Warren Gatland and Wales ended their hoodoo against the southern hemisphere superpowers on the weekend and the head coach admits his side have taken a big step forwards in their 2015 World Cup preparations.
Wales emerged 12-6 winners as Leigh Halfpenny, player of the series for the British & Irish Lions as they beat Australia in the summer of 2013, kicked all of their points.
The victory was Wales’ first against the big three of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in 22 attempts and will give Gatland and co a huge confidence boost.
And the Lions head coach from last year is confident that there is more still to come with the World Cup less than a year away.
“It’s nice to win, we’ve wounded one of the big beasts. It’s one of the stepping stones to what we’re trying to achieve,” said Gatland.
“The long-term goal is to win the World Cup.
“And I think we’re good enough to do that if we get the bounce of the ball, and a couple of things go our way.
“[But] it’s going to take a lot of hard work between now and the next eight to ten months.”
