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Watch: Euphoria as Wales end 10-year drought over Wallabies


Tomos Williams and Ken Owens (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

In other news:

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Phantom 33 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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