With that, I’ll sign off. I’ve got a sidebar to write up, so do keep an eye out for that.
Here’s Jack Snape’s take from AAMI Park:
Well done to Australia who have two wins on the bounce. Where now for Gatland and his team who are staring at a nine game losing streak?
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What does Dewi Lake make of it?
We gave ourselves a mountain to climb. Credit to the boys, but it’s the same message. Credit to their kicking game. They scored three tries off kicks.
[On the maul] I’m just the one who finishes it off. It’s been a massive weapon for us and gives us confidence. We just need to fix up those inaccuracies. We’re learning. But we have to take the opportunities.
And the skipper, James Slipper had this to say:
They kept us under pressure. Good result for us but one to work.
We were confident in how we wanted to play, nice and tight. Capitalise on our set piece. Good old rugby, our discipline let us down tonight, a man in the bin. Just these things to work on but at the end of the day we got the win and we will move on.
Now Lukhan Salakaia-Loto who is pitchside:
Massive. Getting back to back wins, we knew that’s what we wanted to do, that was string back to back wins which is huge for the group
We knew they were going to come with a physical response after last weekend. We were due for those punches and that is where it is won upfront and I thought we did a good job there.
Here’s the brilliantly moustachioed Nic White:
We’re enjoying our football at the moment. This support honestly, I just it just makes a difference. This week in Melbourne it is ordinary conditions but people come out and it looks great. Thank you for your support.
Most importantly people are coming out as well.
Full-Time! Australia 36-28 Wales
Australia win the series! Wales had their moments but were always chasing the game. That’s nine defeats on the bounce for Warren Gatland as Joe Schmidt’s new dawn is off to a golden start.
80 min: That’s a statement. Australia win the scrum penalty as Wales were illegally wheeling in an attempt to win the ball back.
79 min: Wales are stringing together a few phases but are kept at arm’s length by some stiff Australian defence. Then Costelow spills an awkward pass. That will be that. Nine defeats on the trot incoming.
Penalty! Australia 36-28 Wales (Donaldson, 78)
Donaldson forces Wales to score twice. Can they do it?
76 min: It’s helter-skelter. There’s an off-side call against Wales and Wright taps and goes quickly. Poor decision to be frank, three points would have killed this game. But there’s another penalty for Australia, this time inside Wales’ 22 after the Wallabies come close with Daugunu on the left tram looking for a hat-trick. Donaldson will take aim at the poles to put this beyond a converted try.
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75 min: Lloyd – on for Lake – misses his second line-out in a minute. Great work from Gleeson to nick the ball off Tshiunza at the front.
74 min: Another well placed kick from Costelow. Grady challenges in the air inside Australia’s 22 and an Aussie hands knocks the ball out so Wales have a line-out within striking distance. Oh, but they make a mess of the line-out so White is able to get his hands on it and kicks it out towards half-way.
73 min: Costelow’s raking kick lands behind Daugunu, but it bobbles inside the try area and everyone takes a breath before the goal-line drop-out.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 33-28 Wales (Dyer, 70)
It’s not over yet! Immense strength form, Dyer who collected a pass following a charged down kick and then held off one tackler, brushed off another and dotted down under pressure from another defender. An excellent score from nothing. Nic White’s box kick was blocked by Tshiunza which caused chaos. Costelow, on as a replacement, nails the conversion. Five points in this.
TRY! Australia 33-21 Wales (Daugunu, 67)
Oh no! Liam Williams, what have you done?! Lolesio’s kick from the penalty is drifting over the line until Williams leaps and keeps it in play. But Daugunu is on it in a flash and gathers the loose ball and saunters over for an easy try. Think Cheslin Kolbe’s score last week against Ireland as James Lowe kept the ball alive. It’s brilliant work from Williams but he’s punished for it. Lolesio misses the conversion from the tram.
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66 min: Wales return the favour as they give away a penalty for obstruction. A let off after their attack was starting to shape something together.
64 min: A brilliant take in the air under pressure from Lolesio keeps the ball for Australia after Wales failed to do much from their line-out. Then it’s a little game of kick tennis that ends with Lolesio dropping a high kick. Good patience shown by Wales. They’re rewarded with a scrum just beyond the Wallabies’ 22.
