Wales coach Warren Gatland launched a scathing attack on his fringe players yesterday, demanding that they take a hard look at themselves after they slipped to a 40-7 defeat to two-time Super Rugby winners Chiefs in Hamilton.

Gatland was looking for players to stake a claim for selection for Saturday’s second Test in Wellington, particularly as he needs to replace winger George North because of his hamstring injury, but he saw little to commend as Chiefs ran in six tries.

Wales have now conceded 16 tries in three games this summer — five in the 28-13 defeat against England at Twickenham, another five in the 39-21 loss to the All Blacks last weekend and six more in Hamilton.

“It was disappointing. We asked a few questions of some players by giving them an opportunity but some of them didn’t take their chance and we weren’t clinical enough in finishing off our chances,” said Gatland.

“As a team we felt the Chiefs were tiring a bit but they defended well and when the chances came their way they were excellent. They dominated us at collision time.

“Sometimes the game of rugby is very simple — it is a physical game about collisions and they were better than us in attack and defence in that area. A lot of our players will have learned a lot from that.

“There were a number of players tonight given a chance to go out and make a statement, perform and put their hands up for selection for Saturday.

“A few questions were answered for us about the fringe players and where they are at the moment.

“Players have been asking me for an opportunity and asking me why they haven’t been selected. There are some very simple answers in the next few days with their performance.

“They have got to be honest about looking themselves in the mirror, going away, looking at that performance and what they learned from tonight and thinking about how they apply that to being better players in the future.

“We’ve got to do the same as coaches.”