Ok so we beat the Al Blacks for the first time in 11 tests last week, but we haven’t backed up from an All Black win in the Deans era. Further Wales have caused us trouble in Cardiff of late. In our last five visits there, we’ve won twice, lost twice and drawn once.
In a somewhat uninspiring match, where the Wallabies failed to get much out of 3rd gear, we were able to come away with a win 25-16 and head to Twickenham, for the test v England, still undefeated this tour.
We didn’t get the start we wanted, though, with a couple of knock backs early. The first was Stephen Moore being a late withdrawal with a back spasm meaning Saia Faingaa started, with Huia Edmonds on the bench.
The second was a Stephen Jones penalty after less than two minutes from a Wales turnover giving the his team a sought after early boost.
Kurtley Beale looked like he was over early after some sustained Wallaby defense, but some good work from Will Genia set David Pocock up for a relatively easy try. It was appropriate reward for Pocock given the dominance he displayed in the same match last year – a symbolic handing over of the baton from George Smith to Pocock of the Wallaby 7 jersey.
In the first half, Wales completely dominated the scrums, where loose head Gethin Jenkins proved his class against Ben Alexander. Jenkins was just as prominent in general player securing some vital turnovers and putting Australia under extreme pressure.
But still Australia looked in control when they had the ball, and in defence when Wales had it. For Australia, the forwards had to battle hard against an aggressive Welsh pack, but the Wallaby backs still looked a little flighty as they tried any manner of chips and kicks to gain the advantage.
A penalty to Wales, from a lineout infringement, saw Wales draw within one point after 32 minutes. Like the Wallabies, their pack was working hard and securing turnovers, however their backline was providing very little in the way of go forward.
The Wallabies looked more dangerous in attack however, and were able to make their way forward, despite a missed O’Connor penalty. A double movement, ruled against fullback Kurtley Beale was a disappointing end to a powerful attack and Wales were able to relieve pressure just before half time.
A couple of subsequent awry kicks from Cooper, followed by a typically haphazard and lazy tackle effort by the Wallaby flyhalf gifted Wales both position and possession and the Wallabies were lucky that Jones missed the kick and retained their 7-6 half time lead.
The second half would continue with Australia looking dangerous ball in hand, however Wales were able to apply the pressure through magnificent turnovers, a strong set piece and just some very poor Wallaby handling. It would come as no surprise that David Pocock was the catalyst for the first try of the 2nd half, securing a vital turnover.
Further, it was even less of a surprise that the Wallabies new match winners, Beale and James O’Connor, would combine for a break away Wallaby try (converted by
JOC) to give Australia a 14-6 lead a little under 10 minutes into the 2nd half. It was a deserving reward for Beale who had looked particularly dangerous for the Wallabies all match, and indeed most of the season.
Yet another demolished scrum, albeit from a questionable forward pass call, saw Australia give up the penalty and Wesh flyhalf Stephen Jones kick his 3rd penalty for the evening and draw a little bit closer at 14-9.
Saia Faingaa went off, with all matter of injuries, not long after with Brumby Huia Edmonds on for his 4th test. He made an immediate impact with an accurate lineout and a powerful run.
Beale then produced what can described as nothing short of magic for what would unfortunately be ruled a no try, due to a knock on. But it reemphasizes his abilities as well as his readiness to replace Chris Latham as the enigmatic game breaker of this Wallaby team.
Whilst the Welsh commentators were having a field day with the Wallaby props, I thought somewhat harshly, there was no denying the trouble the Aussie front row were having at scrum time. But still the Welsh backs couldn’t take advantage.
Ironically it was Wallaby Tight Head Prop Ben Alexander who would score the Aussie’s third try, from some more Wallaby counter attack giving the visitors a ten point lead three quarters of the way through the match.
The pressure remained when some enterprising play between Cooper (a cross field kick) and O’Connor looked like another try was on the cards. Thomas Shanklin, however, tackled a supporting Pocock early and was binned for ten. The O’Connor penalty that resulted provided the Wallabies further buffer.
The Welsh were eventually rewarded with their first try to replacement scrumhalf Richie Reec from a series of dominant scrums. It was due reward for the strong Wales scrum as well as the busy play of Reece since he arrived on the field. Dan Biggar’s conversion closed the gap to 22-16 with less than 10 minutes to go.
As long as the Wallaby backs had the ball in hand they looked dangerous, however some loose passing saw Biggar in with a shot of a run away try, before being ruled off-side right in front of the posts. The resultant O’Connor penalty gave Australia a 7 plus point lead (25-16) with 74 minutes on the clock.
For the Wallabies the best was, once again, fullback Kurtley Beale who is developing into one of the most dangerous backs in world rugby. David Pocock was not far behind as he secured numerous turnovers as well as contributing many strong runs and tackles. Once again Chisholm and Giteau were quiet and may come under pressure to hold their spot come next week.
For the Welsh Gethin Jenkins was really the stand out, as well as young flanker Sam Warburton and replacement scrummie Richie Reece. But they looked far from dangerous and are some way from the top tier in world rugby at the moment.
Australia 25 (David Pocock, Kurtley Beale, Ben Alexander tries; James O’Connor 2 conv, 2 pg) defeated Wales 16 (Richie Reese try; Dan Biggar conv; Stephen Jones 3 pg)
Replacements:
For the Wallabies: Huia Edmonds, James Slipper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess , Dean Mumm.
For Wales: Martyn Williams, Dan Biggar, Richie Rees, Paul James, Deinol Jones, Chris Czekaj
Yellow Card: Tom Shankin (Wales)
Make sure you head over to the Forum to give us your Wallaby 3-2-1s for the best three Wallaby players for the game, as we edge closer to discovering our Green and Gold Rugby Wallaby Player of the Year.
