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.
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.
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.
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This is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
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