Luke Charteris: Wales will learn from their mistakes

Nov 16 2009 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

LUKE CHARTERIS insists Wales will learn from the mistakes that are currently stalling their progress in what is proving a demanding autumn Test series.

Wales’ unconvincing 17-13 victory over Samoa – their smallest winning margin against the South Sea Islanders – did not bode well for remaining Millennium Stadium appointments with Argentina and Australia this month.

The Pumas, arguably world rugby’s most destructive scrummagers who have beaten Wales four times in their last six meetings, will rumble into Cardiff next weekend.

Newport Gwent Dragons lock Charteris, said: “We know we have to up our performance. It was a bit like the New Zealand game last weekend in that we played some sustained rugby, then made a couple of errors, lost some momentum and went back the other way.

“Until we can cut that out of our game, it’s always going to be close. We will learn from our mistakes.”

Wales cruised into an early eight-point lead and then ended the game in danger of losing it.

Seilala Mapusua’s try set alarm bells ringing, and had the visitors shown more composure, then Wales would probably have lost.