New Zealand and Australia opened their European tours with hard-fought wins over Wales and England Saturday. Wales held New Zealand 6-6 at halftime before a second-half try by Andrew Hore and two more penalties by Dan Carter gave the All Blacks a 19-9 victory, while England led Australia 9-5 at the break but conceded 13 unanswered points to lose 18-9. Australia sorted out early indiscipline that threatened to hand victory to England and the returning Jonny Wilkinson but New Zealand could have thrown away victory at the end. Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones intercepted a loose pass by New Zealand's Jimmy Cowan and raced into space but the second-row didn't have the speed to make it to the line and the move broke down. “I was pretty nervous and absolutely shattered,” Carter said. “Credit to the Welsh guys, too, but we're very thankful of coming away with the win. “It's been a very challenging year for us, a couple of losses, but we want to put our name back on the world stage so to have a big win tonight is very satisfying.” Wales started the game well, supported by a sellout crowd at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but wasted a chance to take an early lead when Leigh Halfpenny missed a penalty. Carter and Wales' Stephen Jones each kicked two penalties in a fast-paced first half. The All Blacks scored its try in the 55th minute when Hore powered over the line after some quick rucking. Carter converted and added another penalty in the 64th. Wales rallied late with two more penalties from Jones but still has not beaten New Zealand in 21 games since 1953.
