Gatland says 'it's where we are' as Wales hit new low

Head coach Warren Gatland says it is "just wherever we are astatine nan moment" aft Wales slumped to statistically their worst position successful World Rugby's rankings.

Wales' caller debased spot of 11th intends they person slipped extracurricular nan apical 10 for nan first clip since nan rankings were introduced successful 2003.

The 25-16 conclusion to Australia successful Sydney was an eighth successive nonaccomplishment for Wales.

It besides represented a 14th conclusion successful 20 games during Gatland's 2nd stint arsenic caput coach.

"We cognize wherever we are astatine nan moment, we're processing this team," said Gatland.

"We said each on and person been upfront successful what we're trying to do.

"I dream group tin spot immoderate improvement successful position of nan players and acquisition pinch what we're trying to do towards nan adjacent World Cup.

"I understand you are going to get unit from group talking astir a losing tally astatine nan moment.

"But successful that tally we've been successful games, been successful beforehand and easy could person won a few, and tonight's nan same.

"I thought location were immoderate positives successful position of what we're trying to do. A spot much accuracy, you get decisions which spell your measurement and you win.

"Those are large moments we request to study from to make judge successful those tight matches, you extremity connected nan winning side."

Gatland questioned immoderate of nan refereeing decisions, including a James Botham second-half people that was ruled retired for obstruction.

"I request to get immoderate clarity connected nan disallowed effort from nan maul, we would person had a conversion to spell successful front," said Gatland.

"It's wherever we are astatine nan moment, we're not getting immoderate 50-50 calls and we conscionable person to activity done that."

Australia caput coach Joe Schmidt is adamant nan correct determination was made by French referee Pierre Brousset and his officials.

“It is really clear," said Schmidt.

"The rule says whoever rips nan shot has to beryllium connected to nan jumper and location is clear aerial there.

"There are 4 lucifer officials who made that decision, not me, truthful I will conscionable time off it pinch them.

"It looked beautiful unequivocal successful their mind. Those are nan decisions we do not person immoderate power over.

"Sometimes things hap and you conscionable person to get connected and play nan game.

"I had immoderate experiences past twelvemonth wherever you felt you didn't get nan swipe of nan greenish and you conscionable person to deterioration that and get connected pinch nan game."

Wales person concerns complete injured full-back Liam Williams, prop Gareth Thomas and number 8 Aaron Wainwright earlier nan 2nd Test successful Melbourne adjacent Saturday.

Gatland says he does not deliberation he will person to assistance nan sprits of nan squad arsenic they purpose to level nan series.

"I don't deliberation we person to raise them," said Gatland.

"The measurement nan boys person trained this week and nan buzz astir them, they've been outstanding.

"We cognize we're going done a process playing astatine nan highest level, which is astir learning to grip immoderate pressure.

"I person been done that pinch different teams successful nan past.

"When you triumph once, you build assurance and study really to adjacent retired games.

"There's a batch of inexperienced players going done that process.

"It's astir taking nan lessons from coming and applying them and beryllium amended adjacent week."