Wales were firmly in the contest at 24–21 approaching the final quarter, but a surge of All Blacks pressure — helped by Welsh indiscipline — saw the game slip away, leaving Tandy frustrated by a recurring theme.
It was the third time this year Wales have conceded over 50 points in home matches.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson claimed he knew Wales would crack around the 50-minute mark and Tandy had to concede that was when the match slipped out of any grasp Wales may have held.
“We knew that, statistically, they'll be in it to 50, 60 minutes,” said Robertson.
“When you dig in, you can make things difficult and they've been through a tough sort of stage recently.”
Tandy was encouraged by much of Wales’ performance, but did not shy away from the issues that cost them.
“A couple of yellow cards doesn't help, the build-up of pressure,” he said.
“If I'm being honest, there were a couple of harsh calls. I think at 24-21 Taine Plumtree not rolling away is pretty big in the course of the game.
“I know there was a lot going on in the game but we felt a couple of moments could have gone our way.
“A lot of 50-50s fell the other side, but as a group we've got to look at ourselves. The penalty count, a couple of early offsides, we could have been better and built pressure.”
The final quarter has been an issue throughout Wales’ attempts to end seven decades of failure against New Zealand and Saturday was another example.
With debutants and several inexperienced combinations, Tandy stressed that lapses late in games were not simply about fitness, but about “pressure moments” where decision-making must hold firm.
He admitted his team must learn to exert more control, rather than allow momentum to swing away from them.
But despite the disappointing final scoreline, Tandy highlighted several positives, most notably Wales’ attacking ambition and their ability to unsettle the All Blacks.
“There's lots to be proud of and lots to see how we want to go about the game,” he said. “Some of the tries we scored were outstanding.
“Four tries equalled the record of tries we scored in Cardiff, and I think the most points scored here.”
He also praised the character of his squad, which included new caps facing the second ranked team in the world.
“Obviously there are things we need to work on,” Tandy admitted.
“But the group, the toughness and effort they put in, right through the game as a coach I'm massively proud of them.
“Ultimately, the scoreboard is not what we want and where we want to go, but the group we've got — including three debutantes against the All Blacks — is a huge effort and the boys understand where we want to go.”
One of the brightest sparks was wing Tom Rogers, who claimed a memorable hat-trick in a losing cause and showcased the attacking style Tandy hopes to build around.
“Not a bad afternoon for him,” Tandy added.
“He's a great man. When Tommy got left out of the team he was his own biggest critic realising his own performance.
“But there were only a couple of moments. The reaction for him to train on the Tuesday after being left out of the team was incredible, trying to grow his game.
“I've seen lots of learning, defensive side of the ball as well, and to score four tries and a hat-trick shows the style we want to play as well.”
