Wales interim head coach Rob Howley described his side’s desperate display against Samoa as not up to international standard after a demoralising 26-19 loss in Cardiff.
Wales were awful in defeat to Argentina last weekend, and there was no improvement from the Six Nations champions, who now face the ominous task of meeting world champions New Zealand next weekend.
Fullback Leigh Halfpenny kicked four penalties and converted Ashley Beck’s first-half interception score, but it was not enough as Samoa gained revenge for their World Cup loss of 13 months’ ago.
The writing had been on the wall when Fa’atoina Autagavaia crossed for the visitors after just 64 seconds, with second-half tries from George Pisi and Johnny Leota sealing the win and Tusi Pisi kicking 11 points.
Wales could hardly claim to have been caught unawares by Samoa; the previous two meetings between the sides had seen them scrape home by 17-10 and 17-13 verdicts.
The result leaves Wales in real danger of slipping out of the top-eight in the IRB world rankings, which could leave them facing a nightmare draw for the 2015 World Cup.
“I have spoken to the players and we are obviously disappointed as a coaching team and group of players,” Howley said.
“International rugby is about discipline and when we created opportunities in the game, although we did not have many, we were disappointed in terms of our top-three inches at times.
“We were outperformed by a Samoa side whose ability to keep the ball better than us was the most disappointing aspect of the performance.”
British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland will return to take the reins next week, but the Kiwi faces a huge task to turn around Wales’ alarming demise.
But Howley believes the challenge ahead represents an ideal opportunity for Wales to get back on track.
“This group of players have been outstanding in training, but when we cross that white line our skills are not up to scratch of international rugby at this moment in time, but we will keep working hard and keep working smart and we will stick together.
“We have two good games against New Zealand and Australia to come and it is something to look forward to.”