Australia v Wales LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Wallabies end losing run with victory in Sydney
Warren Gatland’s struggling Wales side fell to the Wallabies in Sydney despite showing signs of progress
Wales suffered defeat to Australia in Sydney this morning in the first of two summer international Tests against the Wallabies.
Warren Gatland’s side had gone into the game on the back of seven straight defeats, having lost all of their matches at the Six Nations earlier this year and then falling to a 41-13 defeat at the hands of South Africa in June, and were unable to buck the trend against Australia.
In the first half their issues were rooted in the set pieces, and they struggled to make inroads in the scrum, but in the second it started to look a bit more frantic and they couldn’t find a way through the Australia line.
For the Wallabies, new head coach Joe Schmidt led them to victory having taken over after Eddie Jones led them to a humiliating elimination at the pool stage of the 2023 World Cup.
Both of these sides faced off in that tournament, with Wales running out 40-6 victors in September, though injuries and retirements mean that this time round, Gatland’s squad is weaker than he’d have liked heading into the tour.
Follow all the latest updates and reaction during the first test below, as well as all the reaction to New Zealand v England:
Wales’ losing run continues, but there were promising signs against Australia
Wales’ long run of defeats continued despite a battling performance in Sydney as they were beaten 25-16 by Australia.
It was their 12th successive loss to the Wallabies in Australia, and eighth on the bounce against all opponents.
Warren Gatland’s team have not won a Test match since they saw off 2023 World Cup pool opponents Georgia nine months ago, but they pushed new-look Australia close at the Allianz Stadium.
Wales’ losing run continues, but there were promising signs against Australia
It was their 12th successive loss to the Wallabies in Australia.
Full time: Australia 25-16 Wales
Dawi Lake: “Unfortunately resilience doesn’t win games, credit to the heart and the dig in the boys showed, but as a young team we’ve got to learn to win games, to put points on the board and see games out.
“We said we can’t leave opportunities out on the field.”
When asked about the next game, he said: “It’s about learning quickly and learning how to see these games out.”
Full time: Australia 25-16 Wales
The new Australia head coach has won his first Test match in charge.
It might not have been the smoothest game for them, and was ultimately decided by a stunning try from Wright, but a new captain and a number of debutants have led them to victory.
Wales had their bright moments, and will want to build on those going into the second Test, but Australia were arguably the deserved winners.
Australia 25-16 Wales, 80 minutes
Wales will have one last attack but it’s been kicked out.
They have just struggled to open up that Australia line.
Australia 25-16 Wales, 78 minutes
Australia take the ball from the line out, and the set pieces have let them down a little bit.
The Wallabies kick clear, Wales come to try and attack them again, but the hosts have another penalty.
Australia 25-16 Wales, 76 minutes
Wales have a penalty for player leaving feet, but they would need a try and more to level things here.
Can they produce something here?
Australia 25-16 Wales, 74 minutes
Wales go on the charge, and find a way into the 22.
They are gaining but slowly, and the ball is chipped over the top for Hathaway but just out of reach, although the Wales player is claiming his arm was pulled out of the way.
Australia 25-16 Wales, 72 minutes
What have Wales got to answer that? There are less than 10 minutes left, and Wales have not won in Sydney since 1969.
They are trying to break through, but the Wallabies have forced them back and into touch.
Try: Australia 25-16 Wales, 69 minutes
What a try!
Tom Wright has just weaved his way through in transition.
It was Lynagh and then Wright who took over to score a brilliant try. Wales were just too narrow, and Wright just had to beat Tomkins to then drive through to the lines.
It was too big an ask for the covering defender and that was a stunning try.
Lynagh converts, and Australia have a healthy lead.
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