Wales failed to score in a Test match for the first time in nine years as they were put to the sword in the second half by Australia in Brisbane. The Wallabies’ three try, 31-0 victory meant they won the series 2-0 and hold on to the new James Bevan Trophy. Having suffered the heartbreak of losing the first Test in the closing seconds 29-23, Wales made six changes, one of them positional, for the second Test against their Rugby World Cup Pool B rivals.
Both sides made many unforced errors in the first half and Wales were very much still in the hunt at half time, trailing 6-0 to two Stirling Mortlock penalties. However, the introduction of World Record cap holder George Gregan at the start of the second half changed the face of the game and in the third quarter the Aussies took complete control with two tries.
In fact the Wallabies scored twenty-five unanswered points in the second half with wings Digby Ioane and Drew Mitchell racing over the Welsh line before fullback Julian Huxley grabbed a third. The boot of Mortlock added sixteen points through four penalties and two conversions to complete the home scoring.
Wales lost Chris Czekaj (twisted knee) and Jamie Robinson (hip) in the first half and then had to replace Scarlets prop Iestyn Thomas after fifty minutes (back). Wales were very committed in defence throughout but lacked punch in attack, their only try scoring opportunity came in the dying moments when the outstanding Colin Charvis was held up over the line.
