Wales defeats due to infighting and psychology, says Fiji coach

Wales have now lost 25 of their 26 matches under Warren Gatland against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa

Fiji coach John McKee believes "conflict" and psychology have contributed to Wales' failure to beat the southern hemisphere's top sides.

Warren Gatland's side have won just once in 26 matches against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

McKee said Wales face "a psychological barrier" after a 10th consecutive defeat to the Wallabies on Saturday.

He added that the historic dispute between the Welsh Rugby Union and the regions "must affect" the players.

Nearly 18 months of conflict between the two camps ended in August when the six-year Rugby Services Agreement was signed.

The row cast uncertainty over the playing future of several players, including Wales captain Sam Warburton and prop Adam Jones - both British and Irish Lions.

Jones was forced to train on his own during the summer, while Warburton's playing time at Cardiff Blues is now limited under his dual-contract.

"There always seems to be a conflict in Welsh rugby between the regions and the national body. That can't be good for the players," said McKee.

"That's the challenge in the northern hemisphere, for the professional game and the international game to work together."

Since beating Australia in 2008, Gatland's side have lost by fewer than 10 points in their last nine matches against the Wallabies.

"They seem to have incredibly close results time and time again [but] Wales just come out on the wrong side.

"Maybe there's a little bit of a psychological barrier there for them."

Although Wales have their France-based players available to face South Africa on 29 November, only George North of the England-based group can do so.

Gatland will be without hooker Richard Hibbard, prop Paul James and lock Bradley Davies as the match falls outside the International Rugby Board window.

Gatland faces the same problem each season and McKee says it undermines Wales' chances of beating the top sides.

"New Zealand and Australia have better access to their players because of the structures of the competition there," said the former Australia academy coach.

"They have much more control over their players and more access to their players."

McKee has made five changes to the Fiji team that lost 40-15 to France last weekend for Saturday's match against Wales.

The Pacific Islanders' last visit to the Millennium Stadium was in 2010 and ended in a 16-16 draw, although the South Sea Islanders were beaten 66-0 by Wales at the 2011 World Cup.

"It's one of the great places to play rugby. It's a motivation for performance but also for the players to soak up the atmosphere," said McKee.

"[But] if we can exert enough pressure maybe we can find some chinks in there."