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:
Australia 13-10 Wales, 43 minutes
Wales have a penalty from the five, the front rows go down, and they will go again.
Hathaway tries to run it, but is forced over the sidelines.
Australia 13-10 Wales, 41 minutes
Wales got off to a blistering start, Thomas found Williams, and Wright had to touch down behind the line to prevent them scoring their second scrum!
Australia 13-10 Wales, 41 minutes
Australia make two attacking changes at the break, what can that change?
Half time: Australia 13-10 Wales
Here are some photos from the first half:
Half time: Australia 13-10 Wales
Australia were 10 metres out but it was juggled, and Wales have the ball back. It was good defence, they have put the Wallabies’ carry under pressure.
That will be half time!
Just one penalty separating the sides, it has been a good and entertaining half with neither side managing to really take charge of the game.
Australia 13-10 Wales, 36 minutes
Bevan has dropped it! That was a straightforward catch. There was no player next to him, and they had been chasing catches well until that point.
Australia have the upper hand just before half time break, what can they make of it?
Australia 13-10 Wales, 34 minutes
Wales have a penalty after Hathaway was taken out in the air.
The game has just broken up a little bit, and Wales have not been very impressive in the scrum so far.
Try-scorer Tupou was limping after the scrum, and the Wallabies will be keen to keep him on the field after his injury in the World Cup hurt their chances.
Australia 13-10 Wales, 34 minutes
Wales are back to full strength.
But it’s an Australia scrum, and they have the penalty.
Australia 13-10 Wales, 30 minutes
Liam Williams produces a better kick and gets a 50-22 at a tight angle.
Hathaway got involved but it was knocked forwards and the ball goes back to Australia, after it was spilled by Lake.
Australia 13-10 Wales, 30 minutes
Both sides now have 14, but Wales will be back to full strength sooner.
The game has just started to get a little scrappy as Australia boot the ball clear.
A lot of the play is being played in the central third, and both sides have resorted to kicks.
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