Williams fairytale can't stop Australia

Welsh wing legend Shane Williams capped a stellar Test career with a last-minute try against Australia, but it was not enough as the Red Dragons went down 24-18 at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday.

The Wallabies turned on the class in the second half, scoring three tries in a ten minute blitz that put the game beyond the home team’s grasp after a tense first half.

This result made it four wins in a row for Australia over Wales, as they backed up their victory when the teams last met in the World Cup bronze final in Auckland in October, and extended the hosts’ poor record against Tri-Nations opposition to just one victory in 16 Tests.

The game, played under a closed roof, changed when, with Wales 6-3 up early in the second half, home fullback Leigh Halfpenny was sent to the sin-bin and Australia scored 21 unanswered points while he was off the field.

Wales took a sixth minute lead when flyhalf Rhys Priestland kicked a 40 metre penalty.

Williams had to wait 13 minutes to get his first touch but, soon afterwards, he came across from the left wing to the right to help keep a Welsh attack alive. But a promising move ended when centre Scott Williams dropped the ball short of the line.

Australia’s James O’Connor, playing his first Test at flyhalf, then missed a straightforward penalty chance that would have levelled the game before Australia went close to scoring a try on the half hour.

After a surging run by fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, centre Berrick Barnes’s clever cross kick was gathered close to Wales’s line by Wallaby right wing Lachie Turner.

But the diminuitive Williams, once again showing his defensive worth, just did enough to force Turner into touch before he grounded the ball. Although it needed several minutes’ study by video referee Geoff Warren before Australia were denied a try.

Priestland and O’Connor then exchanged penalties, both awarded for offside, to leave Wales three points in front at half-time. Australia emerged for the second period without openside flank David Pocock, replaced by Radike Samo.

Australia went close after a fine handling move saw O’Connor launch a counter-attack involving Barnes and Ashley-Cooper.

But after Barnes, involved for a second time, kicked ahead, O’Connor was tackled without the ball in sight of the line by Halfpenny and referee Jonathan Kaplan sent him to the sin-bin.

It was an expensive error, with Australia scrumhalf Will Genia forcing his way over for a close range try which O’Connor converted. O’Connor then missed a simple penalty, the ball hitting the post, minutes later but it hardly mattered.

It was O’Connor’s excellent cut-out pass that sent Turner in for a try at the corner and he then made no mistake with the tricky conversion.

Wales were still a man down when Samo’s pass found Barnes for Australia’s third try, O’Connor again adding the extras.

The home side did staunch the flow of Australia points with their first try in the 66th minute after Priestland followed up after good work out wide by replacement forward Ryan Jones.

But Priestland’s conversion attempt hit the post and Australia were still 24-11 in front before Shane Williams scored the try the crowd wanted.

An emotional Williams described his 87-Test career as a dream come true.

“I’ve had the best time of my life,” Williams, fighting back tears, told the BBC before embarking upon a lap of honour.

“I’m sorry we could not win,” added Wales’ all-time top try-scorer, who will continue to play for the Ospreys, the Welsh regional side.

Reflecting on his Wales career, Williams said: “It’s meant everything.

“Growing up as a child that’s the only thing you want to do. I have been very privileged and lucky to have that chance. I’ve had the best time of my life. Every time I pull on this jersey it’s the best feeling ever. I’m going to miss it,” he said.

Man of the match: Wallabies inside centre Berrick Barnes showcased what he offers his team as an extra playmaker. He took the ball at first reciever often, and mixed some incisive running with shrewd tactical kicking in an impressive performance.

Moment of the match: It has to be Williams’ last ever try for his country. The little wizard has scored more tries for Wales than anyone else and he finished things in style by getting over the whitewash in the dying stages of the match.

Villain of the match: Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny cost his team by getting a yellow card at the worst possible time. The Wallabies scored their three tries while he was off the field and his team were never really in the contest after that.

The scorers:

For Wales:
Tries: Priestland, Williams
Con: Biggar
Pens: Priestland 2

For Australia:
Tries: Genia, Turner, Barnes
Cons: O’Connor 3
Pen: O’Connor

Yellow card: Leigh Halfpenny (49th minute, foul play)

The teams:

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Justin Tipuric, 20 Tavis Knoyle, 21 Dan Biggar, 22 Alex Cuthbert.

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Anthony Fainga’a, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 James Horwill (captain), 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Nathan Sharpe, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Nick Phipps.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistant referees: Dave Pearson, Jérôme Garces
TMO: Geoff Warren