George North has admitted Wales fell short of hitting their target in a demanding autumn Test series.
Wales wound up the November programme with a 30-26 defeat against Australia, which came three weeks after they lost 24-15 to South Africa.
Across both games, the reigning RBS 6 Nations champions conceded six tries and scored just two, with their run of defeats against major southern hemisphere opposition now standing at 18 Tests.
Those losses sandwiched comfortable victories over Argentina and Tonga, but Wales will head into this season's Six Nations title defence still without a win against the so-called big-three teams - New Zealand, South Africa and Australia - since 2008.
"We set a target of three out of four [autumn wins] and unfortunately didn't get that," said Wales wing North, who scored both of his team's tries against Australia, the second after he switched to centre when Owen Williams went off injured.
"Looking at the four games, we have had some good performances to push South Africa and Australia, but again we have to crack on. There is a lot of rugby to be played between now and the [2015] World Cup, so we can't think into it too much. "We have to start [the Six Nations] with the same intensity as in this campaign, and I am sure we can retain the title."
Wales will launch their quest for an unprecedented hat-trick of Six Nations crowns against Italy on February 1, but question marks remain about any pedigree as genuine World Cup contenders.
The Wales captain Sam Warburton said during the build-up to facing Australia that his team cannot enjoy such exalted status until they start claiming southern hemisphere scalps, but another gilt-edged opportunity has now eluded them.
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