63 min: Getting a bit stop-start. Valetini thought he was through, but there was an obstruction call against Australia. Line-out on half-way for Wales after Thomas’ touch finder.
62 min: Whenever Australia have challenged at the line-out, as opposed to wait for the impact of the maul, they’ve had success. Again they lift a jumper and disrupt Wales’ ball. Soon after they’re getting the penalty for an infringement on the ground by a Welshman. In the blin of an eye it’s a throw for the debutant Nasser who’s on as Australia’s replacement hooker.
60 min: Big shove from the Welsh pack and they come up with a scrum penalty. Griffin getting the plaudits. Thomas’ kick will have Lake throwing to the line around Australia’s 22.
60 min: Slick ball off the top of the Aussie line-out has the backs cantering forward. Lolesio stringing things together finds Valetini on a diagonal line. The fly-half has it agaibn and goes himself. There’s a knock-on as Wales inject some oomph in their defence with greater line-speed so the visitors will have the scrum feed just inside their own half.
58 min: Valetini with an almighty steal on his own line! Wales are so close and looked a certainty to score. But the home town lad comes up with the goods when his country needed him.
57 min: Off another successful maul drive, Grady punches a hole in midfield. Now Wales are into the Australian 22 and in a flash are five metres out…
TRY! Australia 28-21 Wales (Alaalatoa, 54)
The big man scores his first Test try in his 69th match! And there’s no stopping him from there. The driving maul brought it close but not close enough. So a couple of pick-and-goes inched it even closer. Then the big unit, off the bench for Tupou, barged over for his first five pointer in gold. Lolesio’s conversion strikes the upright.
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53 min: Faessler drops the ball five metres from Wales’ line, but there was a penalty advantage. Lolesio dinks the ball out. They’re going to try and give Wales a taste of their own medicine with a driving maul.
52 min: Australia keep it simple by going to the front of the line-out. They get a drive going until Faessler splinters and goes himself. Williams sneaks through a half gap and steals the ball. But there’s a Welsh knock-on in the morass of bodies so Australia get the scrum feed which turns into a free-kick five out.
51 min: Penalty against Wales for taking the man out illegally at the breakdown. It was Williams who cleared Cale away from a side entry. So Lolesio nudges to the corner, about seven metres out. Wallabies’ line-out.
51 min: Time off as there’s a bit of afters off the ball. Williams shoves Cale in the face, but to be fair to the Welsh winger, he was chucked on the ground after the ball had been moved on. Not sure if this should be penalised but I think someone is in trouble.
50 min: Kellaway runs but is flattened around half-way. Australia are looking to up the tempo but McReight receives a pass with his heels on the floor. Wright hoists a high kick that is brilliantly fielded by Winnett – the young fullback is having a wonderful second half.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 23-21 Wales (Williams, 48)
Liam Williams caps off a brilliant team try! A strong maul, excellent recycling, lovely hands, a superb line from Plumtree, a stiff leg drive from Lake, then it was Thomas with men to his left and all he had to do was shovel it down the line. It was a matter of who would score and the final pass found Williams who gathered a metre or two from the line and dived over. Thomas then converts and it’s a two point game.
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47 min: Wales get the maul rumbling and make about 10 metres with Lake at the back of the set-piece. Australia get the ball loose but Wales hold on. They’re keeping it close with their forwards on the 22. Now down the line as Thomas finds a Plumtree on a wonderful line. They’re five metres out now thanks to a strong drive from Lake.
45 min: Australia are back near their own line as a sloppy pass and a kick ahead from Dyer (I think) has the men in gold scampering to clean up. Gordan’s kick goes beyond the 22, but this is a good opportunity for Wales.
44 min: Cale steals the line-out for Australia. Great defence this time from the Wallabies, opting to lift a jumper rather than brace for the maul. A good clearing kick means they’re back to half-way.
42 min: Exceptional line speed on defence from Wales has repelled Australia all the way back into their own territory. So they kick. This time Winnett holds on. Wales return the kick and Australia gather. Gordan box-kicks. Winnett wins it again and gets a penalty as Daugunu takes him out in the air. Sloppy from Australia. Wales win the battle of wits.
