Get Newsletter

Harris: 'It is a dream come true'

Australia's Mike Harris kicked a penalty under huge pressure after the full-time siren to give the Wallabies a 25-23 win and break Welsh hearts in Melbourne on Saturday.

Harris' kick from the sideline – when the replacement had only been on the field for seven minutes – denied Wales their first win in Australia for 43 years, and secured the series for the home team.

"It's every players dream, to win the match with the final kick," Harris said.

"It was awesome and I am really glad it went over and we got a different result to Scotland."

The Wallabies will head to Sydney next week aiming to sweep the three-match series after winning the opening Test 27-19 in Brisbane last weekend.

The Welsh players hung their heads in despair after a committed defensive effort to contain Australia to just one try from Rob Horne, while crossing the line twice themselves through George North and Jonathan Davies.

Wallaby coach Robbie Deans said his team showed great composure to secure the win.

"We knew that when we play Wales they're an 80-minute side, they've very much a second-half side," he said.

"Fortunately, the boys had enough composure when they were under the pump at the death to get their hands on the ball one more time, produce some pressure and produce an outcome.

"We knew they were going to be tough and we knew they were going to come hard in the second half and credit to the guys they stuck at it and got the win.

I guess you have to say that it's getting closer.

"They're a good side, a very good side.

"Next week is going to be a good game with both sides letting go of the shackles and I think it will be a great match.

"We let our foot off and released the pressure and we let Wales back in to the game, a soft seven pointer and then some penalties but we managed to get it back."

Wales' caretaker coach Rob Howley pointed out his side had been 20 seconds away from winning their first Test in Australia since 1969.

"We're hugely disappointed having outscored Australia two tries to one," Howley said.

"I thought our defensive effort throughout the game was absolutely outstanding and we negated a lot of Australia's strengths and in international rugby it's all about those fine margins.

"We gave them the opportunity through a lack of discipline in those last two minutes which they took."

Wallaby captain David Pocock said: "We saw from the game in Canberra that they had improved at the breakdown and we knew they were going to be really tough."

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Edinburgh vs Glasgow | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

Boks Office | Episode 31 | Investec Champions Cup Review

Global Schools Challenge | Day 2 Replay

The Backyard Bunch | The USA's Belmont Shore

AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

South Africa v France | HSBC SVNS Cape Town 2024 | Men's Final Match Highlights

Two Sides - Behind the scenes with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa | E01

Write A Comment