Following last week’s narrow win in Tokyo, the All Blacks were made to work here again, despite racing into an early 17-0 lead.
But in the end, they ran in eight tries, Smith, hooker Codie Taylor and inside centre Jordie Barrett all getting a pair of tries, while Savea and Samisoni Taukei’aho each crossed once.
Debutant winger Rio Dyer celebrated his first Wales cap with a try, while new skipper Justin Tipuric also got over. But every time Wales got themselves back in contention, they would concede as New Zealand clinched a fifth successive victory.
Prior to kick-off there was a minute’s applause to honour two greats of the Welsh game, Lions legend Phil Bennett and former Wales skipper and long-time commentator Eddie Butler, who have both passed away in recent months.
Wales had been forced into a late change, Leigh Halfpenny ruled out with a hamstring injury, necessitating a reshuffle as Gareth Anscombe moved to full-back, with Rhys Priestland brought in at fly-half.
New Zealand enjoyed a dream start, Savea making an immediate impact with a turnover in just the second minute.
When Wales were caught going in at the side, Richie Mo’unga gave them the lead from 35 metres out.
And from another Savea turnover, they had their first try. Dalton Papali’i shrugged off a couple of tackles after Savea had got the ball back, and while the flanker could not go all the way, the All Blacks worked through the phases and eventually Taylor was the man to power over. Mo’unga converted to make it 10-0 after 11 minutes.
It looked like being a long afternoon when Taylor powered over for his second on 19 minutes. Again, Savea was at the heart of it, causing damage with some strong carries and then taking a quick tap five metres out with the hooker again there to finish it off.
WALES BATTLE BACK
At 17-0, Wales needed a response and when they got a kickable penalty, they went to the corner. First time around, they were repelled, but a second effort paid off with Dyer’s debut score.
A brilliant set move off the lineout bamboozled the All Black defence, Dyer appearing out the back to take Nick Tompkins’ pop pass and ghost clean through. Anscombe converted to make it 17-7.
Tompkins then broke through as Wales threatened a second try in quick succession. They could not make it count, but Jordie Barrett was pinged in the build-up and Anscombe cut the deficit to seven.
However, in what was to become a theme in the match, the All Blacks hit back immediately just as Wales looked like they might be back in it.
With penalty advantage, Jordie Barrett set up out wide and when Mo’unga produced a pinpoint cross-kick that the inside centre claimed above Dyer before dotting down.
Wales had the final say of the first half, Anscombe adding a penalty to make it 22-13, before slotting another to start the second.
Just as Wales got back to within a score, New Zealand struck. From the back of a maul, the scrum-half danced inside Tommy Reffell, stepped Louis Rees-Zammit and sprinted over. Again, Mo’unga converted to make it 29-16.
Wales again hit back, skipper Tipuric the man pounce after Priestland challenged Mo’unga in the air from Tomos Williams’ clever chip.
Yet again though, the hope lasted barely a minute. Williams kicked out on the full to give New Zealand field position and then Nicky Smith fell for Savea’s outrageous dummy, with Smith again on hand to get over for his second. With Mo’unga’s conversion, New Zealand led 36-23 with 20 minutes remaining.
ALL BLACKS PULL AWAY
Savea then got the try his performance deserved as New Zealand finally broke the Welsh resolve, although Will Rowlands almost denied him with remarkable last-gasp defence.
At 41-23, the game was effectively gone, but Wales almost got their third try when Anscombe charged down Beauden Barrett but was hauled down by Mo’unga as he raced for the line.
Instead, it was New Zealand who had the final say, Beauden Barrett putting his brother Jordie over for his second of the game, before adding the conversion, and then Taukei’aho adding an eighth.
