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Kurtley Beale has scored a sensational long-range try in the dying seconds to give the Wallabies a 14-12 win at Millennium Stadium to send captain Nathan Sharpe out a winner in his final Test.
In the 80th minute, replacement centre Mike Harris rocketed onto a Berrick Barnes pass before finding reserve lock Dave Dennis who went tearing down the right touchline before popping a ball inside to Beale who scored in the corner to cap move that started just inside their own half.
Sharpe attempted the conversion but it fell short.
Beale’s try was the only five-pointer of the Test with Welsh points coming from four penalty goals to fullback and man of the match Leigh Halfpenny while Beale kicked three penalties for Australia.
Until the try, Australia looked set to be kept scoreless in the second half for the second consecutive week before getting out of jail as Wales looked like breaking a six-game losing streak.
It was the Wallabies’ eighth straight win over Wales and they finished the European tour with a respectable 3-1 record.
Australia was lucky to go into the halftime break leading 9-6 with Wales playing all the rugby as they shifted the ball wide and punched holes in the Wallabies’ midfield.
Beale slotted three penalty goals from five attempts in the first half with Halfpenny kicking two for Wales but missed an easy attempt right on halftime.
The Wallabies suffered an early blow with aggressive flanker Scott Higginbotham injured making a tackle in the 15th minute and being replaced by Dennis.
Australia squandered several opportunities in the opening term with cheap turnover ball while some poor kicks in general play invited the dangerous Wales back three of Halfpenny and wingers Alex Cuthbert and Liam Williams into the game.
Wycliff Palu produced a try-saving effort midway through the half when backtracked to force a ball in the in-goal as Wales looked set to score.
Halfpenny sliced through the Australian midfield before chip kicking Barnes but the Wales fullback lost his footing and Palu won the race to save the day.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.