Howlett and the backs of the future offer sharp reminders

The final score was so cruel to Wales, but even they have to acknowledge the quality of the side they met yesterday. This was such a mighty match that there was credit and glory for everyone, but the bulk of it has to go to New Zealand. They put out a young and inexperienced side and yet still managed to look world class. You just have to imagine what they'll be like at full strength on the dry grounds in Australia in the World Cup next year. It hardly bears thinking about.

And there will be a few of these youngsters in their team by then. This was the most creative back-line I've seen since the game went professional seven years ago. All the more credit to Wales for holding them for so long. There's certainly nothing for them to be ashamed of and they and their coach Steve Hansen must come out of it full of pride and positive thoughts.

It has been an encouraging autumn series for Wales and it will prove, if proof was still needed, how vital it is for Wales to improve the standard of their domestic game.

Yesterday's action was played at such a pace for the full 80 minutes, plus a generous slab of overtime, that the Welsh players couldn't maintain it near the end. If they could play at or near that level of intensity every week they would be able to make the substantial improvements they need to compete at the top level.

I shall for long treasure the memory of a determined Welsh pack shoving the All Blacks back so fiercely that they conceded a penalty try. That was a magic moment and it occurred near the end of normal time and took Wales to 17-22 and looking ready to mount a big finale.

To suffer the loss then of 19 points in six or seven minutes was a body blow they did not really deserve and it probably said more about failing stamina than anything else. You certainly could not fault their defence before that final collapse. Defensive coach Clive Griffiths has done a great job in building their organisation and awareness. The only downside was that when they gained the ball they kicked so much of it away.

Wales have some excellent creative pace themselves but they didn't seem to have the belief to go at the New Zealand defence. That's another strength that would come from playing more rugby at this pace. You have to maximise your possession because if you don't you'll give too much ball away and that's suicide against a team with so many strike runners.

You need patience and the organisation to keep the ball and build attacks that will eventually find a way through. That's what the All Blacks are great at doing. After losing to England and drawing in France, the pressure was on them yesterday and Wales were so good at scrambling defence New Zealand must have been frustrated to be behind at the interval, even if it was only by one point.

A big blow to Wales came 10 minutes or so into the second half when Doug Howlett scored a crucial try after a blatant forward pass from Tana Umaga was missed by referee Tappe Henning. That took the score to 10-22 and there would not have been many who gave them a chance of getting back into the game. But they did in some style before the final flourish of Howlett, who gave us no reason to doubt his country's claim that he is the fastest winger in the world.

There are a few others in the back division to look out for. Ben Blair impressed me and Regan King is a superb prospect. Andrew Mehrtens is a bit special, too.

If any of our sides need any incentive to spice up their preparations for the World Cup they need only think of this New Zealand team being reinforced and reinvigorated by then. But Wales can join the rest of the northern hemisphere teams in gaining plenty of knowledge and encouragement from this autumn's activity.