Wales vs Australia LIVE: Rugby result, final score and Autumn Nations Series 2021 reaction
The hosts prevailed on a dramatic night at the Principality Stadium thanks to Rhys Priestland’s late penalty
Wales‘ Rhys Priestland kicked a penalty after the hooter as the hosts poured more misery on Australia with a 29-28 victory at the Principality Stadium on Saturday following an early red card for visiting number eight Rob Valetini.
Valetini became the fifth player to see red against Wales in the last 12 months but could have few complaints after his dangerous tackle on lock Adam Beard after 14 minutes resulted in a clash of heads.
Hooker Ryan Elias and centre Nick Tompkins scored tries for the home side, who failed to drive home their numerical advantage and were seconds away from losing before they were awarded an offside penalty in the last play of the game.
Australia, who have lost all three matches on their tour after defeats by Scotland and England, scored tries through wings Andrew Kellaway and Filipo Daugunu, plus scrumhalf Nic White but, having highlighted the need to improve their discipline in the week, let themselves down again.
Wales 13-13 Australia
32 mins: Big turnover from Australia in the scrum. Wales had the Wallabies in the corner following the restart and the visitors were smart to slow things down at the set-piece. Australia then win the penalty from the scrum, as tempers flare between the two packs, and White clears.
Wales 13-13 Australia (O’Connor pen 28’)
Australia, still playing with 13, look to keep the ball and build the phases and eventually win the penalty in the Wales half.
O’Connor levels the scores from in front of the posts.
TRY! Wales 13-10 Australia (ELIAS 23’)
Wales take the lead, and it’s a fine move from the lineout immediately after Beale’s yellow card! Tomos Williams spins away from the ruck and times his pass to his outside to perfection. Ryan Elias, who scored two tries against Fiji last weekend, is there to cross over in the corner.
Biggar then nails a brilliant conversion from the touchline.
YELLOW CARD! Wales 6-10 Australia (Beale)
23 mins: Wales swiftly move the ball across the field after retaining the ball from the lineout - and they suddenly have the man over on the right wing in Rees-Zammit.
Nick Tompkins’ pass is cut out by Kurtley Beale - but this appears to be a slap-down, a deliberate knock-on.
After a lengthy discussion with the TMO, Adamson shows Beale a yellow card and Australia are down to 13!
Wales 6-10 Australia
21 mins: Brilliant defending from White denies Rees-Zammit a certain try as he sweeps up in the corner following a smart kick from Biggar.
White’s momentum carries him out and Wales still have the ball in excellent field position.
Wales 6-10 Australia (O’Connor pen 19’)
Brilliant response from Australia - Slipper makes a strong carry and then Tupou takes up the charge as finds a nice line through the Wales defence.
Australia had the penalty advantage but it comes back. The Wallabies take the kick at goal and O’Connor converts.
Wales 6-7 Australia (Biggar pen 15’)
Biggar pulls Wales back to within one point as he chips over from in front of the posts.
RED CARD! Wales 3-7 Australia (Rob Valetini)
Australia are down to 14 after Rob Valetini is shown a red card for a dangerous high tackle.
“He’s come at distance, he’s come at speed, I’m seeing a high-degree of danger. There’s no mitigation,” says referee Mike Adamson.
Wales 3-7 Australia
15 mins: Rob Valetini could be in big, big trouble here. Adam Beard is floored after a taking a nasty head-to-head collision.
This could be red.
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