Rugby: Gatland puts on brave face as Wales tackle All Blacks

Wales coach Warren Gatland looks on during Wales Rugby Union training. Photo / Getty Images

Wales coach Warren Gatland swears his team are within touching distance of upsetting one of the big shots.

The Kiwi was left privately fuming after Wales let slip an early 16-3 lead over world champions South Africa in Cardiff on Sunday in a 34-31 defeat.

But as Wales prepare to meet the All Blacks at Carisbrook and in Hamilton, Gatland tried to put on a brave face. "We want to test ourselves against the best teams in the world. We want to keep playing them because you learn from playing against the best players.

"We had another opportunity against South Africa and I think we are knocking on the door. It is going to crack for us soon.

"I have been involved with teams in the past, most recently at London Wasps, when we needed one breakthrough win to alter the mentality. One year, we beat Stade Francais home and away and from that point the confidence and self-belief was there.

"Wales are probably at the same stage. As a team, you grow and mature and learn how to handle situations. Sometimes it's just about getting the bounce of the ball, that little bit of luck.

"Get that win and it transforms a team in terms of self-belief and confidence. That is what we need at the moment."

But the question is, do Wales need a trip to New Zealand at the moment?

The reason Wales lost to South Africa was because, like so many northern hemisphere sides, they still make elementary errors when put under pressure by quality opponents. They turned over far too much possession against the Springboks and lost some of their own lineouts, too.

The world champions were "pretty ordinary" in the words of their captain John Smit - but they accepted the gifts on offer.

Wales cannot sustain pressure without making mistakes, they do not show enough variety or innovation in their attacking play behind the scrum and they lack the physicality of a side like South Africa.

In a nutshell, those were the reasons why the Springboks got off the hook in Cardiff.

But what chance does South African captain John Smit give Wales in New Zealand? The Bok veteran took a deep breath when he was asked that after the match in Cardiff and put on his diplomat's hat.

"It is not a pretty place to tour," he said. Then he adjusted that statement. "It's a pretty country to tour, but not a pretty place to tour because it is a big call. We have had to work really hard for the games we have won there and they haven't come about too often.

"Wales have got a big task, but they have got players that can get results. But it is about doing the right things at the right time.

"If they get a 15 or 16-point gap they can put the heat on even more and that will certainly give them a chance."

It surely beggars belief Wales will go 16 points up on the All Blacks. But time will tell.