1
Watch: Euphoria as Wales end 10-year drought over Wallabies
A 77th-minute penalty goal from replacement flyhalf Dan Biggar sealed a historic win over Australia, ending a 10-year, 13-game losing streak over the men from down under.
ADVERTISEMENT
The tryless 9-6 win was a tryless affair, typified by missed opportunities. Wales looked to have the match all but sealed before knocking on and giving the Wallabies one last attempt to steal the match. With a history of Wallabies ‘Houdini’ acts in the past, Wales held their nerve as the Wallabies gave away a penalty whilst in possession, sparking a series of celebrations in Cardiff.
Look what it means to Wales' back room!
They've beaten Australia for the first time in 13 matches. #WALvAUS #bbcrugby pic.twitter.com/HEiM1SzTSS
— BBC Rugby Union (@bbcrugbyunion) November 10, 2018
Wales held the ball for large periods but couldn’t finish off a number of opportunities, with the attack faltering at various stages. Errors plagued the contest, with both sides locked 3-all at halftime. Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny missed a penalty from almost dead in-front much to the frustration of the home side.
Wales openside flanker Justin Tipuric earned man of the match honours with a mammoth defensive showing, making 16 tackles and winning four turnovers.
TOP TIPS ? That's two Man of the Match performances in a row this autumn for Wales' openside flanker, Justin Tipuric. #TheTitanOfTrebanos pic.twitter.com/uDgZqxKtZD
— Welsh Rugby Union ??????? (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 10, 2018
The Wallabies themselves will rue an error-ridden performance, further adding pressure to a tough year.
Matt Toomua looked to have saved the side with a clutch long-range penalty in the 75th minute to tie the match 6-all after a late-shot on Leigh Halfpenny went ignored. Samu Kerevi collided with Halfpenny after a missed charge down attempt, with what looked like incidental shoulder contact with the head.
ADVERTISEMENT
From the ensuing play, David Pocock secured a penalty which Toomua converted. On the same ruck, an accidental knee from Pocock on Anscombe led to replacement Dan Biggar coming into the match.
Biggar stepped up to save the game from another controversy, slotting a game-winning penalty with calm and composure.
"I'll let you go and clean up!"
Alun Wyn Jones looking fine for the cameras ?#bbcrugby #WALvAUS pic.twitter.com/JejrV1B30V
— BBC Rugby Union (@bbcrugbyunion) November 10, 2018
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Ah, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
22 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
22 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
22 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
22 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
22 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to comments