Ryan Jones says the third quarter against New Zealand was crucial

Wales captain Ryan Jones says it is not a matter of if they will again beat New Zealand, but when.

The All Blacks claimed their 21st consecutive win against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday to continue a streak going back to 1953.

But after the latest 19-12 loss Jones told Scrum V: "It's not a case of will [we beat NZ] it's a case of when.

"It's certainly getting closer. We are certainly capable of it and it's just making that final step, isn't it?"

Wales trailed by a converted try going into the final minutes in Cardiff, but were unable to finish off their best chance after lock Alun-Wyn Jones intercepted and ran 50 metres before being hauled down.

They also had a chance to level after Shane Williams broke free in the attack that led to the game's most controversial incident - Dan Carter's high tackle on Martin Roberts, for which the New Zealander has been cited.

606: DEBATE It was obvious to most people that the AB's power was always going to prevail stirling-flanker

By that stage New Zealand had scored the game's only try, hooker Andrew Hore burrowing over in what the Wales captain says was the game's most crucial period.

He added: "The game was a fantastic Test match that was an arm-wrestle for 80 minutes. But there was that period that we got punished in and if we hadn't have had that period it would have been a very different story.

"But we're getting closer. I spoke to Dan Carter after the game and he said they were really up against it and panicking in the last five minutes.

"And you wonder if it had been a couple of minutes longer would the result have gone the other way?

"But again, they're all ifs, buts, maybes. It challenges that squad that goes out to NZ next summer… that it's primed, ready and performs to the best of their ability.

"If we keep doing that then sooner or later we'll pip one, I'm sure."

Wales play two Tests against New Zealand on that tour in June 2010 and Jones says he and his team-mates must adapt to events on the field if they are to again be competitive.

We've just got to make sure that when we play these teams we don't leave it for the review afterwards to realise what they are doing and how we combat it Ryan Jones

He said: "You always wonder, don't you? You wonder how many opportunities you've got left to win games like that.

"[I'm] bitterly disappointed to come off having run them so close and possibly deserved more.

"There were a couple of key moments that cost us. The third quarter was critical and we paid the price.

"On the other hand, [I'm] extremely proud of the boys, the way they went, to still be in the game at 75 minutes and still making an arm-wrestle of it.

"It could have been so different, but look, we're bitterly disappointed because no-one ever remembers a loser, do they?"

Jones also says both sides escaped without punishment for illegal actions at the breakdowns.

He added: "It felt like always - they lived on the edge of the… probably our side of the ruck, but that's what they do and that's what they're good at.

"It felt a bit hard done by at times, a few decisions that didn't go our way. Another week maybe it would have been refereed slightly differently.

"It's the same for both teams. We got away with a fair bit as well and we've just got to make sure that when we play these teams we don't leave it for the review afterwards to realise what they are doing and how we combat it."

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