In a titantic struggle the current Grand Slam champions edged a thriller against the former world champs. Both sides scored two tries apiece but it was Wales who managed to come out on top to claim their first scalp of the autumn campaign against one of the southern hemisphere super powers.
Australia were looking to finish their UK and France autumn tour undefeated but robust Welsh defence ensured they suffered defeat after victories over Italy, England and France.
Australia kicked off but were under immediate pressure when full-back Drew Mitchell dropped an awkward pass from young winger Digby Ioane inside his own half.
A midfield collision between Jamie Roberts and Stirling Mortlock drew a collective intake of breath from the capacity crowd. While the Welsh centre was able to dust himself down, the Wallaby skipper had to be led from the field in just the second minute.
A minute later a breathtaking move saw Wales score the first try of the match. Roberts was put into space and looked certain to score but Mitchell made a desperate tackle. Wales quickly recycled the ball and Shane Williams was on hand to finish off to score his 44th Test try.
All the early running was with Wales as they sought to claim their second win of the autumn campaign. But almost out of nothing, the Wallabies hit the front in the 15th minute.
From a Wales line-out, the ball bounced away from Gareth Cooper and Aussie lock Mark Chisholm snapped up the ball and galloped 55m to the try-line. With Giteau adding the conversion, the Wallabies had a slender 7-5 advantage.
The try spurred Australia on and only a last ditch tackle by Adam Jones stopped another five pointer. The after effects of his earlier clash forced Roberts off as the match began to simmer nicely.
Australia increased their lead in the 25th minute when Giteau slotted a snap drop goal after patient work by the forwards. But Wales hit back after a period of sustained pressure. Only an ankle tap by lingering prop Al Baxter denied Andy Powell from romping over. However from the following phase Australia were penalised with hooker Stephen Moore sent to the sin bin. Jones stepped up and sent the kick between the sticks to reduce the deficit to 10-8.
Wales regained the lead in the 31st minute when Williams took the ball from first receiver and hoodwinked three Wallaby defenders to send a flying Byrne through the gap to score by the posts to give Jones an easy conversion to give Wales a 15-10 lead.
Wales could have increased the lead but Martyn Williams dropped the ball with the try-line at his mercy. For the remainder of the half Wales took the attack to the former World Champions but they held their line to go in at the break 15-10 ahead.
Wales had the opportunity to increase the lead immediately from the re-start but Jones missed a penalty after Phil Waugh was penalised for not releasing. When Australia were handed with a similar opportunity only moments later, Giteau made no mistake to bite into Wales’s lead.
Jones then fluffed his lines again when he failed to nail a 40m penalty in front of the posts. A titanic arm wrestle then materialised with both sides throwing the kitchen sink at each other
Jones made amends for his earlier miss when he scooped over a drop goal in the 68th minute to nudge Wales further ahead at 18-13.
With two minutes of the game remaining Jones sent the Welsh fans into ecstacy when he rifled over his second penalty of the game. The Aussies hit back with typical fortitude as the clock ticked nearer to full-time.
The Wallabies swept downfield to send winger Digby Ioane over. With only seconds remaining Giteau missed the drop kick conversion and it was simply a matter of battening down the hatches as every Welshman on the field defended for their live’s. The Wallabies had the ball for the entire extra three minutes but Wales stubbornly held firm to regain the James Bevan Trophy.
Wales: Tries – Williams, Byrne; Con – Jones; Pens – Jones (2); DG – Jones
Australia: Tries – Chisholm, Ioane; Con – Giteau; Pen – Giteau; DG – Giteau
