Wallabies vs Wales: Five things we learned from the final Test of 2013

Wales against Australia has always been an excellent game whether played in Cardiff or in Sydney. Tonight’s game at the Millennium Stadium was certainly no different.

The final Test match of 2013 ended in an exciting 30-26 victory for the Wallabies, allowing them to end their year on a high. Here we break down the five main talking points from the game.

1) Australia overcame a shaky start
Conceding an early try is certainly something Australia was not expecting but the closed roof was nearly opened after Wales’ excellent start when George North touched down after 70 seconds.

The irony is that it came about from a line break from Israel Folau who burst into the Welsh 22. However, lack of support runners made Folau go into contact with the Welsh defenders, which led to the turnover and counter attack by North.

His kick into space within the Aussie 22 would have been dealt with were it not for Adam Ashley-Cooper’s unfortunate attempt at a kick, which led to North surging past him to score.

Coach Ewen McKenzie would have been worried especially as his team were 10-0 down after eleven minutes. But ‘Link’ would have been pleased with the way his team fought back and soon took control of the game.

Their dominant performance at the breakdown, contact area and steely ruggedness would make sure Australia would win at Cardiff.

Australia’s ability to overcome going behind 10-0 (as they did against Italy in Turin) showed resilience within McKenzie’s side and determination not to give up – traits no doubt instilled by the ex-Reds coach.

2) Quade Cooper was monumental and back to his best
The fly-half was no doubt man of the match in Cardiff and was at the heart of everything good about Australia.

He tested the Welsh defensive line, with his ambitious passes finding their targets on all but once occasion, while his restarts put Wales under pressure and on a few times allowed Australia to wrest possession back.

His tactical kicking was brilliant at times, forcing the Welsh to be pinned back in their own half, where good Australian pressure led to winning the lineout from a Welsh throw on a few occasions.

Quade Cooper’s pass in the lead up to their first try was excellent, taking at least two Welsh players out of the game to allow Christian Lealiifano the space to run into for his try after receiving Joe Tomane’s pass.

Cooper is a changed man from the dark days of the Deans era. McKenzie’s total faith in him by giving him the vice captaincy has given Cooper a sense of responsibility.

With it, the Reds stand-off has not disappointed with his creativity, mischievous sidesteps and bringing in other players into the game. Reds and Wallabies fans will be ecstatic at his good form and if he continues then the Reds will no doubt be one of the dark horses next season.

Either way, Australia will start their 2014 international season in good health, especially with David Pocock back should he recover from a long term injury.

And did anyone spot this from Mike Phillips on Quade Cooper?

3) Wales’ start to the 2nd half cost them the game
Though Dan Biggar’s yellow card on the 35th minute hurt Wales and cost them 10 points, it was Wales’ start to the second half that cost them the game.

At half-time Wales were losing 17-16, but 12 minutes after the break they found themselves 30-16 down and with 20 minutes left they seemed dead and buried.

The Wallabies ran riot, scoring 13 unanswered points in a 12-minute spell that managed to silence the vociferous Welsh crowd.

Though the first half was a cracker, evenly contested and played at real pace, it was in the second half where Australia imposed themselves – especially during that vital twelve minute spell.

Warren Gatland will not be pleased at his players’ lack of concentration, which allowed the Wallabies to extend their lead to 30-16 so easily. If you drop your concentration levels then the best teams will punish you, and Cardiff provided a brutal example.

4) Wales cannot beat the top Southern Hemisphere sides if they are not ruthless
Even though Wales were 30-16 down, they were able to fight back thanks to George North’s second try of the game.

His sidestep past Will Genia was a notable highlight as he left the scrum half for dead, and the successful conversion made it 30-23. A penalty by Rhys Priestland cut the gap to just 4 points and with just 12 minutes left a Welsh win looked possible along with the crowd galvanised.

Quade Cooper’s controversial yellow card when deemed by the TMO to have taken the man without the ball with six minutes left gave Wales an excellent chance to seize the game.

But once again, Wales threw away an opportunity against the top southern hemisphere sides.

From the five-metre lineout after Cooper’s yellow card the Welsh tried a 12-man lineout, even putting in the backs to attempt a driving maul to the tryline like they had successfully attempted against the All Blacks.

But from the lineout and after several phases the Welsh knocked it on with the Australians able to clear their lines.

Wales’ inability to dispatch the Wallabies when they were down to 14 men was compounded by an aimless kick into the Australian half, which allowed Folau to gain ground and for the Wallabies to keep possession.

The Australians were resolute in the last five minutes but managed the game well when suffering a one-man disadvantage and ate up the clock when in possession.

Wales lack the belief they can beat South Africa, New Zealand or Australia, and once again this was shown during the autumn internationals. Wales cannot go to the next level they so desperately have tried to do while under coach Warren Gatland if they cannot turn over the big Southern Hemisphere teams.

It doesn’t bode well, especially as Wales are paired with England and Australia in their World Cup pool. It is entirely possible they will have to beat the Wallabies should they want to repeat their 2011 World Cup heroics.

It will be tough but Wales have to beat a Southern Hemisphere team should they want to go far in the 2015 World Cup.

5) Australia end 2013 with renewed optimism
The end of year Tests have certainly helped Australia rediscover some form after a torrid first nine months of 2013.

Their win over Wales has meant they are now four games undefeated and are third in the IRB rankings. The Wallabies have come a long way since the problems on and off the pitch that festered under Robbie Deans.

Though stung by defeat to England, the team grew with wins over Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It has instilled confidence in the team and there’s a feeling Australia has recovered from the low days after their Lions defeat in July.

Several positives have come about as a result of their gruelling European tour.

Quade Cooper has been excellent and replicated his form of old, while Israel Folau has been nothing short of outstanding. What’s scary is this is his first year playing rugby union and I am sure he will go from strength to strength.

Michael Hooper as No.7 has been their standout player among the forwards and when David Pocock comes back the Wallabies will have an excellent contingent of loose forwards. Stephen Moore has been excellent with his ball carrying and excellent passing that has led to several tries – notably against Ireland.

The scrum has recovered and is no longer the mortal flaw it had once been earlier this year. Though their lineout was not great against Wales their set piece is at a level where it is not a negative but a conduit to start pre-planned offensive moves and give good ball for the backs to create something.

But to end the year with a four game winning streak will please McKenzie, and the streak confirms that Australia are on the right track.

Hero of the week: Quade Cooper. A mesmerising performance to cap off a great November.

Villain of the week: I have two this week. First is the 2015 World Cup organisers for their ticket prices – it will mean a lot of people will have to save up including me.

My second villain is Perpignan captain David Marty. His attempt at rucking last week during their game away to Toulon in the Top 14 was more of an attempt at flying and the Perpignan captain’s reward was a yellow card. Go on YouTube and prepare to laugh or shake your head.