WARREN Gatland is confident that Wales will claim an elusive southern hemisphere scalp if they repeat the aggressive performance that "rattled" the world champions.

New Zealand's late burst secured a 34-16 win that means Wales' winless streak against the big three has stretched to 22 games.

They have one last shot this autumn when they welcome South Africa to Millennium Stadium and Gatland believes his battered and bruised charges can finish on a high.

"I don't think it will be (a task to lift the players)," he said. "Shaun Edwards (defence coach) spoke to the players in the changing room afterwards and asked that question.

"The response was that if we produce that same level of intensity and commitment we are good enough to win.

"It was great the players responded in that manner and to make sure we are capable of putting South Africa under the same sort of pressure."

"New Zealand have been together for the last nine weeks on the road but there were periods where we rattled them and they looked rattled," he continued.

"We put them under some pressure and they came out the other end - and that's why they are the best team in the world."

Talk of learning the lessons from playing the best is becoming tiresome yet Gatland repeated his mantra that it will serve his charges well.

"We have grasped every opportunity to try and play New Zealand, South Africa and Australia because that is the way we get better," he said.

"Playing in that sort of hot atmosphere and intensity of international rugby that's the way these players will continually improve and getting exposed to that kind of pressure against the best teams in the world.

"That's all we can hopefully look to do and learn from those experiences and be smarter next time."

Captain Sam Warburton, who was at the heart of a superb defensive display, lamented the poor finish.

"The most important part of a Test match is the last 10 minutes, and that's where we need to improve," said the openside.

"You've got to give New Zealand credit for the way they played the last 10 minutes, they put the ball through hands and got a couple of tries.

"I'm still very proud of the effort of the players. If we take the same effort and energy into next week we'll come away with a win I'm sure."