Australia vs Wales Test: Key moments

 

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By The Roar, 9 Jun 2012

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 Australia rugby, Rugby Union, Wales rugby, wallabies

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The key moments of the first Test between Australia and Wales at Brisbane.

First Half: The Wallabies looked far more composed than against Scotland and had Wales under heavy pressure throughout the first half, but didn’t put as many points on the board as they might have hoped.

6′ Wallabies win their own lineout on the 22m line. After an offside penalty, advantage is played by referee Craig Joubert and with no real progress made by the Wallabies, the whistle blows. Berrick Barnes will look to take three points and slots it home. Australia 3 – Wales 0.

10′ Big hole in the middle of the ground exploited by Wales as Rhys Priestland and Leigh Halfpenny combine to make a break untouched, but Wallabies scramble in defence and force a Wales fumble. A let off for Australia.

13′ Kicking duel between the backs results in Barnes kicking one high, and pressure from Ioane on the Welsh forces a dropped ball. Horne toes ahead to win possession right on the Welsh line, who are at sixes and sevens. The ball is spread wide to the left and Horne and Ashley-Coooper have an overlap on the wing but a huge ball-and-all tackle by Cuthbert on Horne causes him to drop it cold. A big let off for Wales – certain try saved by Cuthbert. In hindsight, Horne should have passed.

15′ Wallabies have some clean possession and the forwards crash it up and through the Welsh defence. Palu storms the ball forward and it’s fast, easy yards up the middle via the pick and drive. The Welsh can’t coordinate their defence and right on the line Scott Higginbotham drives forward and over the line! TRY! Barnes converts. Australia 10 Wales 0.

The Australians are getting very fast ruck ball. The Welsh must slow this down to compete in the game.

23′ Penalty to Wales – McCabe not standing on his feet and Halfpenny boots it over to bring the gap back to seven. Australia 10 Wales 3.

- A Cooper Vuna tackle on George North has resulted in a corked thigh and he’s off. Vuna may have rubbed him out of the game. How much will that hurt Wales?

30′ Craig Joubert penalises the Wallabies for not rolling away and Wales go into attack, but they lose it and handling errors are costing the Welsh here.

34′ Warburton is penalised and the referee marches the Welsh an extra 10m after they kick the ball away. Barnes has a shot at goal, but it hits the left upright and rebounds into play. Australia 10 Wales 3.

38′ Wales with possession and attacking the Wallabies in their own half and stringing phases together, but Australia work hard to turnover the ball and Wales hold on and it’s a penalty to Australia who clear it long.

HALFTIME: Australia 10 – Wales 3

Roar columnist Paul Cully tweets: “Australia good, Wales average. And no Gatland to steady the ship.” (Welsh coach Warren Gatland is nursing broken ankles after falling from a ladder).

SECOND HALF

42′ Will Genia! TRY! Wonderful run by the halfback. Quick ball from the breakdown and Genia stands up Hook to put it down under the posts. Wonderful quick skill and Barnes kicks it over. Australia 17 Wales 3

45′ Wales win a penalty after a tough call on Palu for not releasing. Kicked by Halfpenny and Wales claw back three. Australia 17 Wales 6

50′ Australia push the attack after a wonderful moment of play as Barnes kicks deep and Cooper Vuna shows his pace to run down the ball just as the Welsh collect and he drags the defender into touch. The Wallabies win their lineout and the ball is pushed back to Barnes who pots a simple drop goal under little pressure. Australia stretch the lead back out to 14 – Australia 20 Wales 6.

52′ Welsh make three changes at once, with Toby Faletau, Ken Owens and Luke Charteris being replaced.

54′ Advantage played for Wales and is called back for a penalty. Nasty moment with a headclash between Polota Nau and Scott Williams. Both are removed before Halfpenny can convert. Australia 20 Wales 9.

57′ Wales stretch the Wallabies defence and Alex Cuthbert bursts through onto a ball popped up by replacement Ashley Beck and he’s in! Try to Wales! Halfpenny converts again and here come the Welsh. Australia 20 Wales 16.

62′ Wales push the attack again – they look reborn – and a kick through is fumbled by Australia and after some quick phases Joubert penalises Australia after playing advantage. Halfpenny has another chance for a penalty goal and he doesn’t miss. It’s a one-point game: Australia 20 Wales 19.

65′ Genia kicks ahead and it goes out on the full – but the ball was touched by a Welsh player in a let-off.

67′ Australia on the attack again with quick ball, and McCabe is put through a hole as he runs a good line through the Welsh and he puts it down under the posts! Barnes converts and Australia get some breathing room: Australia 27 Wales 19.

73′ Cuthbert looks to streak away down the right after some nice Welsh play but Higginbotham drags him down. Big moment tackle!

76′ Barnes misses a kick on goal – hits the post again! Scoreline remains Australia 27 – Wales 19.

FULLTIME – the final minutes are scrappy and, fittingly, Genia kicks it out. Australia have won: 27 to 19 over the Welsh.

Key player: Will Genia. Had one of the finest performances of an Australian halfback in recent memory. Fast, intelligent ball delivered, and he attacked the line brilliantly, time and time again splitting open the Welsh.

Crowd: 42,788

Read more: > Live blog of the match | Match report.

What was your key moment in the game?

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