Not to be for Wales as Wallabies win thrilling Test series

MATCH REPORT: Australia held out for a thrilling series win against Wales in Melbourne on Saturday, dispatching the visitors by 36-28.

Wales were in the fight right to the end but suffered a ninth-straight defeat, their worst run since 2003.

They have still not beaten the Wallabies in Australia since 1969.

It was a breathless start to this second Test which saw the Wallabies score in the fifth minute.

It was a poor pass by Josh Flook that looked to put Australia under all sorts of pressure in front of their posts but Andrew Kellaway launched the counter-attack.

Flank Fraser McReight then galloped half the field but knew he didn’t have the legs with Rio Dyer chasing, so he released to Filipo Daugunu for an easy finish.

The converted try put the home side in front early by 7-0.

This seemed to get Australia’s tails up and they immediately started spreading the ball wide that got them into the Wales 22’.

They maintained their discipline in the breakdowns and won a penalty, sent through the poles by Noah Lolesio.

After 15 minutes Wales still had no foothold in the game, especially after a penalty kick by Ben Thomas flew wide as the heavens opened up.

Wales managed to work their way into Australian territory but they bungled two opportunities with James Botham forced into touch and then Taine Plumtree picked off the over throw but was held up.

Then once again, after Wales was pressuring, it was another breakaway score for Australia, this time it was Jake Gordon who picked up a loose ball and scrambled to score.

After 30 minutes it was Australia 17, Wales 0.

But Wales fought back and three minutes later the Welsh, from a perfect line-out, mauled their way over and captain Dewi Lake went over.

Shortly afterward Lolesio stretched Australia’s lead to 20-7.

A yellow card to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto five minutes before half-time gifted Wales a chance to close the gap. It was a shoulder to the head of Archie Griffin and he left the field for an HIA.

That got Wales worked up. Lake decided against three points and opted for their weapon, a driving lineout. It was the captain’s second try and a powerful one at that.

The conversion was over, but then Lolesio had another shot at goal, stretching the Wallabies’ lead to 23-14 at half-time.

Wales had a big start to the second half, chipped away at the defence, and finally, Liam Williams went through for Wales’ third try.

That was Williams’ 21st Test try and it puts him level with Josh Adams in seventh place in the list of all-time try-scorers for Wales.

With 54 minutes run down on the clock, Australia scored their third try when Allan Alaalatoa barged over from close range for his first try in more than 60 caps.

Two more tries followed – one by Daugunu, his second, and the other a brilliant individual effort by Wales’ Rio Dyer.

The conversions were good, and Australia still remained ahead by a small margin, leading 33-28 with 10 minutes left to go.

A successful penalty kick by Ben Donaldson put pressure on Wales to score again but the time had run out.

Scorers:

For Australia:
Tries: Daugunu 2, Gordon, Alaalatoa
Cons: Lolesio 2
Pens: Lolesio 3, Donaldson

For Wales:
Tries: Lake 2, Willaims, Dyer
Cons: Thomas 3, Costelow

Yellow card: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (for Australia, high tackle, 35′)

Teams:

Wallabies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 James Slipper (c)
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nic White, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Dylan Pietsch

Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Mason Grady, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 James Botham, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Christ Tshiunza, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Cory Hill, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Nick Tompkins

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)