41 min: A monsters carry from Flook at outside centre gets Australia going. Wales’ defence, with Williams leading the charge, shoves the Wallabies back to half-way, though.
We’re back underway. Can Wales turn this around? Next score will be crucial.
Half-Time: Australia 23-14 Wales
That’ll do for now. Cracking game so far. Two tries apiece. Welsh indiscipline and Lolesio’s accurate boot has been the difference.
40+2 min: Better ball off the top of the line-out and they go through the hands. Paisami charges. Lolesio wriggles through. Tupou, for the third time in this move, carries as well. But Lake wills a jackal penalty on the floor. He’s had a banging game.
40 min: Another penalty at the breakdown against Wales. Poor discipline from Botham who sauntered in from the side. Australia will have one last chance to strike before the break. They have the line-out feed just beyond Wales’ 22.
Penalty! Australia 23-14 Wales (Lolesio, 39)
He’s kicking well this evening. Three points with a man in the sin-bin.
38 min: Yet again Wales give away a penalty immediately after scoring a try. They call those coach killers.
Salakaia-Loto’s yellow will remain a yellow. Griffin dropping his head saved the Wallaby lock.
Updated
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 20-12 Wales (Lake, 36)
Lake at the double! Jenkins in the air. Maul. Rumble. Try. So easy. Australia have no answer to this Welsh maul. Thomas curls the conversion over from the right.
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YELLOW CARD! Australia (Salakaia-Loto, 35)
I think that’s fair. I don’t think there’s any malice in this, but it’s a clear shoulder to Griffin’s head, with considerable force behind it, so a yellow card it is and Thomas will nudge to the corner and ask his forwards to set another maul.
35 min: Time off as they’re looking at a potential high shot on Griffin from Salakaia-Loto.
34 min: No maul this time as Australia manage to disrupt Wales’ line-out. But the Welsh still have it and Thomas opts to kick after the ball goes down the line. His kick is charged down. But so is Gordan’s kick which means Wales have it back inside Australia’s 22. Thomas finds Dyer round the corner. Winnett wriggles off the right wing back infield. But Paisami gets over the ball and forces the penalty. Brilliant work from the Wallaby centre.
33 min: Penalty for Wales now. Australia collapsed that maul and will have to defend another one closer to their line as Thomas punts the ball into their 22.
32 min: Gordan’s box kicking has been excellent and his lands another solid strike from his own 22 up to half-way. That’s better exit work from the Wallabies.
Penalty! Australia 20-7 Wales (Lolesio, 31)
Down the middle. What a way to take the sting out that Welsh try.
30 min: Gatland will be fuming as his Winnett gives away a penalty right in front of the poles from the restart. He was caught holding onto the ball on the ground. He could have done with more support at the breakdown.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 17-7 Wales (Lake, 30)
Mauled try and Wales are on the board! Simple as. A clean take in the air, a quickly formed cluster of forwards and a solid second shove has the skipper trail behind and fall over for the score. This time Ben Thomas slots it through the poles.
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28 min: Cale gives away a penalty from a Welsh line-out, taking out Plumtree’s arm in the air. So Wales will have a shot from five metres out after a great touch finder from Thomas.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 17-0 Wales (Gordan, 25)
A try from nothing! An innocuous kick from Gordan is spilled by Winnett and the following bounce is kind for the Australian scrumhalf who chased his own boot. He picks up from the wet grass and does well to hold onto it, step off his left foot and slide over the line.
Lolesio brought his kicking boots. That’s a delicious arcing shot at goal.
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24 min: Australia win the penalty at the scrum. Thomas penalised for losing his shape. Solid from Tupou.
22 min: Australia boss the scrum and force Wales all the way back to the 22. It’s all a bit messy. Greasy conditions aren;’t helping. Still, Wales have the ball. A short ball from Thomas finds Plumtree – who is playing really well – but there’s another knock-on, this time from Watkins, so Australia will have the scrum feed on their own 22.
