Wallabies too slick for Wales
Australia ran in three tries as they kicked off their European tour with a 25-16 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
Last Updated: 06/11/10 5:12pm
Australia ran in three tries as they kicked off their European tour with a 25-16 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
David Pocock, Kurtley Beale and Ben Alexander all touched down for the Wallabies who produced some dazzling running rugby at times in Cardiff.
However, their scrummaging left plenty to be desired as they were repeatedly overpowered and outmanoeuvred by the Welsh pack.
Wales, though, could not turn that forward dominance into points and had just a converted Richie Rees try and three Stephen Jones penlaties to show for their efforts as Australia ran out worthy winners.
The hosts made the ideal start and were on the board with a little over a minute gone as Saia Fainga'a was spotted using hands on the floor allowing Stephen Jones to kick an early penalty.
The lead was a short-lived one though as Australia hit back five minutes later with their opening try.
After a period of sustained pressure deep in Wales territory, Will Genia was held up just short of the line but the scrum-half was on hand once the ball was recycled to dart and then offload to Pocock who crashed over under the sticks - O'Connor adding the conversion.
But the Australians could not build on that score and it was Wales who more than matched their opponents with a dogged and robust display, especially from their forwards.
It paid dividends just past the half-hour mark when they were awarded a penalty at a line-out some ten yards from the Australian line after Mark Chisholm was pinged for interfering at the jump.
Having considered a scrum, they opted to kick for goal and Jones - who had earlier missed with another chance - reduced the deficit to one point.
High tackles
O'Connor and Jones then both failed to find the target with penalties after first Tom Shanklin and then Quade Cooper were called for high tackles.
Shortly before the break Genia almost burrowed over for Australia's second try only to be penalised for a double-movement as he attempted to get over the line.
But it was the Wallabies who struck first after the interval with their rapier counter-attacking play catching Wales cold.
It was Pocock who won turnover ball inside his own half and, while Beale was initially fortunate to see his deflected kick go straight to Benn Robinson, it was the full-back who eventually finished a flowing move as he accepted O'Connor's inside pass to dive over.
Australia's poor scrummaging was again exposed on 52 minutes as they were blown for collapsing a scrum, allowing Jones to kick a long-range penalty to make the score 14-9.
Beale almost scored a brilliant individual second try as he beat Mike Phillips to a high ball before sending a cheeky kick around James Hook, but the marauding full-back could not quite collect and touch down under pressure from the retreating Hook.
Counter-attack
The Australians did chalk up their third try shortly afterwards following another turnover.
This time it was Genia who launched the attack with a line-break and the ball was then spun quickly from left to right before O'Connor fed inside to prop Ben Alexander who crashed over for his first international try.
Shanklin was sin-binned on 64 minutes for an early tackle on Pocock, who was on the shoulder of O'Connor following a pacy burst from the winger - O'Connor kicked the subsequent penalty to edge his side 22-9 ahead.
Wales appeared to be out of the contest, but gave themselves renewed hope ten minutes from time courtesy of Rees' try.
After Alun Wyn Jones was adjudged by the video referee not to have got the ball down over the line, a series of five-metre scrums ensued and Australia were on the verge of conceding a penalty try after repeatedly collapsing.
On their final warning they produced an improved shove, but Wales managed to get over anyway as Rees accepted a short pass off the back of the scrum before darting to the line - substitute Dan Biggar landed the conversion to take his side within six points at 22-16.
But in their attempts to find another score they were caught offside in front of their own posts, allowing O'Connor to kick a penalty which ensured Australia could breath easy for the final five minutes.
