DIFFICULT TO IGNORE CLAIMS OF HAT-TRICK HERO TOM

IN THE end, the 52-26 scoreline was testament to New Zealand's second-half dominance, but there were also green shoots for Wales.

- STEFFAN THOMAS

Joe Hawkins' return helped Wales offer more creativity

(Chris Fairweather/ Huw Evans Agency)

Steve Tandy's side showed a lot more in attack than they have of late, with Tom Rogers claiming a hat-trick and Louis Rees-Zammit also touching down for a try. But the All Blacks simply had too much firepower for this Wales side as they ran in seven tries.

Here are your winners and losers.

TOM ROGERS NAILS DOWN STARTING SPOT

Becoming the first player to ever score a hat-trick for Wales against the All Blacks is quite some feat.

Rogers stepped in for the suspended Josh Adams and it couldn't have gone any better for the man from Cefneithin.

The Scarlets wing was a threat with ball in hand and put in a tremendous finish early in the second half.

He also put it about in defence, putting his body on the line to get under Will Jordan to prevent a certain try.

Rogers should be Wales' first-choice wing moving forward and has probably overtaken Adams in the pecking order.

JOE HAWKINS' POSITIVE RETURN

It has been two long years since Hawkins donned the red jersey and he has made an immediate impact.

Hawkins helped improve Wales' attack as a second playmaker, while also holding his own physically.

The Scarlets centre has excellent peripheral vision and his distribution opened up the All Blacks' defence on multiple occasions. He put in a tremendous pass to carve open the All Blacks for Rogers' third try.