20 min: Winnett finds a great touch finder with front foot ball. Feassler will have to throw again five metres from his own line. It’s turned over again! Wales have another shot as there’s a knock-on from Australia. Great work from Jenkins causing chaos in the air. Five metre scrum for Wales.
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19 min: Wales almost score! Feassler overthrows at the five metre line-out. Tshuinza gets in the air and disrupts the line-out. Plumtree has it but he’s held up over the line. My goodness that was almost diabolical from the Wallabies.
19 min: Plumtree hooks a ball from the skies so Wales have it in Australian territory. Williams is freed up on the left tram and he has Botham in support. The flanker is running down the wing but can’t beat the last defender and is bundled into touch.
17 min: Thomas has shanked it! That wasn’t dead in front, but with the angle and his right foot, he really should have made that. He’s missed by some distance, as if he expected it to curl like a James Anderson away swinger. Instead it was barrel straight.
16 min: Lake wins a penalty on the ground straight from the restart. So Ben Thomas will take aim to reduce the deficit by three points.
Penalty! Australia 10-0 Wales (Lolesio, 15)
Simple as. Australia into double figures and it’s no less than they deserve.
13 min: 22 phases now. Australia are battering on Wales’ door. Slipper picks and goes himself but spills in contact. No bother, they have the penalty advantage. That was Joe Schmidt rugby. Continuity, playing off nine. Really neat from the Wallabies. Slipper points to the poles.
12 min: Up to 12 phases now as Australia keep it close with their forwards. They’re into Wales’ 22 and get the penalty advantage. Valetini carries over the gainline. 16 phases now and five metres out.
11 min: Slick from Australia as they go down the left with sharp hands in the backline off the scrum. Daugunu has it close to Wales’ 22.
9 min: Wales knock on again in contact. Grady the guilty man this time.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 7-0 Wales (Daugunu, 7)
Australia go the length of the field and score a blockbuster! Watkin’s kick ahead put Wright under pressure. Kellaway had a job to do on his own line. He could have kicked to clear the danger but instead chipped ahead and gave chase. He won the ball in the air and fed McReight. The flanker steamed ahead and just as he was about to be hauled in, passed for Daugunu on his right. Lolesio converts.
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7 min: Australia can’t find gaps when they carry and go to the boot. That seems to be a ploy here. Wales get the ball back and retain it after B Thomas dinks over the top. Watkin dabs a kick ahead that causes Wright all sorts of problems close to his own line but the fullback does well. So does Kellaway under pressure as he wriggles free from a tackle and kicks ahead. Hang on, this could work out well for Australia…
5 min: Cale picks up from the back of the scrum and charges forward. Lolesio’s kick is charged down and Williams pinches the ball on the ground so Wales can attack inside Australia’s territory. Winnett joins the line. Watkin straightens. Quick hands from Botham finds Plumtree off his shoulder. B Thomas tips on just before taking the hit. Lovely stuff from Wales but then B Thomas, under no pressure at all, kicks it straight out into touch.
3 min: Gordan hoofs another box kick that’s fielded by Bevan. Plumtree carries and is tackled by two defenders and spills in the contact. Scrum to Australia on half way.
2 min: Gordan’s box kick from his own 22 is regathered by Australia and Paisami launches an attack. A kick down field is fielded by Wales who set up a box kick from Bevan. Probing start here.
Thane Garvey delivers a poignant Welcome to Country, in what is Naidoc Week, before a beautiful rendition of Wales’ ‘Land of my fathers’ is followed by a stirring ‘Advance Australia fair’.
Almost game time. Australia in their gold jerseys and green shorts. Wales in red jumpers and white slacks.
Nika Amashiukeli – who is absolutely stacked, by the way, he could play in the back row for either side – will be today’s referee.
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“Replicate some of the things we did well and hopefully solve some of the things we didn’t do so well.”
How’s that for some cutting edge rugby insight from Joe Schmidt?
To be fair, he’s not exactly going to divulge trade secrets 10 minutes before kick off.
Want to see a picture of two big men shaking hands?
Not long now ⏳ pic.twitter.com/U36K8IQZFc
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 13, 2024
“For us this week the focus is reducing our turnover rate,” says Warren Gatland.
“That allowed Australia some really soft tries at the end.”
