Rugby-Gatland disappointed with defeated Wales

By Phil Cadden

CARDIFF, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Coach Warren Gatland said Wales had produced their poorest performance of his two-year tenure in Saturday's 33-12 home loss to Australia.

"It's the most disappointing performance since I have been involved with Wales," Gatland told a news conference.

"Australia were the better team and deserved to win. They came here pumped up and dominated most facets of the game.

"They completely dominated the air, produced one of the best offensive displays from an Australian side, their scrum was strong and they were better than us at the contact area.

"But the four tries they scored came from our mistakes and turnover ball. We need to be more desperate as a team but today will be a huge learning experience for a lot of the younger players.

"It was a good lesson for us and we weren't good enough. As coaches we will be honest with ourselves but now it's about how we respond to the disappointment."

Wales lost British Lions wings Shane Williams and Leigh Halfpenny as well as hooker Matthew Rees to first-half injuries but Gatland said he would offer no excuses.

"It does not help to lose quality players but that's the game. It happens in rugby and I have no excuses about losing players like that," he said.