Wales 25 - 37 New Zealand: Bradley Davies rues lost opportunity to inflict rare defeat on mighty New Zealand

Bradley Davies admitted another "mad five minutes" cost Wales dear as they began reflecting on the magnitude of Saturday's missed opportunity to beat mighty New Zealand.

Although the tourists prevailed - late tries by wing Isaia Toeava and substitute prop John Afoa proved brutally harsh on Wales - it was far from an expected All Blacks cakewalk.

It is 57 years and 24 Tests since Wales toppled the red-hot 2011 World Cup favourites, but there were times when one of rugby's rarest sights materialised - a rattled New Zealand team on the ropes.

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Wales trailed just 13-12 early in the second half, and with All Blacks forward Daniel Braid sin-binned and it was time to go for the jugular. However, Wales full-back Lee Byrne failed to find touch with a penalty, New Zealand counter- attacked and Hosea Gear claimed a killer second try.

It was, as Wales coach Warren Gatland put it afterwards, a "massive" moment in the game.

"It was the odd mistake again - a mad five minutes," said second-row forward Davies. "With 20 minutes to go, we really believed we could win. At 13-12 down and then 23-18 behind, I thought we were in with a big shout of the game. The fact they scored a try when they were down to 14 men just shows how good they are."

Scorers: Wales: Try: Byrne; Con: S Jones; Pens: S Jones 6. New Zealand: Tries: Gear 2, Muliaina, Toeava, Afoa; Cons: Carter 3; Pens: Carter 2.

Wales: Byrne, North, Shanklin, Hook, Tom James, Stephen Jones, Phillips, Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Lydiate (Powell 48), Warburton (Martyn Williams 75), Ryan Jones (Thomas 48). Subs not used: Bennett, Paul James, Richie Rees, Bishop.

New Zealand: Muliaina, Toeava, Smith, Williams (Nonu 49), Gear, Carter, Cowan, Woodcock, Mealamu (Hore 75), Owen Franks (Afoa 62), Thorn, Whitelock (Boric 55), Kaino, McCaw, Read (Braid 37).