With that I’ll sign off and leave you with Angus Fontaine.
Do keep an eye out for his match report to come.
Hope you’ll join me at the South Africa v Ireland game later.
Thanks for keeping me company. And well done Australia!
Updated
“It’ll take a while for the new players to settle,” says Dan Biggar, “but this is international rugby and it’s about winning.”
That’s eight losses on the bounce for Wales.
FULL-TIME: Australia 25-16 Wales
Mission accomplished for Joe Schmidt, who gets his tenure as Wallabies’ head coach off to a winning start.
It wasn’t a classic, though there was a try for the ages by Tom Wright.
Wales gave a decent account of themselves, but didn’t deserve to win that. Poor at set-piece and not enough punch from their ball carriers, Australia are deserving winners in the end.
80 min: Big counter ruck from Australia forces the ball to spill loose at the back. McDermott kicks from the deck and into touch. The hooter sounds. Wales will have the line-out throw but that is the game.
79 min: Australia kick deep forcing Wales to attack from their own 22. They get a penalty and tap and go quickly. Up to half-way. Costelow running lovely patterns but it’s too little, too late. Australia are now stopping them at the line. Just not enough punch in contact.
77 min: Wales lose the line-out. Another disappointing under-throw and Australia can disrupt it and make a mess of the ball. Now they win a penalty around their 22, with McReight getting the plaudits for what could be a game-clinching steal.
76 min: Costelow is stitching things together like a seasoned pro. Why didn’t he start? Anyway, Wales attack with greater zeal. Watkins and Tshiunza and Dyer and Hathaway all involved with firm carries. Grady too. There’s a penalty against Australia as Valetini loses his feet after clattering Dyer. So Wales have the line-out throw 10 metres out.
74 min: Valetini puts in a mighty tackle but Wales keep coming. They’re up to the 22. Costelow is on and adding a different dimension, providing better shape. He kicks ahead and Hathaway is almost in their, diving desperately to collect the bouncing ball. Tom Wright puts enough pressure and forces the knock-on. Better from Wales. Costelow’s impact is immediate.
72 min: Lynagh kicks from deep and keeps it in field. With a nine point advantage I reckon Australia are going to try go on the defensive here. Wales need a spark. Tshiunza, who was guilty when Wales had a try disallowed, carries well but is stopped in his tracks. Wales are buslting but Australia are meeting them. Kellaway makes a brilliant tackle on the wing to bundle Grady out into touch. That Wright try has given them all a spring in their step.
TRY! Australia 25-16 Wales (T Wright, 69)
UNREAL TRY! That is the Australia of old. It’s a nothing kick from Hathaway and Lynagh gathers and steams up field. He feeds Wright to his right but there’s still the better part of 50 metres to go and the Brumbies full-back bursts past the onrushing defenders, steps one, lines up his opposite number and rounds him as well. The slide over the line is textbook as well.
Lynagh lands the conversion, for his first points in Test rugby. Just the 909 needed to go level with his old man.
Updated
67 min: Tom Wright coughs up in contact after Lynagh finds him flat at close range. Great defence from Tompkins. But then Wales kick out on the full so Australia have the line-out. Never mind, they’ve knocked on shortly after so Wales have it back. A little messy period comes to an end with a Welsh boot into Aussie territory.
Penalty! Australia 18-16 Wales (B Thomas, 66)
In off the post! It just about got there, and just about went over. But it counts all the same and we have a two point game with 15 minutes to go!
65 min: Penalty for Wales as Griffin comes up with a big steal on the deck. Do they kick for the corner? Nope. Thomas lines up a 45 metre kick on the angle.
64 min: It’s messy at the back of the line-out but Wales retain possession. They go through the phases but there’s a knock-on. McReight and Valletini double up to force the error with a thumping twin tackle.
Tom Lynagh, son of Michael, Australia’s all-time points scorer, comes on to make his Test debut after his brother Louis, did likewise for Italy this year.
62 min: Wales counter quickly and in a flash Bevan lands a 50-22. Suddenly this game has exploded into life. Wales have a line-out within touching distance if they cab get a drive going. What a huge territorial swing.
