Wales reach nadir as Warren Gatland can't find the answers in Australia rout

It's now official. This is Wales' worst ever losing run, with Australia inflicting an 11th straight defeat on Warren Gatland's men.

But this is unlikely to be Wales' nadir this autumn, and if, or when, they are beaten by South Africa next weekend this will be the first time since 1937 they have gone through a whole calendar year without a victory. When you consider the class of 1937 only played three games, it gives you an indication of how deep-rooted Wales' problems are.

When Wales toured Australia over the summer they lost both Test matches by nine points and eight points, respectively, and could well have won at least one of those matches. But the Wallabies are on an upward trajectory and have improved immeasurably in the space of five months, while Wales have been on a steep downward spiral.

It would be remiss to put all of Wales' problems on Gatland's head, with the Welsh Rugby Union mismanagement of the professional game coming home to roost. There is talent in this Wales side but there is a lack of leaders, while the current crop of players are not at the same level as the previous generation.

But putting Welsh rugby's wider problems to one side, Gatland is the head coach and there is no doubting he is under intense pressure. You can follow Gatland's press conference live here.

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This was a performance full of courage and determination but they simply do not have the collective power to compete with the top sides. Gatland is contracted until the 2027 Rugby World Cup but his position is likely to come under heavy scrutiny when the WRU assess Wales' autumn campaign. Wales played well in patches but are unable to sustain pressure while they were horribly inaccurate throughout.

Historically, Gatland's sides have been very difficult to break down but they are now an easy side to score against and there is undoubtedly a soft underbelly within this squad. The fact Wales conceded three tries and 21 points while Australia were down to 14 men after Samu Kerevi's red card tells a story in itself.

Wales are too easily bullied and have not got enough carriers in their side. Joe Schmidt has significantly improved Australia in a short period of time but it doesn't look as if Gatland has the answers or the players to turn Wales around.

The difference between both sides was at its starkest in the opening quarter of the game. Both sides went through multiple phases but when the Wallabies had their hands on the ball they got over the gain line with ease and as a result they found space out wide.

With the visitors winning the collisions, Wales were unable to slow them down sufficiently at the breakdown. At 19-0 down Wales were staring into the abyss, but to their credit they dug deep and showed some real character to drag themselves back into the game.

It is hard for pick out positives after such a heavy defeat but if there was one it was the scrum. Young tighthead Archie Griffin had a fine game both in the tight and around the park.

Wales' first try came off the back of a dominant scrum while Griffin had his much-vaunted opposite number Angus Bell in a lot of trouble in the scrum. The Bath prop made a positive impression on Gatland and his coaching team on the summer tour of Australia with his enormous work rate in defence.

But this was Griffin's best performance at the scrum and the 23-year-old also made headway with his carrying and one huge surge forward in the Australian 22 set the platform for Wales' opening try. Griffin gave Bell such a torrid time he was replaced at half-time by world rugby's most capped prop James Slipper. Backrower James Botham and wing Tom Rogers had strong games, while Ben Thomas showed glimpses of his potential.

But at the end of the day, Test match rugby is not about learning it is about performing and too many players have been found badly wanting. The facts are there in black and white.

Wales conceded eight tries and shipped 52 points and are further away than they've ever been of competing with the world's best sides. They are well and truly back in the doldrums.

The onus is now on Gatland and the WRU to drag them out of it but whether the New Zealander is still in post at the start of the Six Nations remains to be seen.