Joe Schmidt’s reign as Australia coach obtained off to a high-quality begin in Sydney on Saturday with a gutsy conquer a Wales outfit that slumped to an eighth straight defeat.
Taniela Tupou, Filipo Daugunu and Tom Wright all crossed for tries because the energised Wallabies kick-started a brand new period with a 25-16 win. A bruising first half in entrance of 35,945 followers noticed two yellow playing cards – one for either side – and ended with the hosts simply three factors forward at 13-10.
The Wallabies turned on the afterburners within the second half, capped by a sensational 60-metre solo strive from weaving fullback Wright that broke the Welsh resolve.
It was an encouraging begin for Schmidt, who took over from Eddie Jones after Australia’s disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup marketing campaign the place the Aussies did not make the quarter-finals for the primary time.
Regardless of restricted preparation, his new-look squad, skippered by Liam Wright for the primary time and with a bunch of debutants, confirmed flashes of brilliance.
They dominated possession, a trait Schmidt instilled in Eire when he led them to turn out to be the primary group on the planet, and received the breakdown battle. However in addition they suffered from ill-discipline, conceding 12 penalties.
Wales’ self-discipline was additionally poor with defeat heaping extra strain on Warren Gatland, whose group thrashed Australia 40-6 on the World Cup however have now misplaced eight on the trot.
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Wrighty goes himself! 💨#Wallabies #AUSvWAL pic.twitter.com/0WGlJ3Waoc
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 6, 2024
Filipo on the Slip N Slide 💦#Wallabies #AUSvWAL pic.twitter.com/0lpBLDQUWn
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 6, 2024
It’s their longest run and not using a win since 2012, when in addition they slumped to eight defeats throughout Gatland’s first spell in cost.
Wales have now been winless in Australia for 12 matches stretching again to 1969, with yet one more Check in Melbourne subsequent week to cease the rot.
They arrived with out a number of injured gamers, and made six adjustments from the group that misplaced closely to the Springboks a fortnight in the past.
They opened the scoring when Ben Thomas nailed a long-range penalty within the second minute after a harmful sort out by James Slipper.
However the hosts hit again instantly with a penalty of their very own, transformed by Noah Lolesio who slotted one other from distance quickly after to present them the lead.
With Australia seeing much more of the ball, the primary strive got here on 20 minutes with large prop Tupuo barging over after a collection of decide and drives. Including to Welsh woes, prop Gareth Thomas was sin-binned.
However the guests persevered and received a penalty strive minutes later after a maul was pulled down, which noticed Australia’s Fraser McReight yellow-carded to depart the perimeters with 14 males every.
Wales levelled the scores quickly after the interval with a profitable penalty, however winger Daugunu then noticed a spot on the suitable and darted by means of together with his momentum serving to him slide over the strive line.
One other pin-point penalty from Thomas narrowed the hole to 2 factors with quarter-hour left earlier than Wright’s cracking attempt to Tom Lynagh’s conversion put the sport past attain.
© Agence France-Presse
Picture: @wallabies/Twitter
