WALES (13) 20 AUSTRALIA (19 ) 52
By DAVID NICHOLSON
at the Millennium Stadium

AUSTRALIA racked up 52 points in a decisive victory in Cardiff against a hapless Wales who looked bereft of ideas.
The rampant Wallabies ran in eight tries as they look to complete a Grand Slam of victories over the four home nations.
With victories over England and Wales only Ireland and Scotland stand between head coach Joe Schmidt’s men from equalling the record-breaking side of 1984.

Australia rushed to a substantial first-half lead after scoring three tries and leading by 19 points to zero after just 20 minutes.
But Wales refused to buckle despite their !0-match losing streak and Aaron Wainright managed to snaffle a try under the posts after the home side won a penalty from a scrum.

Two successful penalty kicks for fly-half Gareth Anscombe and Wales went in at half-time just one converted try from the lead.

Scarlets winger Tom Rogers had a good first half and head coach Warren Gatland will be pleased with his defending and attacking play, especially after he snaffled a try with just 12 minutes of the game to go.

Samu Kerevi’s game was over when he was yellow carded one minute into the second half, which was upgraded to a red card after a bunker review.

But that was game over for Wales as the visitors racked up 21 points with 14 players.

The Wallabies were looking to run the ball and were breaking the gainline at will.

With Australia dominating the line out, stealing three Welsh lineouts, they also had a formidable rolling maul.
As a former hooker Gatland will be incensed with how easy Australia dominated lineout possession.

Wales have now lost all their games this year and have slunk to 11 in the World rankings, their lowest position as they dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since they were first published in 2003.

Wales losing streak also means they sink to an all-time results low in their 143-year international rugby history.

This latest defeat will increase the pressure on Gatland as his side has now lost a record-breaking 11 consecutive losses.
Since beating Georgia at the World Cup in October 2023, Wales have been toppled by Argentina, Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Italy, South Africa, Australia (thrice) and Fiji.

With world champions South Africa looming on 23 November, Wales could go through a whole calendar year without winning a Test, which they have not experienced since 1937 when they lost three games in that 12 months.
Australia travel to Scotland next Sunday where Gregor Townsend’s men are looking for a result against one of the big southern hemisphere sides.

Wallaby full-back Tom Wright was a deserved man-of-the-match after he scored three tries, with his last score taking his side to a half-century as the clock turned red