Player ratings: Cool heads
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The Wallabies showed good composure under pressure to seal a tough 33-28 victory over Wales at the Millenium Stadium.
In a game that really could have gone either way, Australia showed encouraging mental strength in their first Test under new coach Michael Cheika to claim their tenth straight victory over Wales.
Having gone behind with just 15 minutes left, the visitors ralied well and a a drop-goal and penalty from flyhalf Bernard Foley in the last ten minutes saw them do just enough to take the win.
We rate the Australian players:
15 Israel Folau
Broke his try 'drought' with a double which showed his devastating finishing abilities and looked dangerous throughout, making ground whenever he saw the ball.
9/10
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
Looked to come off his wing and get involved and made a few telling breaks, but still looks like a centre playing one position wider.
6/10
13 Tevita Kuridrani
Used his power to good effect, taking defenders on with gusto and busting through a few tackles in his trademark direct style.
7/10
12 Christian Leali'ifano
Provided some variety by taking the ball at first-receiver and using his kicking game to good effect but did not see as much of the ball as he would have liked.
6/10
11 Joe Tomane
Worked hard and looked dangerous when given some space, but got caught out of position on defence at times.
6/10
10 Bernard Foley
Not a flawless performance with a few basic errors, but he attacked the gainlineand came up with the good when it mattered most in the tense final stages.
7/10
9 Nick Phipps
Provided good service and kept his team going at a good tempo, but also got caught in possession at times.
6/10
8 Ben McCalman
Tackled hard and got through plenty of work, but did not get many opportunities to run at the opposition in space behind a beaten scrum.
6/10
7 Michael Hooper
Worked hard as usual, he was a real nuisance in the tackle area and also showed his creative abilities with a great offload for Folau's first try.
8/10
6 Sean McMahon
Mixed bag on debut as he missed a crucial tackle next to the ruck which resulted in Wales' first try, but showed plenty of determination and carried the ball up fiercely.
6/10
5 Rob Simmons
Very reliable in the line-outs and got through plenty of work on defence, but also got blown up for straying offside at a maul.
6/10
4 Sam Carter
Took the game to the Welsh and provided some grunt in a uncompromising effort, but also lost the ball in contact a few times.
7/10
3 Sekope Kepu
Got through plenty of work in the loose but battled to keep his side of the scrum up.
5/10
2 Saia Fainga'a
An impressive game from the hooker who carried the ball up well, found his line-out jumpers and also showed his value at the breakdown by winning an important turnover in the 22.
7/10
1 James Slipper
Got properly worked over in the scrums and although he got around the park well he was let down by a few basic errors in the loose as well.
4/10
Replacements:
16 James Hanson (On for Fainga'a, 59 mins)
Did his core roles well and worked hard but had a rough time of it in the scrums.
6/10
17 Tetera Faulkner (On for Slipper, 73 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Ben Alexander (On for Kepu, 65 mins)
Came on after the penalty try and provided some solidity up front.
7/10
19 James Horwill (On for Simmons, 67 mins)
The former skipper's experience proved crucial in the frantic final stages as the Wallabies showed some good composure to close the game out.
6/10
20 Will Skelton (On for Carter, 50 mins)
The big man added some brute strength in his half-hour as he got stuck into the Welsh and provided some impact.
7/10
21 Matt Hodgson (On for McMahon, 70 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Will Genia (On for Phipps, 68 mins)
Dictated play well in the tense final moments, and took some good options to set up the win.
6/10
23 Rob Horne (On for Leali'ifano, 76 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
By Michael de Vries
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