The Wallabies have continued their dream start to 2024 with a 36-28 win over Wales at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Joe Schmidt's side started on fire as tries to Filipo Daugunu and Jake Gordon gave them a 17-0 lead.
Wales' rolling maul kept them in the game and a double to Dewi Lake got them right back into the contest.
Both sides traded tries as Daugunu's second was answered by a great solo effort from Rio Dyer.
With the game in the balance, the Wallabies hung tough and secured the win with a late penalty in front of 21,932.
“We closed out a really tight game,” Schmidt said.
“Some of the tries were spectacular and were on the back of some really good but also fortuitous skill as well. I think the way Filipo Daugunu chased the ball and got into support positions was a difference make for us.
“We built our way into the game in parts, I feel like those lineout steals were really important towards the end of the game.
“It’s nice to have clear things to work on but we know Georgia are going to be formidable, they beat Japan today and then we have South Africa coming here with a family physical approach to the game.”
The Wallabies got off to a flying start after a bold passing move provided space for Andrew Kellaway to strike.
The winger chipped for himself on his line and re-gathered, batting the ball back for Fraser McReight. The flanker raced away and was about to get reeled in by Rio Dyer, only to find Filipo Daugunu for the opening try.
Noah Lolesio added three more as the rain belted down at AAMI Park.
It brought Wales back into the contest as they pressed the Australian line but it was Jake Gordon and the Wallabies that capitalised on the greasy conditions.
Gordon launched a booming box kick that caused the Welsh back three major issues, allowing the scrum half to kick ahead, re-gather and score.
Wales went back to their rolling maul and it proved highly successful, allowing Dewi Lake to score their opening points.
Their comeback continued when Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was yellow carded for a high shot on prop Archie Griffin.
Lake crossed for his second at the back of another powerful maul from the resulting penalty to reduce the margin.
The Wallabies managed to counter each Wales try with a Noah Lolesio penalty to take a 23-14 lead into the break.
But Wales refused to go away and reduced the margin to two when fullback Liam Williams sliced through the gap for a comfortable try.
This was instantly answered by Allan Alaalatoa, with the powerful prop crossing for his first international try to give Australia a seven point lead.
However, Wales were always going to press Australia until the end and Rio Dyer’s solo effort set up a thrilling finisher.
The Australian bench stepped up to the occasion and landed some big shots in defence to rattle the Welsh.
It presented the chance for Ben Donaldson to kick the game sealing penalty as Australia sweeps Wales.
Australia 36 [Tries: Daugunu 2, Gordon, Alaalatoa; Cons: Lolesio 2; Pens: Lolesio 3, Donaldson) Wales 28 [Tries: Lake 2, Williams, Dyer; Cons: Thomas 3, Costelow]
Wallabies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 James Slipper (c)
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Nic White, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Dylan Pietsch
Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Liam Williams, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Mason Grady, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Ben Thomas, 9 Ellis Bevan, 8 Taine Plumtree, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 James Botham, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Christ Tshiunza, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Evan Lloyd, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Cory Hill, 20 Mackenzie Martin, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Nick Tompkins
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
(Courtesy of www.rugby.com.au/news)
