OPINION: Throughout his 99 previous tests, Beauden Barrett has shown a flair for the dramatic... so it was for his magical 100th.
With archrival Richie Mo'unga delaying his arrival on tour to help with the birth of his second child, Barrett has taken the opportunity to reclaim his coveted No.10 jersey, after being relegated to fullback at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
During his tour like no other, the veteran has simply reminded everyone of the class that propelled him to consecutive World Player of the Year awards and Mo'unga may now struggle to win back his spot atop the first-five depth chart.
Behind Barrett's direction, the All Blacks were never seriously threatened by Wales, scoring four late unanswered tries - including a second intercept effort from the man of the moment - to run away 54-16 winners.
Although the Welsh were missing several of their frontliners, NZ coach Ian Foster will be well satisfied with a patient display from his team, which put their noses in front through Barrett's initial opportunism and traded blows, before their big finish.
Here's how the All Blacks players rated:
Joe Moody 7
Dynamic display from the loosehead prop, providing a one-two punch with Nepo Laulala with ball in hand. Missed an important tackle on Wales flanker Taine Basham and was unfairly penalised for pushing in the lineout, but set a strong scrum platform that had the opposition pack on the back foot.
Replaced by Karl Tu'inukuafe in 62nd minute.
Codie Taylor 7
Efficient at the lineouts and quietly near the top of the tackle count. Replaced by Samisoni Taukei'aho in 62nd minute.
Nepo Laulala 6
A strong performance marred by his yellow card for not wrapping arms in a tackle, while the tighthead also blew a rare try - just needed to catch the ball and fall over, but couldn't manage the former.
Replaced for good by Tyrell Lomax in 62nd minute.
Brodie Retallick 7
Part of an improved lineout effort from the All Blacks, forcing Wales into a turnover, but forced off the field with a shoulder injury that may threaten his future involvement on this tour and expose his team's depth at lock.
Replaced by Tupou Vaa'i in 60th minute.
Samuel Whitelock 8
Played a conservative hand as captain, opting for kicks at goal, rather than attacking lineouts. Put pressure on the Welsh lineout, which duly cracked at crucial times, and ruled on the NZ throw.
A calm head at the helm.
Ethan Blackadder 8
Buried in the dark stuff early, but unlucky to lose a try, when teammates were penalised on the line. Got a few minutes' rest during Laulala's yellow card, but got better as the match progressed.
Won the lineout and assisted on Dalton Papalii's try and switched to openside, when Papalii was subbed off. Continues to make the most of his chances.
Dalton Papalii 9
Invariably the first tackler on the scene and made more (11) than any of his teammates. Won ruck turnovers, pressured clearing kicks and recovered a loose Welsh lineout throw to stem an attacking threat.
Has taken his opportunities in Sam Cane's absence and shows no inclination to surrender the No.7 jersey on his return. Replaced by Akira Ioane in 65th minute.
Ardie Savea 9
Absolutely devastating with ball in hand, providing try assists for TJ Perenara and Sevu Reece. Looked quicker without the burden of captaincy.
TJ Perenara 8
First attacking opportunity was squandered, when he went missing at a ruck, but made up for that with one of his best displays in ages. Was often the quickest off the defensive line to disrupt the Welsh midfield, scored a try.
Replaced by Brad Weber in 62nd minute.
Beauden Barrett 10
Test centurion, Player of the Match, two intercept tries, wrongfully penalised when he almost had another. If you're quibbling, he muffed a great attacking chance with a dubious kick in the second half, but popped a clever pass in the build-up to ALB's try.
Rieko Ioane 7
Continues his fine form this season. Scrambled to save a dangerous attacking lineout opportunity, made one big run, before playing a key role in Reece's try.
Switched to the midfield when Reece came on and has consolidated his automatic selection in the top line-up.
David Havili 6
Maybe time to try someone else in this spot, as Havili's form seems to have tailed off in recent outings. A couple of missed tackles, a couple of turnovers, had a kick charged down, but did a couple of good things, smothering a long lineout throw on defence.
Replaced by Reece in 62nd minute.
Anton Lienert-Brown 8
After a quiet campaign, produced his best performance with strong tackling, combining with Havili for a tackle turnover. Contributed to the late try flurry.
Will Jordan 9
Quiet first half, but showed his class with two big runs in the second, providing a kick-and-chase try that took his tally to 16 from 11 tests. Opposition teams should think twice about kicking the ball his way.
Replaced by Richie Mo'unga in 68th minute.
Jordie Barrett 8
Solidied his grip on the No.15 jersey with another fin allround display. Courage under the high ball saw him rattled in a painful collision, but was also unwittingly responsible for the departure of hometown hero Alun Wyn Jones.
Kicked seven of 10 from the tee, missing from halfway and hitting the upright from the sideline. Crosskick sparked Reece's try.
Reserves
Samisoni Taukei'aho 6
Replaced Tayler in 62nd minute and didn't miss a beat.
Karl Tu'inukuafe 6
Replaced Moody in 62nd minute.
Tyrel Lomax 6
Made a brief appearance during Laulala's yellow card and replaced him for good in 62nd minute.
Tupou Vaa'i 7
Replaced Retallick in 60th minute and another making the most of his chances, with others absent. May become a key tourist, if Retallick's injury is serious.
Akira Ioane 6
Replaced Papalii in 65th minute.
Brad Weber 6
Replaced Perenara in 62nd minute, but hesitation cost a try and lost another, when Mo'unga pass went behind him.
Richie Mo'unga 6
Replaced Jordan in 68th minute.
Sevu Reece 7
Replaced Havili in 62nd minute and handled three times in the build-up to his spectacular try. Wouldn't be out of place in starting line-up.
Grant Chapman is Newshub online sports lead.