61 min: Kellaway almost scores a worldie! Think Tyrone Green against Newcastle for Quins in the Premiership. Australia were setting up inches from the Welsh line, carrying with the big boys. The ball goes out the back and Lolesio’s cross-kick searches for Kellaway. It’s too far in front of the winger but he almost gets there with a superman dive.
59 min: Tshiunza commits another sin. This time at the breakdown, he’s reaching out and obstructing Gordan who is digging for the ball. Can’t do that. Not sure if he knew that was a scrum-half. Not a great minute for the lock forward.
WALES TRY CHALKED OFF! Australia 18-13 Wales
It’s for obstruction just as the maul was set. Thsiunza added his bulk to the mass of bodies, but took out a defender illegally, entering in from the side and restricting the Wallaby from stopping the primary drive. It'’s the right call.
Hang on! They might chalk this off….
TRY! Australia 18-18 Wales (Botham, 57)
Never mind passing, just maul it over! Tight at the line-out, that maul was quickly set and powering over in no time. Botham has only been on the field a matter of seconds but he’s the man to emerge with the ball over the line.
56 min: Wainwright steps and is through, he’s got a player either side of him. Bevan is on the classic support line from a scrum-half on his inside but Gordan makes a brilliant ankle tap tackle on Wainwright before he can get the pass away. Outstanding. Lolesio steals the ball but Wales get the penalty after an Aussie puts his hands on the floor as he stoops to secure the ball. Oh man, that was a real chance for Wales. If Wainwright passed that was a try.
55 min: Clinical from Australia and now Gordan exits to half-way with a ranging box kick. Suddenly they look the sharper of the two teams but plenty to go. Lake finds his jumper and Wales attack from half-way.
TRY! Australia 18-13 Wales (Daugunu, 53)
Wow! That’s a try secured through raw pace and wet grass. Daugunu, coming off his wing and joining the attack round the corner, burst through a gap on the angle. He’s hauled in about seven metres short but thanks to his momentum and the slick grass he slid over to dot down. Just as well. he had men in support and opted not to use them. Accurate passing, patience and efficient strike play. Much better from Australia. Wale cut open for the first time.
Lolesio can’t add the extras from out wide.
Updated
51 min: Lake throws to the front of the line but it’s not straight. He’s not erred with every throw, but that’s three important line-outs that haven’t gone according to plan. After relieving pressure, they now have to defend a scrum just outside their own 22.
50 min: Australia going through the phases with big carries, but Wales hold firm and it’s Tshiunza who gets over the ball and comes up with a brilliant steal following a solo carry from Gordan. The Aussie scrum-half thought he spotted a gap but it was a poor decision as he quickly found himself isolated against amuch larger man.
49 min: Australia stitch a menacing move from the back of a scrum. That’s been their most potent platform in this match. Gordan throws a dummy that almost finds a gap. Slipper carries and then Faesller. They’re about eight metres short. Building with the big boys, Alaalatoa is on the field. Five metres out….
Penalty! Australia 13-13 Wales (B Thomas, 46)
Easy as you like. Ben Thomas turns this dominant start to the second half into points on the board and we’re all square again.
Updated
44 min: Gordan box kicks after Australia secure the line-out on their own try line. A let off from Wales. They had a great opportunity to get some points on the board. Not clinical enough. But there’s a chance as they’re on the ball again. Now they have a penalty advantage after an Australian doesn’t roll away from a dominant Welsh carry. Liam Williams nudges a kick ahead. It doesn’t come off as it bobbles away out of touch, but Ben Thomas has the ball and is pointing to the poles within range. Better from Wales, if still lacking that killer blow.
43 min: Wales get the ball in and out, Wainwright picks up and goes down the blind. He feeds Hathaway but Daugunu shepherds him out of touch.
43 min: Scrum goes down. So they reset….
42 min: Wales with the five metre scrum. What can they come up with?
41 min: Lively start from Wales. Tom Wright has to dot down the ball in his own goal area. Dyer and Williams combined down the right. Hathaway kicks to keep the ball alive but the final boot is from an Australian. That means Wales will get the attacking scrum feed.
Back under way. Not much to separate them. Who’s going to be a hero?
Jamie Roberts says that Wales will be pleased to only be three points down.
