The Wallabies have ended their spring tour in spectacular fashion with a commanding 33-12 victory over Wales in Cardiff.
Stung by last week’s sobering loss to Scotland at Murrayfield, the Wallabies rebounded with their biggest win over Wales since 1996.
In an utterly dominant performance, the Australians ran in four unanswered tries to silence the 74,339-strong crowd at Millennium Stadium.
The Wallabies had stars all over the park, none more so than dynamic halfback Will Genia and inspirational captain Rocky Elsom, who both produced mighty all-round performances.
Matt Giteau delivered a masterclass from five-eighth, putting last week’s Murrayfield disappointment behind him to terrorise the Welsh, who badly missed injured captain Ryan Jones and then lost world player of the year Shane Williams in the fifth minute with a hamstring tear.
Giteau finished a deserving man of the match after having a hand or boot in three Australian tries, while also controlling the game beautifully with a clever and well-executed tactical kicking game and tackling everything in sight.
But the awesome Australian forward pack was the cornerstone of the Wallabies’ success, with the scrum smashing Wales and front-rowers Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander also outstanding in the loose.
The face-saving victory eased the pressure on coach Robbie Deans, who was under fire in Australia following a dire run of just two wins from their past 10 Tests.
Restoring pride in the gold jumper, the Wallabies refused to concede a try despite being under relentless pressure in the final 10 minutes.
The tourists really should have had the match in the bag at halftime after scoring three tries to nil in the first 40 minutes.
But four penalty goals kept Wales’ hopes flickering until Giteau put replacement hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau over in the 62nd minute to give Australia an unassailable 21-point lead.
The Wallabies turned a sloppy start into a positive one with Giteau overcooking his opening kick-off before the dominant Australian pack earned a scrum penalty from Wales’ optional restart.
Giteau quickly atoned with a 50-metre penalty goal in a big confidence booster after his terrible night with the boot in Edinburgh.
Playing with attacking intent, Australia converted their early dominance with an eighth-minute try to Digby Ioane after Giteau ran to the line and put a lovely grubber kick behind the Wales defence for his outside centre to pounce.
Giteau pushed his sideline conversion attempt left and the hosts stayed in touch with a long-range penalty to winger Leigh Halfpenny, leaving the Wallabies ahead 8-3 after 18 minutes.
It was 13-3 two minutes later, though, when good support play from tireless props Alexander and Robinson put Drew Mitchell away and the winger put lock James Horwill over in the left-hand corner.
This time Giteau hooked his conversion attempt and Wales five-eighth Stephen Jones reduced Australia’s lead to 13-6 with a 22nd-minute penalty goal.
But the Wallabies, playing all the rugby, deservedly skipped 14 points clear after flanker David Pocock slammed the ball down for Australia’s third try in the 24th minute and Giteau slotted the extras.
But two more Jones penalty goals, either side of one from Giteau, left the Welsh in touch at 23-12 down at the break.
This time, though, there was no second-half collapse from the Wallabies, who put the 2008 Six Nations champions to the sword.
Terry Kidd
Guest
The Wallabies dominated the game but didn't end with a totally dominant scoreline. Yeah, yeah, I know it was four tries to zip but it should have been far more considering how dominant they were. I agree that the second half deteriorated into a pointless kick fest at times. I don't mean the intelligent kicking for field position which went quite well in this game, but I do mean the mindless midfield up and unders .... get them out of our play .... they twice cost us penalties I might add.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Sorry to be contrary, but the Wales team whom the Wallabies beat bears little resemblance to the Wales team that I saw play twice in the 6 Nations last February-March: the first time against England and the second time, against France. As I had posted before, the Welsh team had looked very well drilled, they preferred to offload in the tackle instead of going to ground, they had a full armoury of offensive tactics, their rush defence was up very quick and was as though timed by a starter's gun. Just to keep things in perspective... However, Congratulations to the Wallabies for their fight. I see a pattern where the Wallabies win, and next game they lose. I don't think it's a case of lack of passion. i think they get paralysed by the fear that they have to replicate their last match's success. Right from the start of the Scotland game, they were in slow motion. (I haven't watched the Wellington capitulation because I left the VHS player with my older rugby daughter, but I suspect it's a similar case.) I think that until the next international, they have a lot of self-examination to do and have to find that inner strength and resolve. They can be fantstic when they want to.
Dave
Guest
Outstanding first half from the wallabies. The forwards were excellent, while the backs played with intelligence, pace, and mixed their attack well (especially the brilliant Kick through by Gits, and Coopers attempt that went a fraction too long). Well done. 2nd half was ordinary I must say though. Wales missed two easy kicks at goal, and just fell short of scoring a try. Would have completely changed the context of the game. Wales just were not good enough to capitalise, but the All Blacks are. We did well in that first half by attacking and supporting. The 2nd half was pointless kick and hope stuff. If anyone saw the support play and attacking options taken by NZ against France, imagine what they would have done... Still, wonderful defensive effort from the Wallabies and a good end to the season.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great game and by far the Wallabies best performance of the year, why they can't do this more regularly is the problem they need to sort out. What a master class by both opensides, Smith and Pocock, oustanding stuff. The front row were fantastic. Giteau needed that game to silence the critics however 12 is his position. Ioane made a big difference while Cooper is developing nicely, would like to see him attack the line more though. They were a bees you know what from a Grand Slam.
Parisien
Guest
Well done Wallabies! you finally clicked and put it all together. Giteau looks better at 12, Pocock and Smith are a great act, Digby rocks, and I loved the moment when the two props passed the ball out along the backline. May it all carry over for next year, and may the bad results and play be behind you.