Paul Rees: Carter's style has Welsh echoes

Another match against the All Blacks, another record defeat for Wales.

What made it hardest to stomach for the home supporters was not so much the gulf between the sides, but the fact that the architect of their downfall was an outside-half who is quintessentially Welsh in style.

When Daniel Carter runs with the ball and swivels his hips, he invokes memories of Cliff Jones, Cliff Morgan and Barry John. His body seems to be taking him one way, then, with an almost imperceptible movement, he changes direction. He is as hard to read as the Old Testament in Chinese.

John was in the press box yesterday, leaving 10 minutes from the end with a shake of his head.

He is, in the eyes of many, the greatest outside half the game has ever seen because he was quick to identify and exploit the weakest point of an opponent.

He shimmered like a ghost when in possession. He was able to put others into space with ease, and his kicking out of hand, with both feet, destroyed many a fullback. He regarded tackling as an occupational hazard, unlike Carter, but he had presence.

Chris Jack was man of the match but it was Carter who turned a potentially awkward afternoon into a romp, the conductor of an orchestra that, once tuned up, left Wales flat.

Wales had talked a good game during the build-up, but apart from some resolute tackling, they were woefully deficient. They were taken apart in the set-pieces and, despite fielding a big back row, they were muscled out of it at the breakdown.

The centre combination of Ceri Sweeney and Mark Taylor did not work. The wings, Shane Williams and Kevin Morgan, were exposed physically, and although Gareth Thomas proved a stout last line of defence, Wales did not use him enough in attack and were forced to throw the ball around a long way behind the gainline.

It was not so much a clash of champions as a reminder that, though Wales have progressed since the dark decade they endured from 1988, they are still not in sight of the summit.

As much as their grand slam success was a reward for an exhilarating style, they were up against one-dimensional opponents - with the exception of France, who self-destructed against the Welsh in Paris.

The All Blacks are as liberated as the Welsh but possess a greater physical edge. Their playing resources are far richer. Much was made of Wales being without six Lions, but New Zealand not only started without Richie McCaw, Aaron Mauger, Ali Williams and Doug Howlett, but the likes of Justin Marshall, Carlos Spencer, Andrew Blowers and Bruce Reihana could not be considered for the tour.

The leading centre in Wales this season has been the New Zealander Regan King. Although Wales have a useful starting XV when all their players are available, they lack depth, and their new regional system has yet to prove it will develop players, with all four teams currently trying to solve their problems by looking abroad.

Spear tackling has been dominating headlines here in recent weeks, and there was a moment when Tony Woodcock looked to be in trouble when Brent Cockbain appeared to have been tripped up.

"It was an accident," he said. "I hit the ground hard and blacked out for a while, but it was one of those things. It was not a spear tackle."

Never mind spears, it was arrows that did the damage, with every one fired by Carter piercing the heart of the Welsh.

* Paul Rees is a rugby writer for the Guardian newspaper