Mike Phillips has called for Wales to be stronger mentally against New Zealand
Sunday 18 November 2012 13:56, UK
Image:Mike Phillips: Offers no excuses and has called for team-mates to be stronger mentally
Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips have offered no excuses for the team's poor form and called on his team-mates to be stronger mentally.
Basics
Wales' 26-19 loss to Samoa means the nation are five Tests without a win since they beat the Barbarians on June 2 - one more defeat would make it their longest losing run for 10 years.
Phillips knows their display in Friday's 26-19 defeat was not up to scratch and that it is important the team start getting the basics right.
"You have to get the basics of rugby right," he continued. "We have to improve these things.
"We are obviously devastated. It was really poor (against Samoa) and we just weren't good enough.
"There were too many errors, our discipline wasn't good enough and we gave away too many penalties. They came to spoil the breakdown and kick the ball, but it's just really disappointing.
"The players on the pitch have to stand up. We are making silly mistakes, dropping the ball, giving silly penalties away. It is fine margins, and it's the players that have to stand up."
