2018 Spring Tour Qantas Wallabies v Wales Principality Stadium, Cardiff Saturday 10 November 2018
Australia 6 (Bernard Foley pen, Matt Toomua pen) defeated by Wales 9 (Leigh Halfpenny 2 pens, Dan Biggar pen)
Match summary:
The Qantas Wallabies have suffered a narrow defeat to Wales in a grinding, tryless contest at Principality Stadium in Cardiff early this morning (AEDT).
Wales emerged victorious for the first time in 14 Tests against the Australians, with replacement back Dan Biggar’s 77th minute penalty goal the decisive blow in a contest that ended 9-6 in favour of the home side.
The Wallabies created enough scoring opportunities but were let down by errors at key moments, while Wales caused problems at the breakdown namely through their busy number 7, Justin Tipuric who took home man of the match honours.
Wales also squandered good attacking chances in a second half that was punctuated by errors and penalties as both sides protected their tryline.
The victory was the seventh on the trot for Wales, and their desperation was evident as they searched for their first win over the Wallabies in a decade.
Michael Hooper’s men turned down two opportunities to shoot for goal as they attempted to keep the foot on the pedal to find a breakthrough try in the second half, but eventually drew level at 6-all when Matt Toomua landed a tricky penalty goal attempt in the 75th minute.
However, just two minutes later Wales answered with another three-pointer in the game’s final scoring act.
As it happened:
22 mins: Leigh Halfpenny pen AUS 0-3 WAL
34 mins: Bernard Foley pen AUS 3-3 WAL
68 mins: Leigh Halfpenny pen AUS 3-6 WAL
75 mins: Matt Toomua pen AUS 6-6 WAL
77 mins: Dan Bigger pen AUS 6-9 WAL
Qantas Wallabies
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
14. Israel Folau
13. Samu Kerevi
12. Kurtley Beale
11. Sefa Naivalu (23. Jack Maddocks, 68 mins)
10. Bernard Foley (22. Matt To’omua, 65 mins)
9. Will Genia
8. David Pocock
7. Michael Hooper ©
6. Jack Dempsey (20. Ned Hanigan, 71 mins)
5. Adam Coleman (19. Rob Simmons, 60 mins)
4. Izack Rodda
3. Allan Alaalatoa (18. Taniela Tupou, 56 mins)
2. Tolu Latu (16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 56 mins)
1. Scott Sio (17. Sekope Kepu, 60 mins)
*replacements in brackets
Wales
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. George North
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Hadleigh Parkes
11. Josh Adams
10. Gareth Anscombe
9. Gareth Davies
8. Ross Moriarty
7. Justin Tipuric
6. Dan Lidiate
5. Alun Wyn Jones
4. Adam Beard
3. Tomas Francis
2. Ken Owens
1. Nicky Smith
Reserves:
16. Elliott Dee
17. Rob Evans
18. Dillon Lewis
19. Cory Hill
20. Ellis Jenkins
21. Tomos Williams
22. Dan Biggar
23. Liam Williams
Match Notes:
Wales first victory over Australia since 2008 Australia third loss in 15 Tests at Principality Stadium