Wales had the chances to take down the world champions in the opening match of the Invesco Perpetual Series, but after clawing their way to within a converted try of victory, they could not find a way beyond the whitewash at the Millennium Stadium.
Roberts, who has been named on the bench for Friday’s meeting with Canada, said: “Just a couple of seasons ago the boys would have been patting themselves on the back, it shows how much we’re developing that we’d expect to win these games now.”
Wales’ points came via five penalties, four second half scores from James Hook and one from debutant Leigh Halfpenney, and Roberts was clearly impressed, he said: “He showed what he was all about, he was outstanding.”
“It’s all about having that mental edge because the difference between winning and losing is a matter of inches in these games.”
The Cardiff Blues player knows Wales must get back to work after the disappointment of defeat to Peter de Villers’ side.
He said. “We’ve got a tough schedule and we’ve got to move on and work hard because we’ve got three big games in three weeks.”
Wales now turn to prepare for Canada on Friday evening, followed by tough tests against the All Blacks and Australia on consecutive Saturdays.
