Mike Phillips has rallied Wales for the remainder of their autumn campaign after they suffered a “devastating” defeat against South Africa.
Wales’ long barren run against the southern hemisphere heavyweights South Africa, New Zealand and Australia now stands at 17 successive losses, while, remarkably, it is four years since they won a November international in Cardiff.
Those are statistics to hurt any team, let alone one that has recently dominated European rugby through winning two RBS 6 Nations titles on the bounce.
While Wales gave it everything, trailing by just two points until the 65th minute despite seeing four players go off injured, South Africa’s searing firepower in attack ultimately proved too much as a 3-0 try count underpinned their 24-15 victory.
“I am bitterly disappointed,” scrum-half Phillips said.
“We are used to winning here in Wales and we really felt that we could go out there and create an upset.
“Everybody gave it everything. We came back really well in the second half, but we just felt that there were one or two lapses in concentration and the game was gone from us.”
Argentina – Wales’ last autumn scalp in 2009 – are next up in six days’ time, followed by Tonga and then Australia, although the first priority for coach Warren Gatland will be to assess an alarming casualty count.
Centre Jonathan Davies is already out of those fixtures due to a chest injury, while prop Adam Jones (calf muscle) could conceivably join him on the sidelines.
Wing Liam Williams and substitute prop Scott Andrews were Wales’ other early departures.
Argentina, beaten emphatically by England on Saturday and unquestionably feeling the effects of a punishing Rugby Championship campaign, comfortably defeated Wales at the Millennium Stadium last year.
A repeat performance from the Pumas next weekend appears unlikely, but Wales know they must regroup quickly – mentally and physically – in order to kick-start the November series.