I guess that’s true, they have lost the physical battle, but Australia aren’t cutting them to shreds.
It’s an obvious thing to say, but the first score after the break will be crucial.
A decent half without too much world class quality. Some moments for both coaches to focus on.
Wales’ defence has impressed. Australia’s scrum has clicked. But a lack of contunuioty elsewhere has rendered this a rather scrappy affair.
Still, thanks toa yellow card apiece and a try for Australia and a penalty try for Wales has kept things interesting.
Just about even with Australia rightly shading it on the scoreboard.
Half-time: Australia 13-10 Wales
That’ll be that. Wainwright picks up at the back of the scrum and carries. It’s sharp work from the Welsh No 8 after his pack has struggled at scrum time.
The ball is soon out of play and the whistle sounds for the break.
Updated
40 min: Australia can’t punch a hole through the Welsh line from the line-out. Paisami and Tupou try, but can’t find the gap. Salakaia-Loto knocks on in the face of quick line speed from Wales under the shade of their own poles. Wales’ defence has been impressive.
38 min: Australia kick after going nowhere with their carries. Wales return the favour and Tom Wright does well to hold on under pressure. Gordan then hoists a high kick and Bevan fumbles. It’s not complicated, but if you’re the team that knocks on in the game of kick tennis you’re handing the opposition a real opportunity. Wales then give away a penalty and Lolesio punts to the corner. Big moment at the end of the first half.
36 min: Dyer fields a tricky kick near the touchline and he has no choice but to carry the ball out. Australian line-out near half-way.
35 min: Daugunu, on the chase for a high kick, takes out a Hathaway in the air. Solid work from the young Welsh winger. Silly from Australia there. Every time they reestablish a foothold they cough up possession or a penalty.
Updated
33 min: Scrum penalty for Australia. Another big shove from Tupou. That’s one way to find an exit strategy.
32 min: Wales go short in the line with Jenkins fielding, but rather than maul they set a quick move round the back. There’s a knock-on in contact with Salakaia-Loto getting the pats on the back for a big hit in the tight channel. Scrum on Australia’s 22 for the men in gold.
31 min: Williams fields a nothing kick from Paisami and lands a brilliant 50-22 in return. fantastic from the Welsh fullback. Poor from Australia. Momentum is starting to turn and Wales will have the throw just inside Australia’s 22.
30 min: Australia have the ball but they appear unsure what to do with it. More than twice someone collects when they weren’t expecting the pass. Eventually Tupou knocks on just as he takes the contact. Wales counter and grubber ahead, forcing Australia to throw to the line inside their own 22. Lolesio gets the ball inside his own goal area and rushes a kick almost to half-way. Great punt.
28 min: Lake fails to find his jumper and Australia pinch it. Then Wales kick it out on the full. A little scrappy. In truth most of this game has been scrappy. But good energy from both sets of players.
Line-out to Australia about 10 metres in Welsh territory.
Updated
27 minL The referees are having a look at something on the big screen. Ooooh. Paisami could be in trouble here for clearing out Plumtree at the knee. But the cards stay in the pocket. Play on.
27 min: Now another penalty for Wales on the deck. Australia going over the top. That’s four of the last five pens going against the home team so Ben Thomas can hoof the ball down field for a line-out.
26 min: What a turnaround from Wales. Three dominant mauls resulting in three penalties, one penalty try and a yellow card for Australia. Game on!
PENALTY TRY! Australia 13-10 Wales (24)
Dominance from Wales who set the maul from the line-out and powered to the line. It’s brought down illegally and they’re handed seven points.
There’s insult to injury as a Wallaby is yellow-carded. It’s McReight!
Updated
24 min: No try. Bevan knocked-on just before the line. But Wales have the penalty and kick to the corner again.
It’s all happening! Wales might be in here. It’s a mess at the back as a chipped kick from B Thomas causes havoc behind the Australian line. A Wallaby dives to ground the ball in his own goal area but misses it. Dyer then pounces and grounds. But there might be a Welsh knock-on before all that….
23 min: Wales get a penalty within range but Ben Thomas kicks to the corner.
