It was Wales’ eighth straight defeat as Australia narrowly won a battle between two weak sides in Sydney.
Both teams have struggled, not only in terms of their performances on the field but also with financial and sporting governance issues. Warren Gatland’s men went without a win in this year’s Six Nations, but at one point it looked as if they might end their barren run in the southern hemisphere.
Had Wales not had a second-half try disallowed for James Botham, they might well have secured their first victory in Australia since 1969. But ultimately Tom Wright’s brilliant effort sealed a Wallaby success in their first match under new head coach Joe Schmidt.
Wales’ first half was not in doubt and they went into half-time 13-10 down. Ben Thomas, on only his third cap and first start, opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty. Thomas normally plays centre for his club Cardiff but was fly-half for his country here.
His kick came after James Slipper was penalised for a no-arms tackle on Wales captain Dewi Lake. Wales’ subsequent display was characterised by poor discipline, scrum struggles, a shaky line-out and a number of basic errors.
Australia ultimately showed too much quality for Wales as they won 25-16 on Saturday
Wales suffered their eighth consecutive defeat in their opening match on this summer’s tour
Noah Lolesio kicked two Australian penalties and also missed a sitter.
Wales’ penalty count quickly mounted and it really looked like they were in trouble when Taniela Tupou scored from close range just minutes after they had destroyed the opposition scrum.
Wales prop Gareth Thomas was sent to the sin bin to add insult to injury. But Gatland’s team responded impressively.
Their driving maul was a source of joy. And even without Thomas, the Reds rumbled forward to earn a penalty try. Australian flanker Fraser McReight paid the price with a yellow card.
An automatic seven points for Wales were badly needed, especially as Lake struggled at the line-out and the reverse scrum. Tupuo – known as the ‘Tongan Thor’ – was dominant.
Wales would have been happy to turn it around with just three points behind. Their lack of strength and baulk, resulting in problems with the contact area and an inability to cross the gainline, remains a major problem. Australia certainly let their guard down after a strong start. Wales’ continued absence of future Leicester prop Nicky Smith remains a mystery, as he is a strong scrummager.
Liam Williams’ experience at full-back was a plus for Wales, producing a fine 50:22 strike. When the giant Tupou failed to make an appearance for the start of the second half, Wales’ chances certainly improved, and Gatland’s side levelled the scores in the 46th minute thanks to a Ben Thomas strike.
Taniela Tupou (centre) scored the goal at the Allianz Arena with an early try against Wales
Taine Plumtree scored a try for Wales in a game where they had their moments but failed to get into the game
Wales thought they had levelled the score in the second half, but James Botham’s (centre) attempt was disallowed
Warren Gatland will take positives from the defeat but he will do everything he can to stop their losing streak
The penalty came after Wales finally got some ball forward thanks to the storming Aaron Wainwright on his 50th cap. Wainwright left the field in the final few minutes. A crucial jackal from Christ Tshiunza then helped Wales stop dangerous Australian pressure. Clean line breaks were almost non-existent.
That was until Wallaby winger Filipo Daugunu got outside Mason Grady and steamed into a hole. Daugunu looked to have squandered the chance after ignoring Andrew Kellaway outside him and then Grady coming back to tackle. But his momentum took him over the line on a wet surface.
Wales responded again. Well, it seemed like it anyway.
Once again Wales’ line-out drive was to the fore. The forward maul was a rare bright spot for Wales in a desperate 2024 and it looked to be working again when substitute Botham overstepped the line just minutes after coming on. But referee Pierre Brousset checked the score with his TMO Marius Jonker and it was ruled out for obstruction by a combination of Tshiunza and Tommy Reffell. It seemed a somewhat harsh decision and certainly seemed to frustrate Wales head coach Gatland.
Scrum-half Ellis Bevan had dropped a sitter in the first half. But on his second cap he responded to the disallowed try with a fine 50:22 kick. Ben Thomas’ penalty in the 66th minute, which went over the post, made it a two-point game.
Given how well Wales had been drifting up to that point, you wondered whether it would have been better to shoot to the corner for the line-out.
Wallabies’ Filipo Daugunu scored for the Wallabies to put the home side back in front
Tom Wright’s late try gave the home side some breathing space as the new regime under the new coach got off to a great start
Former Ireland manager Joe Schmidt has had limited time with his new squad but has seen a marked improvement in their performances
Still, it seemed that the three points would ensure a grandstand-like final sprint.
But Wright sealed the match with a moment of brilliance. Wright ran back a Wales kick with interest, leaving Nick Tompkins struggling in defence. Wright’s moment of class deserved to win any match. Tom Lynagh – one of seven debutants in the Australian team and the son of Wallaby great Michael – scored, and Wales would never recover from that.