This match had been considered the crunch tie in the deciding the final shape of the pool and the Australian win puts them in the driving seat.Today’s win with bonus point means they have a maximum point haul of 10 after two matches. Wales and Fiji are on five points each with Fiji’s game in hand against Canada coming in Cardiff on Sunday.
Wales found themselves 25-3 down at the half as the Australian side clicked to score three tries. Wales’s only score came from a penalty, and was scant reward for a combative half that could have been very different were it not for the bounce of a ball here and there. Stephen Jones missed two penalties, and handed kicking duties over to James Hook – Hook having come on for the injured Gareth Thomas on 21 minutes. But all that came after an impressive start from Australia.
The wallabies suffered a major blow on the eve of the match with fly half Stephen Larkham failed a late fitness test after aggravating a knee injury while kicking in a final practice session on Friday. Queensland Reds’ Berrick Barnes took over the reigns to make his Wallaby debut, and had an impact in the opening try of the match. His line-break burst on 14 minutes caught Gareth Jenkins’s men flat footed and a simple pass inside found Giteau who dashed under the posts.
Thomas, winning his 99th cap for the Three Feathers, was lucky to remain on the field as he left Barnes on the deck with a late shoulder charge. But worse was to follow for the skipper as he was forced to leave the field in the 21st minutes after sustaining a collarbone injury.
Australia fly half Berrick Barnes extended the Wallabies advantage with a long range drop goal before Mortlock touched down after an intelligent kick by veteran George Gregan. Australia scored their third try on the stroke of half time. Drew Mitchell’s pass found Latham who duly converted in expert fashion.
But Wales went into the second half facing a 22 point deficit An injection of pace coupled with some smarter decisions saw that gap cut to just 12 points, Jonathan Thomas spinning over from close range and Hook hitting a penalty. Then the genius of Chris Latham struck again and Australia had the home side at arms length and see out the match.
Wales produced their best rugby of the match in the final 20 minutes and Shane Williams well earned try with just five minutes left gives them confidence going into Thursday’s must win match against Japan in Cardiff.
