Australia (23) 36
Tries: Daugunu (2), Gordon, Alaalatoa Cons: Lolesio (2) Pens: Lolesio (3), Donaldson
Wales (14) 28
Tries: Lake (2), L Williams, Dyer Cons: Thomas (4) Pens:
Eight try’s in all were shared as Wales showed a stronger performance offensively with their set-piece particularly effective. Ospreys hooker Dewi Lake going over twice in the first half utalising a powerful driving maul, whilst wings Liam Williams and Rio Dyer both took chances in the second to give Wales hope.
Ultimately, the Aussies though would be clinical with the opportunities that they would create and and despite the Welsh starting strongly it would be the Wallabies who would edge the contest making less mistakes.
Neat tries would be scored early through wing Filipo Daugunu and Scrum-half Jake Gordon as they would race into an early 13 point lead before Wales would fight-back.
Marginal inaccuracies would be the killing blow for Wales as prop Allan Alaalatoa then added a third try after the break, but it would be Daugunu’s second late on that would be the final nail in the coffin late on with Gatland’s side, despite a bright performance, would be beaten.
Wales had come into the game looking to end an eight-match losing streak but to do that they would have to do something they had not done in over half a century – win in Australia. It would be 1969 since the last victory in the southern hemisphere.
Having been error-strewn last weekend in the 25-16 loss in Sydney, they would come into the game knowing they would have to show better discipline to get anything out of the test.
Any chance of an upset, however, would have to be achieved without one of their stronger performers on the day in number eight Aaron Wainwright – ruled for four months with a hamstring tear.
Head coach Gatland reacted by making two changes to his squad with Cardiff duo Cameron Winnett and flanker James Botham coming in a full back and on the flank respectively. Scarlets Taine Plumtree would move to eight to cover for Wainwright, whilst Williams would start on the wing in place of last weeks debutant Josh Hathaway.
In wet and sticky conditions Wales would start the brighter of the two sides playing positively on the front-foot.
It would be, however, the Wallabies who would strike first blood with superb execution. With Wales in the Australia twenty-two, the home side would produce a quick turnover to launch a counter attack. Flanker Fraser McReight launching the attack to gallop half the field to release a supporting Daugunu for an easy finish.
Wales would toil and would have moments with Plumtree going close as play would continue to be in the Aussies half for the best part of the half.
Joe Smidt’s side though would be clinical in execution and would once more punish mistakes against the run of play with a second try to extend the scoreline. Winnett misjudging a high ball allowing Gordon to pounce. The Aussie scrum-half kicking ahead and collecting to score.
With the scoreline starting to move away from the visitors, like the previous weekend, Wales would come back into the contest with their most effective weapon – their driving line-out. Ospreys hooker Lake at the heart of the maul to power over the line.
The try would galvanise the Welsh who would continue to press and when the Wallabies would be reduced to 14 with Salakaia-Loto sent to the bin for dangerous play tails would be up.
Fly-half Ben Thomas finding the corner with the resulting penalty with the Welsh set-piece once again bearing fruits from the following line-out. Lake once again benefiting as the Aussies would have no answer to an immaculately executed maul.
Wales would carry the momentum into the second half and would pull back to within a score of their much-fancied opposition.
Carrying much stronger than they would in their previous encounter, Plumtree and Thomas would pin the Wallabies back, before Williams would finish a cleverly disguised pass from Winnett to score his 21st test try on his 13th attempt against the southern hemisphere side.
Unflustered, Australia would hit back following a penalty after ill-discipline from Williams had give the home side positional advantage. Replacement prop Alaalatoa barging over from close-range to score his first try for is nation in more than 70 appearances.
It would swing momentum in favour of Smidt’s team as the Aussie’s would show greater desire in the final quarter to gain territory. A lack of concentration would, however, be the killer blow for Wales as the Wallabies would score a crucial fourth try. Wing Daugunu running into the corner to score for his second of the afternoon.
Wales would not be finished though and when Christ Tshiunza blocked Nic White’s kick the ball would become loose. Dyer would still have work to be done but would fight through three challenges to score in the opposite corner to give his side a chance in the closing stages.
The try would lead to a grandstand finish with the next score likely to be decisive. It would though come to Australia and the boot of replacement fly-half Ben Donaldson to coolly slot a penalty over from 25-yards to break Welsh hearts and seal the result.
Wales captain Dewi Lake speaking after the final whistle said:
“Inaccuracy probably just cost us.
“We knew the kick game was coming with this weather, and a couple of scraps that they worked hard on.
“We never gave up, we’ve got that never say die attitude, but being a young team isn’t a good enough excuse at Test level.
“That’s something that we’ve got to change, but it’s never a question of intent or hard work, the boys will do that, it’s just finishing off our opportunities.”
Australia XV:
Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; James Slipper (captain), Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Charlie Cale.
Replacements:
Josh Nasser, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Langi Gleeson, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch.
Wales XV:
Cameron Winnett, Liam Williams, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer, Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan, Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (captain), Archie Griffin, Christ Tshiunza, Dafydd Jenkins, James Botham, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree.
Replacements:
Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O’Connor, Cory Hill, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
