Wallabies end woeful season on losing note

Wales have secured their first win against the Wallabies in 18 years after their impressive 24-22 victory under the roof of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday morning Australian time.

Australia outscored Wales three tries to two but the home team had the better of play set up by their scrum to record their first home win against the visitors since 1981.

Stirred by a rousing rendition of “Land of my Fathers”, Wales had over 90 precent of possession for the first ten minutes yet had only a fourth minute penalty for fly-half Stephen Jones to lead 3-0.

All the Wallabies could do in the early stages was live off scraps and when they had ball, the movements looked jittery.

Lote Tuqiri’s converted try in the 13th minute started at a lineout where a cut-out pass from Morgan Turinui to Mat Rogers who switched back inside put Tuqiri through next to the posts had Australia ahead 7-3.

During the first half both teams tried to play an attractive rugby but try-scoring opportunities went missing after some poor final passing.

The Wallabies’ poor scrum woes continued today where it was on the back foot for most of the match and tighthead David Fitter was penalised for collapsing the scrum in the 38th minute, which Stephen Jones duly kicked over bar to make it 7-6.

With the little amount of possession and field position they had in the first half, the Wallabies were lucky to be in the half-time dressing rooms ahead by one point.

Nathan Sharpe put the visitors further ahead after a Welsh turnover in their own 22 was pounced upon where after five phases full-back Chris Latham wiggled through the defence before offloading for Sharpe to cross next to the left upright.

Rogers’ conversion silenced the crowd as the Wallabies led 14-6.

In the 47th minute English referee Tony Spreadbury penalised the Wallabies for collapsing the scrum five metres from their line and had no hesitation in awarding Wales a penalty try to make the margin one point again, 14-13.

For the first time since their Six Nations grand slam earlier this year, Wales displayed the attacking form of their general support play and offload in the tackle which won them the title.

This was best seen with their second try in the 55th minute where captain Gareth Thomas ran from his 22 before passing to diminutive winger Shane Williams who then kicked ahead for Thomas to regather before passing to Williams who put paced Tuqiri down the left flank.

The home crowd found their voice as they led 18-14.

Wallaby captain George Gregan, in his 118th test cap and 50th as captain, was replaced with 24 minutes left was replaced by Chris Whitaker and whether Gregan overtakes Jason Leonard’s all test cap record of 119 Tests next year will be a continuing discussion point.

Further penalties by Jones in the 57th and 65th minutes increased the Welsh lead, 24-17.

An Australian scrum on their 40-metre line saw Tuqiri break the Stephen Jones’ tackle before he put ball onto foot with Latham then soccering it ahead before touching down for his 30th test try.

Roger’s unsuccessful conversion sailed past the left upright to keep Wales in the lead 24-22 with seven minutes left.

For the last five minutes the Wallabies attacked the Welsh defensive line but could not break through, which gave Wales their first victory over a one of the southern hemisphere Tri-Nations since 1999.

Welsh flanker Colin Charvis was man-of-the-match ahead of Williams while Australia’s George Smith work at the breakdown followed by Tuqiri and Latham were the pick of the Aussies.

In winning one-from-four matches, this is the Wallabies worst end-of-season European tour performance since 1981 and serious questions have to be asked if the Wallabies are going to maintain their record of winning the world cup on European soil in France 2007.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!