Wales suffered their record-breaking eleventh successive Check defeat after happening 52-20 in opposition to Australia, who scored eight tries in Cardiff.
Tom Wright and Matt Faessler each crossed 3 times, whereas Nick Frost and Len Ikitau additionally went over throughout a commanding victory for the Wallabies.
Australia shortly established their authority on proceedings with three tries contained in the opening 23 minutes.
Wright cleverly danced his means via the defence, and an unchallenged Frost carried the ball half the size of the pitch to the road, whereas Faessler touched down following a sometimes sturdy lineout push.
Wales responded properly with Aaron Wainwright swivelling his means over the road, whereas the suitable boot of Gareth Anscombe lowered the deficit to 19-13 on the break.
Though Australia have been lowered to 14 males early within the second half with Samu Kerevi’s yellow card later upgraded to a purple, it was sandwiched by an extra two tries from Faessler, who accomplished his hat-trick.
Wright then grabbed his second attempt, intercepting Ben Thomas’ offload simply outdoors the Wallabies’ 22 and sprinting unchallenged to the road.
Ben Thomas stopped the rot and gave Wales one thing to cheer about when he touched down, however Australia had the ultimate phrase.
Ikitau cleverly wrong-footed Cameron Winnett to go over and, within the dying seconds, a swift turnover and counter allowed Wright to race away and seal his personal treble.
Speaking Level – Undesirable historical past for Wales
By no means earlier than of their 147-year historical past had Wales suffered 11 successive worldwide defeats.
Certainly, it has been a torrid run for Warren Gatland’s aspect since they beat Georgia eventually yr’s World Cup.
Australia’s energy was an excessive amount of to deal with as they discovered themselves 19-0 down inside 23 minutes, although the hosts rallied properly to chop the hole to 6 factors by half-time.
Their trigger additionally seemed to be aided when Kerevi was initially despatched to the sin-bin. However identical to final week in opposition to Fiji, Wales didn’t capitalise on their numerical benefit.
If something, it impressed Australia and made them stronger in a metropolis the place they’ve now gained on 10 of their final 12 visits.
Simply over 12 months after their humbling 40-6 reverse by Wales on the World Cup, it was the Wallabies inflicting the heavy defeat this time round.
With world champions South Africa awaiting subsequent weekend, Gatland’s aspect face the intense prospect of going a complete calendar yr with out successful a Check for the primary time since 1937.
Participant of the Match – Tom Wright (Australia)
One of many Wallabies’ hat-trick heroes, Wright produced an excellent show on the Principality.
A intelligent dummy paved the best way for his first attempt, whereas good anticipation to learn and intercept Ben Thomas’ offload led to his second.
He was then in the suitable place on the proper time to spherical off a swift counter within the last moments by racing to the road.
Participant Scores
Wales: Winnett 6, Rogers 7, Llewellyn 6, B. Thomas 7, Murray 7, Anscombe 6, Bevan 6; G. Thomas 6, Lake 6, Griffin 6, Rowlands 6, Beard 5, Botham 7, Morgan 6, Wainwright 7. Replacements: Elias 6, N. Smith 6, Assiratti 6, Tshiunza 6, Reffell 6, R Williams 6, Costelow 6, James 6.
Australia: Wright 9*, Kellaway 8, Ikitau 8, Kerevi 6, Jorgensen 7, Lolesio 8, White 7; Bell 7, Faessler 9, Alaalatoa 8, Frost 8, Skelton 7, Uru 7, McReight 7, Valetini 8. Replacements: Paenga-Amosa 7, Slipper 7, Nonggorr 7, Salakaia-Loto 7, Gleeson 7, McDermott 7, Donaldson N/A, Suaalii 6.
Match Highlights
14′ TRY! WALES 0-5 AUSTRALIA (WRIGHT): The Wallabies strike first in Cardiff! It is a tremendous attempt, too, because the guests construct up the phases with swift offloads. Wright then cleverly dummies away from Murray earlier than surging for the road.
17′ TRY! WALES 0-12 AUSTRALIA (FROST): The Wallabies flip the ball over after Botham spills it and shortly counter, with Frost galloping half the size of the sector unchallenged to the touch down. This time, Lolesio makes no mistake with the conversion from simply to the left of the posts.
23′ TRY! WALES 0-19 AUSTRALIA (FAESSLER): The guests have their third attempt already! They push from the lineout and Faessler touches down, with Lolesio subsequently changing.
26’ TRY! WALES 7-19 AUSTRALIA (WAINWRIGHT): The hosts desperately wanted that! Their first actual surge deep into Australian territory ultimately culminates in Wainwright swivelling over the road. Anscombe converts 5 factors into seven from in entrance of the posts.
48′ TRY! WALES 13-26 AUSTRALIA (FAESSLER): The hooker will get his second attempt of the sport! Australia push from the lineout and get themselves over the road. Lolesio converts and the Wallabies have a two-score cushion as soon as once more.
49′ RED CARD: After additional evaluations, Kerevi’s yellow card is upgraded to a purple, citing a excessive diploma of hazard together with his deal with. Australia are right down to 14 males, and Wales should look to capitalise.
54′ TRY! WALES 13-33 AUSTRALIA (FAESSLER): Hat-trick hero! As soon as once more, Australia are simply too highly effective for Wales, as Faessler surges previous Anscombe and Ben Thomas earlier than reaching for the road. Lolesio converts and, although a person gentle, the Wallabies now lead by 20 factors.
61′ TRY! WALES 13-40 AUSTRALIA (WRIGHT): Wright will get his second of the sport, and it is among the best he’ll rating. Wales seek for a means again into the sport, however Ben Thomas’ offload is brilliantly learn by the Australia full-back, who subsequently runs properly over half the size of the sector unchallenged to the touch down. Lolesio converts to take the guests to the 40-point mark.
69′ TRY! WALES 20-40 AUSTRALIA (BEN THOMAS): Lastly, Wales have one thing to cheer, as Ben Thomas ends an honest spell of strain by stretching over the road. Costelow makes no mistake with the conversion.
75’ TRY! WALES 20-47 AUSTRALIA (IKITAU): One other beautiful attempt by the Wallabies! Sturdy dealing with from the guests will get them up the pitch via a number of phases. The final of those sees Ikitau wrong-foot Winnett and go over within the nook. Lolesio converts by way of the upright.
80+1′ TRY! WALES 20-52 AUSTRALIA (WRIGHT): Wright completes his hat-trick! One last flurry from the Wallabies sees them flip the ball over and shortly break, with the full-back fully free to dash away and contact down. Lolesio can’t convert, nevertheless it does probably not matter in all honesty.
Key Stats
- Wales have suffered 11 successive worldwide defeats for the primary time of their historical past.
- Australia have now gained on 10 of their final 12 visits to Cardiff.