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Scores
AUS vs WAL
International Men's Rugby
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Australia
vs
Wales
25
FT
16
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 25 - 16
For now this is Stanton Bell signing off, as always thank you for following along - until next time be safe out there.
That wraps up Tribe's coverage of this one, with the Wallabies starting the Joe Schmidt/Liam Wright era with a win. International Rugby is back for 2024 and we are right in the thick of it, so stick with us here on Tribe because we have every game live for you!
For Wales they really struggled to get into this game, they couldn't crack this Australian defence through countless times. They also had plenty of ball, but instead decided to use the boot a lot more and play the field possession battle but in the end it didn't work out for them. They will be happy that they held out the Wallabies when they had the ball inside the 22, but won't be happy that they just couldn't get their attack to click. Ben Thomas had his moments in the 10 jersey while Hathway was a standout out wide. However it is another lost for Wales, as they head to Melbourne needing to turn things around.
All over here with the Wallabies starting their new era under Joe Schmidt with a strong win! They wanted to move on quickly from 2023 and they have done that with a commanding win at home. It was built off their defence as they didn't give Wales an inch only giving away a penalty try and holding out countless attacking raids by the Welsh. They were lead by McReight and Valentini who were the real standouts, while on attack it was new skipper Liam Wright and Williams that got them over the advantage line. Their backs didn't have a lot of opportunity to attack, but when they did they had the moments with Daugunu, Wright and Paisami all looking dangerous. They won't be completely happy with that performance but it is a win and a great stepping stone for the Wallabies.
80+1'
The hooter sounds but Wales will still take the lineout and spread across the face of the defence with Hathaway getting it down the left but he is held up and the ball is trapped in there! That is all she wrote as the Wallabies get the win to kick start their new era!
80'
Hardy gets just short of halfway before getting dragged down. Watkin and Grady are next but they can't crack this defence, as Botham wanders inside the Australian half. Costelow is found down the right hitting Hathaway out the back but the ball goes to ground, with McDermott banging it down field and into touch just inside the Welsh half.
79'
The Wallabies have the lineout on halfway, with Cale bringing it down at the front and setting the drive. They have to use it eventually as McDermott hangs it up for Hathaway back on his 22. He will counter attack finding space down the left. Another penalty comes for Wales, with Hardy taking it quickly...
78'
Stolen lineout by the Australians that ends up with Pietsch in mid field! McDermott takes no chances as he clears down field finding Grady at the back who brings it back to the 22, but gives away the penalty for no release!
77'
Botham and Costelow take them on but still no room as this Aussie defence means business! To the right hand side it goes for Tshiunza who is rocked by the defence but gets the penalty for a Wallaby off his feet! Now or never for the Welsh....