Byrne wants that elusive victory

Lee Byrne has urged Wales to shed their “nearly-men” tag.

Lee Byrne has urged Wales to shed their “nearly-men” tag after suffering another frustrating Millennium Stadium failure against a Tri-Nations heavyweight.

Wales' 29-9 loss to New Zealand was their 20th successive defeat at the hands of world rugby's most ruthless team.

In 33 Tests against southern hemisphere super-powers South Africa, Australia and the All Blacks during the 13-year professional era, Wales can reflect on just two victories – over South Africa (1999) and Australia (2005).

The Wallabies are next up in six days' time, when Wales must repeat their achievement of three years ago to salvage an autumn series that promised so much.

The reigning Six Nations champions looked capable of delivering for 40 minutes, leading New Zealand 9-6 through three Stephen Jones penalties at the break – but then the All Blacks stirred, posting 23 unanswered points.

Wales still haven't beaten them since 1953, and full-back star Byrne is growing fed up of the history lessons.

“Playing quite well is not good enough – we can't be the nearly men all the time,” he said.

“I am not happy when the team loses. I thought we were the better side in the first half, but they were more clinical than us after that.

“That was probably the best 40 minutes they've faced on this tour, and we will take away something from that, but it is still not good enough – we want to be an 80-minute team.

“Rugby is about playing for 80 minutes, and we are not there at the moment.”

Unlike against South Africa a fortnight earlier, Wales started like men possessed after setting the tone by staging a memorable stand-off to New Zealand's traditional Haka.

As the All Blacks completed their famous pre-match routine and waited for Wales to disperse for kick-off, so skipper Ryan Jones and his team remained in a defiant line 10 metres away, staring down their illustrious opponents.

The crowd went wild, with captain Richie McCaw leading a similarly steely-eyed response by New Zealand. It was pure theatre, even if referee Jonathan Kaplan did not quite know where to look.

For Wales though, it had the desired effect as they tore into New Zealand through outstanding contributions from the likes of Byrne, Jones and powerful midfield newcomer Jamie Roberts.

But a three-point interval lead was never going to be enough against a team that is now just a win away from completing another successful grand slam tour.

Scotland, Ireland and Wales contributed just 18 points and no tries between them, so what price a shell-shocked England team gatecrashing New Zealand's party?

“It would take a brave man to bet against the All Blacks,” said Wales flanker Martyn Williams, sporting a huge shiner below his left eye following an accidental clash of heads with team-mate Gethin Jenkins.

“They've got strength in depth, and they seem to be on fire at the moment.

“We had a great first half, but for the first 15 minutes of the second half we couldn't get our hands on the ball.

“We then tired a little in defence and New Zealand are so clinical – half a chance, and they took it.

“It's so difficult to find a weakness there. Their scrum is awesome, the lineout is good, and it's just everything about them. They are so efficient in everything they do.

“Over the past 18 months, that was the best we have played in a first half, but it is a difficult game without the ball, and we found that out in the second 40 minutes.

“You only get one or two chances against the top sides, and you've got to take them.

“Their first try was probably the first chance they had all game, and they took it straight away. You look at the scoreboard, you haven't really done a lot wrong and you are 16-9 behind.

“We can cope physically, but it is about learning mental intensity.

“You've got to go for 80 minutes against these teams – if you switch off for a split second, you are standing behind your posts.”

That is easier said than done, though, when New Zealand perform with such pinpoint accuracy, admirable technique and watertight discipline.

Ringmaster Dan Carter ran the show, with his 19-point haul from five penalties and two conversions giving him a total of 92 in five appearances against Wales, while centre Ma'a Nonu and flanker Jerome Kaino scored tries.

Nonu's came when two Welsh players – Byrne and lock Ian Evans – were down injured.

Byrne, who was unintentionally trodden on by colleague Roberts, recovered quickly, but Evans did not, after suffering a knee ligament injury that will sideline him for the Wallabies Test.

Wales did not deserve a 20-point defeat after giving it their all, but New Zealand were spectacular when they clicked, exorcising memories of their World Cup quarter-final defeat against France in Cardiff 13 months ago.

“We brought the best out of the All Blacks, which is what we wanted to do,” Wales head coach Warren Gatland said.

“They are clearly the best side in the world, and I am pleased that we showed if we can do it for longer periods, then we are not too far away. We will take a lot of learning from that.

“We had South Africa a fortnight ago, New Zealand this weekend and Australia next Saturday, and you only get better by playing the best teams.”