Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Australia vs Wales, Rugby World Cup 2019: Result and reaction from thrilling clash in Tokyo

Re-live all the action and reaction from a World Cup classic

Samuel Lovett
Tokyo Stadium
Sunday 29 September 2019 11:45 BST
Comments
Rugby World Cup: Wales in profile

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wales put one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals and announced themselves as major title contenders after beating Australia 29-25 at Tokyo Stadium.

The Six Nations champions took charge of Pool D with a second successive win that could lead to a last-eight clash against France or Argentina.

Australia, though, might be hurtling towards a knockout tie with England, who are coached by former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones, despite staging a spectacular second-half fightback.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

43 min: Australia 8-23 Wales

Wales go right from the scrum and it's George North who eventually breaks rank down the right, leading the charge deep into Australia's half. He's scathed down but manages to make the offload around his opposite man to release Gareth Davies. The nine is similarly stopped in his tracks 15 metres out, and Wales look to recycle.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 09:58

45 min: Australia 8-26 Wales (Patchell drop-kick)

Brilliant from the Welsh. Off that promising attack down the right, Gatland's men patiently moved themselves into position inside their opponent's 22 before whipping it back to Rhys Patchell. It wasn't the cleanest of kicks but the 10 nonetheless made it count. Wales pull further ahead.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:00

TRY! Australia score!

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:01

47 min: Australia 15-26 Wales (Haylett-Petty, Toomua conversion)

The Wallabies respond immediately with a stunning passage of play, rounded off by the simplest of finishes from Dane Haylett-Petty.

Australia initial broke down the left, the ball exchanging hands between Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete as they wove their way through a scattered Welsh defence. After recycling play just a few metres back from the white line, and with Wales' men still trying to recover, the ball was sent right where Australia had the numerical advantage before Haylett-Petty dotted down.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:01

50 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

Wales in danger here as we go to TMO for a Josh Adams challenge on Isi Naisarani. It looked very high... have we got a card on our hands?

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:07

51 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

No we don't. It's just a penalty. Romain Poite has a word with both captains as he asks for lower tackles from the two teams. Matt Toomua, who has replaced Bernard Foley, finds touch on the Welsh 22.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:08

51 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

The throw misses the target but Australia retain play. They keep their foot on the pressure, hitting Wales with wave after wave deep inside the 22.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:10

53 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

Another knock-on from the Wallabies. Samu Kerevi is to blame. Wales did well to hang, but there's going to be some tired lungs out there. After the ball is spilled, the Welsh pounce before booting clear at the first available opportunity. Mesmerising stuff.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:12

55 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

Michael Hooper picks up from the back of the ruck and immediately charges head first into Justin Tipuric. The Welsh man is straight over after the tackle but it seems the ball was dropped upon the point of contact. Superb defence. Wales scrum.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:13

55 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

Wales hold firm in the scrum and Gareth Davies leads the charge down the left. He's wrapped up by Michael Hooper though, who bundles him into touch with a storming tackle. The captain makes amends for his earlier transgression with that challenge.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:15

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in