Yellow card! Wales (Thomas, 21)
Gareth Thomas has been sin-binned. I must admit I didn’t see the offence. Perhaps slowing the ball down as Australia were building. Or maybe something said after the try was scored…
TRY! Australia 13-3 Wales (Tupou, 21)
No stopping him from there! It was trademark Australia and also a bit of Schmidt to be seen. Continuity and ball retention as they cycled through the phases. Off the back of the line-out they punched it close to the line. And with a metre to go, the big prop picked the ball up and burrowed over.
Lolesio converts to underline his team’s dominance.
Updated
20 min: Australia are within touching distance after a strong carry from the line-out. Inches now…
19 min: Liam Wright gets up at the front of the line-out and steals the Welsh throw. A rare opportunity to attack blown by Wales. Then Wales give away another penaltyas Lake didn’t release after thinking he’d nicked it on the ground. The Welsh skipper is told to speak to his mates as that’s a collective warning. Next one and someone could spend 10 minutes in the bin.
18 min: Penalty against Australia this time. Liam Wright’s sneaky pass back inside was a poor one and Plumtree nailed the unwilling ball carrier in Tom Wright. Wanwright also with a big hit in the move. Better from Wales on defence.
16 min: Wales are caught off-side again. That’s five penalties in quick succession. Hard to get on the front foot when you’re coughing up pens. Strong carry from Tupou and that has Welsh players backpeddling, which often leads to one straying off-side.
Penalty! Australia 6-3 Wales (Lolesio, 14)
I was mistaken earlier! Lolesio actually missed his second shot at goal. This time he does indeed slot it through the poles and now Australia take the lead.
14 min: Australia win a scrum penalty. Tupou with a mighty shove and excellent timing as the ball came in.
12 min: Australia are looking to exploit Wales’ rush defence, kicking over the top. Lolesio knocks-on thanks to Jenkins blitzing off the line. Scrum to Wales in their own half.
Penalty missed! Australia 3-3 Wales (Lolesio, 11)
Correction! He missed a goober!
Updated
10 min: Australia scream through a hole with Kellaway motoring up field. Neat interplay has fullback Tom Wright on the ball. Wales are off-side so there’s a penalty advantage. Lolesio’s cross-kick keeps the move going. Lovely energy from Australia. But the move fizzles out so Lolesio will line up another shot at goal.
Updated
9 min: Wales win a line-out on half-way. They’re moving up-field with some zip before Thomas hurls a spiralling pass straight out of touch. He needed Dyer flatter on the wing.
Updated
Penalty! Australia 3-3 Wales (Lolesio, 7)
He could have back-heeled that over. We’re all square.
6 min: Another penalty, right in front of the posts. Wright points to the poles. This will be an easy three points. Slick from Australia. Liam Williams did well on the rush defence but lost his feet and put his hands on the ground after making a tackle.
5 min: Australia back on the ball. Williams on debut punches up field. Lolesio searches for a 50-22 but Thomas and Dyer keep it in field. But Australia swarm over the ball which compels Reffell to fly in on the side and give away a penalty. Lolesio punts to the corner for a five metre line-out.
Penalty! Australia 0-3 Wales (Thomas, 4)
Lovely shot! And Thomas is on the board. No arms from Slipper as he dived in on Lake. And that’s a great start for Wales.
2 min: Wales get a line-out on half-way and Jenkins brings it down. Thomas finds debutant Hathaway and then Thomas kicks high and Lolesio fields. They come back for a penalty for Wales as there was a no-arm tackle. Thomas points to the poles from 45 metres out on the angle to the left.
There’s a great buzz in the stadium (at least from the pictures). The Aussies are up for this. No skin in the game but I hope their players can bring it. I hope Wales bring it.
Alrighty, Wales in red. Australia in gold. Away we go…..
Time for the anthems now…
Australia have not won at this ground IN A DECADE!
My goodness, why do they keep coming back?
Good to see Michael Hooper carry out the match ball before kick-off. He recently retired from the game.
A genuine superstar, one of the greatest ever Wallabies, both as a player and as a leader.
“We’ll find out about each other and ourselves.”
So says Joe Schmidt pitch side before the match. He’s only had four full days to work with this group. This is a fact finding mission as much as a must-win game for the new boss.
Over on the Sky feed, Sam Warburton, Dan Biggar and Jamie Roberts are on the sofa. How’s that for a trio!
