LOCK Luke Charteris admitted that the Wales players recalled for the Fiji Test fluffed their lines in the audition for spots against the All Blacks.

The former Newport Gwent Dragons captain was one of eight changes to the XV that narrowly lost to Australia in the autumn opener.

But the 31-year-old, who sat out the Wallabies encounter in order to be released by Racing Metro for the final autumn Test against South Africa, failed to grasp his opportunity.

Alun Wyn Jones is inked in to start against New Zealand on Saturday and Jake Ball appears to be in pole position to pack down next to him.

Charteris, who joined forces with Bradley Davies in the second row, lamented the error-strewn display in the 17-13 success.

"The performance from Australia dropped off considerably and it is frustrating because we had a good week in training," said forward, who will hope to win his 50th cap against New Zealand.

"I think maybe we got a bit carried away with who we were playing against and trying too many offloads and throwing the ball around.

"They were good in the contact area with a few rips but we needed to retain possession and I think if we had done that when we did we would have put them under pressure all the time.

"We wanted to go out there and put in a good performance and for a lot of parts we did against tough side.

"But as a team we let ourselves down and it will be hard for individuals to shine in that performance."

Charteris admitted a similar display next week against the All Blacks, who will bring back a raft of stars after sneaking past Scotland 24-16, will result in a drubbing.

"There wasn't a lack of effort out there from the boys, I can promise you that, there never is," he said. "But against New Zealand if we turn the ball over they will score and it will be very hard for us to be in the game."