Wales celebrate beating Australia
Wales celebrate beating Australia

Wales 9-6 Australia: Wales earn first win in 14 Tests against Wallabies


Wales finally removed the Australian albatross that has weighed heavy around their necks for over a decade, after beating the Wallabies 9-6 at the Principality Stadium.

The narrow win was Wales' first in 14 Tests against the Green and Gold, and the first time Australia have lost in Cardiff in nine Tests.

Seven defeats in their last nine matches, meant Australia arrived in the Welsh Capital desperate to continue their excellent form at the Principality, but despite fighting hard, it was Wales that eventually nicked the even contest, as the boot of Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar proved the difference.

The opening 10 minutes saw both sides probing for an attacking opportunity, with Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe making a brilliant cover tackle on Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi before Anscombe's clever attacking kick into space only narrowly failed to find a sprinting Adams.

Centre Jonathan Davies also tested Australia defensively before Wales missed a chance to go ahead when Halfpenny uncharacteristically drifted a short-range penalty wide.

It was a let-off for the Wallabies, but Wales then gained a second penalty opportunity, and Halfpenny this time made no mistake, opening the scoring after 22 minutes.

Neither side could get a consistent upper hand, but Australia drew level seven minutes before the break when fly-half Bernard Foley kicked a 40-metre penalty after Wales flanker Dan Lydiate drifted offside.

Halfpenny then missed another sitter, putting the ball wide from in front of the posts and a scrappy first half ended 3-3.

After the break, Australia, foolishly in hindsight, then sacrificed a kickable penalty just 20 metres out, kicking for touch and an attacking lineout instead. But they knocked on possession, as Wales regrouped to clear danger, and approaching the final quarter of a dour encounter, it remained all-square and crying out for a flash of inspiration.

Halfpenny then regained his composure to kick a penalty with 12 minutes left, edging Wales in front.

It set up a tense finish - Kerevi was lucky to avoid sanction for a late shoulder-led challenge on Halfpenny that forced the full-back off - and Wallabies substitute Matt Toomua then kicked an equalising penalty after Anscombe was punished for not releasing possession.

But Wales substitute Dan Biggar struck a match-winning penalty three minutes from time, and Wales were home and dry, claiming their first win against Australia for 10 years.

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