The boot of Leigh Halfpenny saw Gatland’s side lead 12-9 with just minutes remaining only for Kurtley Beale’s late score to snatch victory for the Wallabies.
With nothing to lose, Australia attacked from inside their own half and when Beale found space, he outpaced the Welsh defence and the covering Alex Cuthbert to touch down. The score left the Millennium Stadium dumbfounded and the Welsh squad on their knees.
Here’s what Wales head coach Gatland had to say in the immediate aftermath of the loss:
“We are pretty gutted. Apart from the last minute we played some outstanding rugby.
“It was a close, tight, tough Test match and we should have won it. It was a tough match and the last minute try is a bit disappointing.
“Even if we had won today we would have been very disappointed with letting one or two go this autumn.
“We played some really good rugby and we showed we are a good side but you need to be smarter at the death.
“It was obvious to us from the stands that they were going to move the ball in the last few minutes and we shouldn’t have allowed them to get out of their 22. That is disappointing.
“There is not much difference between the two teams. They are a tough team to beat but I didn’t think they played a lot of rugby.
“Leigh Halfpenny has gone straight to hospital, we don’t know the situation yet.”
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