Wales just lacking 'bouncebackability'

Skipper Gareth Thomas insisted Wales were back among the world's elite after they lost by the narrowest of margins when they went down 25-26 against New Zealand on Saturday.

In a thrilling game at the Millennium Stadium, the hosts were edged out after failing to win a late line-out which could have seen them force a result.

Thomas, although bitterly disappointed by the defeat, insisted he had never doubted his team's ability and praised them after they pushed the All Blacks all the way.

"I never doubted - we are back but as far as I am concerned I have always believed in the badge," Thomas told the BBC.

"We were superb today. We were a team - we want to play for each other and for the crowd.

"If I could play in any games and lose it would be in games of that calibre."

Thomas hoped the closeness of this result against one of the world's best teams, coupled with the two-point loss against South Africa a fortnight ago, would give Wales a greater sense of self-belief ahead of matches rather than just pride after the games.

"It's easy to say after the games but we need people to start believing before the games," he said.

Team-mate Colin Charvis revealed the side's disappointment - while praising the standard of the All Blacks' play.

"The guys are bitterly disappointed. Mike [Ruddock] has said a few words about holding our heads up but the guys all appear very upset," said Charvis.

"It's difficult to accept [after the South Africa defeat] and we need to show 'bouncebackability'.

"We are striving to achieve that kind of standard. When they [New Zealand] turned it on they were scoring tries with superb handling.

"We needed to show bouncebackability during the game."