I hope he’s also focussed on execution in Australia’s red zone. There were a few moments where they could have put the game to bed themselves.
They’ll miss Wainwright either side of the ball. Wonder how his absence might impact Wales’ ability to reduce turnovers.
Yup. It’s lashing down! Could that swing things in Wales’ favour?
Word is its raining in Melbourne. Sam Warburton on my screen has hinted that a wet game might help the Welsh.
Dewi Lake is confident his team can end this eight game losing streak.
I mean, he’s not going to say anything else, is he? Still, good to hear that the Welsh skipper is backing his boys. And there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t win today.
“What this group needs is a win just to kickstart that run of form,” he said.
“Winning is a habit, so as soon as we get that first one under our belts, you never know what can happen.”
James Slipper will skipper the Wallabies for the 15th time in his illustrious career.
It was 2021 the last time he took charge of the team but the man with 135 Test caps insists on looking forward, as he said this week.
Slipper skippers Wallabies once again
It’s another change in the captain’s seat as the veteran James Slipper takes over.
Liam Wright, who lead the side last week, is out today with an injury picked up from the first Test.
The exciting 23-year-old Charlie Cale gets a start at No 8 as Rob Valetini moves to the flank.
Last week’s dynamic back three get another chance to shine and hooker Josh Nasser will make his debut off the bench that is split between five forwards and three backs.
Wallabies: Wright; Kellaway, Flook, Paisami, Daugunu; Lolesio, Gordan; Slipper (c), faessler, Tupou, Williams, Salakaia-Loto, Valetini, McReight, Cale.
Replacements: Nasser, Kailea, Alaalatoa, Blyth, Gleeson, White, Donaldson, Pietsch.
Your Melbourne Match Day 23 🔒
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 11, 2024
🗓️ Saturday 13 July
🏟️ AAMI Park
🎟️ https://t.co/NSxQMQrqmY
📺 @StanSportAU & Nine#Wallabie pic.twitter.com/ccrcbPvLpn
Gatland changes four in pursuit of series leveller
Two positional shifts, two switches in personnel for Wales.
Sadly the brilliant Aaron Wainwright is out injured so Taine Plumtree slots into the No 8 position. Big shoes to fill there.
James Botham joins the back row with Tommy Reffell keeping his place.
Young Cameron Winnett starts at full-back with Liam Williams and Rio Dyer patrolling the wings. Mackenzie Martin will look to make an impact off the bench.
Wales: Winnett; Williams, Watkin, Grady, Dyer; B Thomas, Bevan; G Thomas, Lake (c), Griffin, Tshiunza, Jenkins, Botham, Reffell, Plumtree.
Replacements: Lloyd, Mathias, O’Connor, Hill, Martin, Hardy, Costelow, Tompkins.
🏴 𝐗𝐕 𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐑𝐔 🏴
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 10, 2024
The 23 players for the 2nd Test in Melbourne.
👊 Amdani bois!
Full story below ⬇️
Preamble
Rapture or ruin, which will it be for these fallen giants of world rugby?
Thanks to a morale-boosting, but still relatively disjointed 25-16 win, Australia know that even a defeat here wouldn’t be a disaster. After all, this is only Joe Schmidt’s second game in charge of a team that was a laughing stock not long ago, and few have expected him to iron out every kink in such a short space of time.
For Wales, though, this really is serious business. Eight straight defeats has seen Warren Gatland’s team plummet to an all-time low of 11th on World Rugby’s rankings, below Fiji and Italy, and their supporters will be desperate for some good news.
Wales were decent in patches last week, with handy performances from Aaron Wainwright (who I’d personally back to get a Lions call next year) and a handful of others. But a more complete show is needed her, especially in the half-back positions and from the tight five.
The Wallabies won’t be in a giving mood and will be after a clean sweep to get their era off to a promising start. When they clicked seven days ago, they were electric, providing reminders that for all the off field maladies, Australian athletes are still capable of special things on the pitch.
Loads on the line with this one. Which way do you see it going? Do write in, I’d love to hear from you.
Kick off at 7:45pm in Melbourne, 10:45 BST.
Teams and updates to come.
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