By Ellis Sheppard
Australia thumped Wales at the Principality Stadium, an 11th defeat in a row for the hosts to mark their worst run in history.
Warren Gatland’s men sunk below the Steve Hansen side of 2003, that lost 10 on the trot, in chalking up the unwanted new low.
Gatland revealed he had talks with senior WRU figures in the home dressing room afterwards as the subject of his future dominates the post-match narrative. With back-to-back world champions South Africa in town next weekend, there is little reason to think Wales’ slide will not continue.
And the opening match of the Six Nations in February could scarcely be any tougher – away to France.
Australia dominated the first 15 minutes with the first points coming from a try from full-back Tom Wright.
Wright drove at the Welsh defence and found a gap between Welsh players Ellis Bevan and Blair Murray.
Shortly after, lock Nick Frost and hooker Matt Faessler claimed tries that, with two Nick Lolesio conversions opened up a 19-0 lead.
It looked like annihilation was on the cards but 13 points in seven minutes through a try from Aaron Wainwright and Gareth Anscombe’s boot, got Wales to within touching distance at half-time, just six points in arrears.
Gatland’s men had a chance to go for the Aussie jugular when Wallaby centre Sami Kerevi was given a 20-minute red card for a high tackle on Jac Morgan early in the second half.
But instead Wales fell apart with a man extra, Faessler got two more tries and Wright a second to effectively kill the contest.
Cardiff centre Ben Thomas did get a across the line for Wales’ second, but it was small consolation.
Centre Len Ikitau and Wright, for the third time, took Australia to a record points total in Cardiff and complete humiliation for Wales.
The mammoth 40-6 World Cup quarter-final win against Australia at the table end of 2023 could not have seemed further away.
All eyes will now be on Gatland’s fate as a grim autumn campaign draws to a close.