None of them look overly confident, nor are they predicting a Welsh win with any great certainty.
But, as Roberts points out, Wales have beaten Australia in four of their previous five meetings. And all three agree that this is not the Wallabies of the previous generation. They’re there for the taking. No doubt about it.
You don’t have to score tries to win rugby matches, but they do help.
Wales have to find a spark here. I said earlier that I can’t see this turning into a freewheeling contest, but the Aussies will still have a go, and you’d think that they’ll eventually find a hole.
Wales, therefore, will have to right a particular wrong.
Wales had a period of 36 mins or more without scoring in 7 consecutive Tests
— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) July 5, 2024
Does history matter more than recent form?
It’s been 55 years since Wales beat the Wallabies on Australian soil. Back in 1969, a 19-16 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground was secured by a team stacked with legends. Barry John, Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams and John Dawes were on hand to clinch a famous triumph.
Since then, though, it’s been all green and gold with the Wallabies beating Wales at home in 11 consecutive matches.
However, Wales were magnificent the last time they met. At last year’s World Cup, a disjointed display by Eddie Jones’ team saw Wales pummel Australia 40-6 – their biggest every win in this fixture.
Lucky number seven for the Wallabies?
Seven players make their debut today and they’ll be skippered by Liam Wright, the Queensland Red who was “surprised” to be handed the leadership role.
Wright is Australia’s seventh captain in the past 12 months.
A new era dawns for Australian rugby
Joe Schmidt has 13 Tests between now and the start of the arrival British & Irish Lions but that hasn’t stopped him fielding a new-look outfit for his first assignment.
Seven debutants, a new skipper and fresh combinations all round, this is most certainly a whole new chapter for the Wallabies.
James Slipper remains, however, and will form the cornerstone of a formidable starting front row. Rob Valetini, in the running for most dynamic No. 8 in the world, adds heft in the loose.
I’m a big fan of Noah Lolesio, but can he get enough front foot ball to work with, and will a relatively unknown back-line add some spark on the outside?
We’ll find out soon enough.
Your first Match Day 23 of the year 🔒
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 4, 2024
🗓️ Saturday 6 July
🏟️ Allianz Stadium
📺 @StanSportAU & Nine#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/i60xJvLcww
50 up for Aaron Wainwright
Amidst a torrid spell, Wales’ rangy back-rower has shone. He was my pick for Warren Gatland’s player of the Six Nations and he brings up a half century of caps today.
Liam Williams provides 90 caps’ worth of expereince at full-back but otherwise it’s a green group with nine players possessing less than 10 Test to their name, including Gloucester’s Josh Hathaway who makes his debut on the wing.
🏴𝐗𝐕 𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐑𝐔🏴
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 4, 2024
👊A reminder of the 23 to face Australia this Saturday
🧢5️⃣0️⃣for Aaron Wainwright
🧢cap cyntaf i Josh Hathaway pic.twitter.com/K45BoH4Vxw
Preamble
If ever there was a game involving two teams desperate for a win, this is it.
On and off the pitch, both Australia and Wales have endured spells that, one could argue, represents the lowest points in their respective histories. Wales have lost seven in a row and have the memory of a historic wooden spoon in last year’s Six Nations fresh in the memory.
The Wallabies were unceremoniously dumped out of last year’s World Cup at the group stage and parted ways with Eddie Jones following his disastrous (and brief) tenure as head coach.
And that’s before we talk about young stars walking away from union, some joining the NFL, others switching to rugby league. Chuck in a host of off-field maladies, including a whole heap of missing cash and poor management of the game and what you have are two proud unions that could really do with some good news.
Will that render this a slugfest with both sets of inexperienced players spooked into a conservative game? Or will they throw caution to the wind, daring to become heroes when their nations need one?
I’m expecting the former but hoping for the latter. Either way, every touch of the ball, every tackle, every ruck will carry meaning. Sound the ‘delicately poised’ klaxon. We could have a classic on our hands.
My name is Daniel/Dan and I’m chuffed to be calling this for you. Drop me a mail if you fancy sharing a thought with the group.
Kick-off at 7:45pm in Sudney/ 10:45am BST.
Teams and updates to follow.
