There aren’t many top tier countries that Australia has had the wood on lately but Wales is one of them building up an enviable winning record in the process. Wales has been disrupted with injuries. While Australia hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with their play this year. So Wales look to break their Aussie hoodoo and the Wallabies look to rescue a pretty sad season. Only one thing is certain, someone is going to be disappointed.
The Match
Australia dominated the first half in possession, territory and on the scoreboard scoring three tries to nil to finish the half leading 20-3. The Wallabies started at breakneck pace and came close to maintaining that pace for most of the half.
Australia and Wales traded ruck penalties early on before Stephen Moore scored one of his customary maul tries of a Wallaby lineout. Foley missed the conversion but Australia was in the lead 8-3. Wales lost Dan Biggar to the bin for holding Haylett-Petty back in a try scoring position and Bernard Foley took full advantage putting Reece Hodge through on the inside, he in turn gave to Folau who drew and passed back for Hodge to score. Close to half time Tevita Kuridrani brilliantly, went ten metres up the tram tracks to score in the corner. It was probably the Wallabies best half of rugby this year with only a forward pass, a couple of dropped balls, a couple of scrum free kicks and two missed conversions in the negative column.
Almost predictably things loosened up in the second half. The Wallabies still played well but tended to push the pass or kick unnecessarily. Bernard Foley scored a well deserved try off quick ball after a turn over. But Wales were able to score next playing through Scott Williams.
Haylett-Petty scored a long range intercept try to put the game beyond doubt but the quality of play in the second half was nothing like the first. Wales had a couple of chances to score but couldn’t get across the line but for Australia the opportunities dried up completely.
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The Game Changer
Wales were in the match until Dan Biggar had a brain explosion and held Haylett-Petty back. The Wallabies only scored once while he was in the bin but by the time he made it back on the pitch the entire game had changed.
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[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Bernard Foley. I wrote Foley’s name here after 55 minutes and nothing changed in the final minutes of the game to change my mind. I will temper that by adding that his kicking game is still a weakness missing three from five conversions and having a mixed game kicking from hand.
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[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby watch
Coleman and Arnold were epic! The entire forward pack in the loose were very good but the scrum, especially on Scott Sio’s side was shaky. Haylett-Petty was everywhere. Hodge had a good game and looks like a long term Wallaby. Folau was Folau, say no more. Tevita Kuridrani looked back to his best. Did I miss anyone?
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The Details
Crowd:
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Wales: 8
Tries: Williams
Conversions: Half=Penny 0/1
Penalties: Half-Penny 1/2[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Australia: 32
Tries: Moore, Hodge, Kuridrani, Foley, Haylett-Petty
Conversions: Foley 2/5
Penalties: Foley[/one_half]
Cards & citings
Biggar YC
