Wales had edged in front through the boot of full back Leigh Halfpenny with 10 minutes remaining but they were unable to seal the deal as Berrick Barnes stepped up to bang over the match winning penalty with six minutes remaining.
Unlike Wales, Australia were then able to shut up shop to prevent the Grand Slam champions from scoring to secure a clean sweep in the three-Test series.
The game failed to reach the dizzy heights expected with both sides struggling to come to terms with the whistle of referee Craig Joubert, particularly at the breakdown.
Wales didn’t do themselves any favours in the first half by coughing up possession – lock Alyn Wyn Jones the chief culprit by spilling three re-starts to hand the initiative straight back to the Wallabies.
The Wallabies also produced a more composed and clinical display whereas Wales lacked the same killer touch. Ashley Beck ignored an overlap to butcher a clear-cut scoring opportunity and in a match where points were going to be extremely hard to come by, such profligacy was punished by the Tri Nations champions.
Barnes led the battle of the boot at the break, banging over four penalties to Halfpenny’s triumvirate to give the Wallabies a narrow 12-9 lead at the break.
Wales suffered a double injury blow in the first half with skipper Sam Warburton leaving the field in the 30th minute while Gethin Jenkins never returned for the second spell.
Ryan Jones took over the captaincy and he led from the front as Wales tore into the Wallabies as they sought to gain their first win on Australian soil for the first time since 1969. Halfpenny gave Welsh fans hope by levelling the score with his trusty right boot.
Wales suddenly began to believe they could break their duck when Jones drove over in the 61st minute. Mike Phillips and Alex Cuthbert softened up the belly of the Aussie defence before the Welsh No 8 picked up from close range and wriggled his way over. With Halfpenny adding the straight forward conversion, Wales were in the lead 12-16.
It didn’t last long however with Australia tearing back downfield immediately. Having blown one chance, the home side didn’t make the same mistake twice when centre Rob Horne slam dunked the ball over the line despite Jonathan Davies’ best efforts, to give the Wallabies a 17-15 lead.
Wales refused to lie down and put their noses in front with 10 minutes remaining through Halfpenny’s boot but another indiscretion at a ruck gifted Barnes a further opportunity to shoot at goal and the Wallaby fly half was on target from 35m to ensure 43 years of hurt continues for Wales as their search for a rare victory on Aussie soil continues.
Scorers: Australia: Try: Horne; Pens: Barnes (5)
Wales: Try: Jones; Con: Halfpenny; Pens: Halfpenny (4)
