Davies (J Ball 72), AW Jones (J Ball 44-50), R Moriarty , S Warburton (captain, E Jenkins 72), T Faletau.

Scorers: tries – T Faletau, R Webb; conversion – D Biggar; penalties – D Biggar (3)

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Argus star man: George North