Wales 34-39 Australia: Wayne Pivac’s side collapse late on to complete dismal autumn campaign

By Ioan Thomas

WALES collapsed against an injury-stricken Australia to lose their final autumn international game 39-34 at the Principality Stadium.

An early penalty for Australia was converted by Ben Donaldson before Alun Wyn Jones broke through the Australian to offload the ball to Jac Morgan who finished for the opening try just left of the posts.

After two successful converted penalties from both Australia and Wales, Talupe Faletau scored following some brilliant attacking play in the corner on what was his 100th international cap.

A conversion and a penalty from fly-half Gareth Anscombe followed before Australia responded with a try. A great driving maul from a lineout was grounded by Folau Fainga’a and the conversion was successful from Donaldson.

Just before half-time Australia scrum half, Jake Gordon, saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on and five minutes into the second half Tom Robertson joined Gordon in the sin-bin for collapsing the scrum following multiple warnings from referee Matthew Carley.

Wales continued to use their numerical advantage and flanker Jac Morgan, such an impressive performer this autumn, scored his second try of the afternoon following on from a powerful driving maul.

The extra man proved too much for Australia and in the 52nd minute rookie wing Rio Dyer finished in the corner after the ball was worked well out wide.

But thereafter the tide turned in the Wallabies’ favour.

A converted try from wing Mark Nawaqanitawase in the 58th minute hauled the visitors back into it. Then in the 68th minute came a really significant moment as Wales captain Justin Tipuric was yellow-carded for a trip on Pete Samu. Tipuric’s foul, may have saved points for Wales initially, but the incident would return to haunt his team.

Almost immediately Nawaqanitawase scored his second try after a great move from a lineout and Noah Lolesia’s conversion reduced the deficit further.

When replacement hooker Ryan Elias conceded a penalty try on the line for collapsing the maul ,and also saw a yellow card for his actions, alarm bells rang louder.

The two-man advantage put Australia in a favourable position and they completed their comeback through a Lachlan Lonergan converted try in the corner.

Ultimately it was a complete capitulation from Wales in the second half, and the pressure on coach Wayne Pivac will have ramped up even more.

With one win in four from the series Wales will be hoping for improved results in the Six Nations where they face an inform Ireland in a daunting first match.