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22

2019 Wales Resist Second Half Onslaught

2nd,

October To Defeat Wallabies

| ales put one foot Australia were rocked by Wales performance. And he
in the World Cup the ferocity of Wales’ start, underlined it following
EXAMINER announced themselves as bling the lead but drifted a sure by landing a drop-goal
another spell of Wales pres-
and Biggar went close to dou-
Wquarter-finals and
major title contenders after
touchline penalty attempt
that meant Wales had an 18-
wide.
point lead.
beating Australia 29-25 at
But Australia then hit back
Wales were outstanding
IRISH Tokyo Stadium. with ball in hand, looking to following a flowing long-
The Six Nations champi-
range move which ended
involve wings George North
ons took charge of Pool D
with a second successive win and Josh Adams at regular with Haylett-Petty crossing
that could lead to a last-eight opportunities. for a try that Toomua con-
clash against France or Australia’s defense came verted. The touchdown gave
Argentina. under considerable pressure, Australia a new lease of life,
Australia, though, might and Wales increased their sensing that one more try
be hurtling towards a knock- lead through a 13th-minute would put them well and
out tie with England, who are try. truly back in the contest.
coached by former Wallabies Biggar was the architect, Wales knew it, too, but
boss Eddie Jones, despite stag- kicking to the wing, and cen- Wallabies pressure was
ing a spectacular second-half ter Parkes climbed above mounting, and three close-
fightback. Wallabies wing Marika range driven line-outs saw
Wales looked home and Koroibete, before spinning Australia continue to turn the
dry when they led 26-8 and touching down. screw.
through tries by center Biggar’s successful touch- And Wales could not hold
Hadleigh Parkes and scrum- line conversion made it 10-0, out, with Hooper claiming a trailed 26-22 with 18 minutes held out and claimed
half Gareth Davies. and Hooper was then warned touchdown following relent- left. arguably the finest victory of
Fly-halves Dan Biggar and by referee Romain Poite for a less pressure, and Toomua’s Toomua and Patchell then head coach Warren Gatland’s
Rhys Patchell kicked 19 challenge on the Wales num- conversion meant Australia exchanged kicks, but Wales long reign. C
points between them – ber 10.
Patchell contributed 14 after Australia opened their
replacing Biggar, who went account with a 21st-minute
off for a head injury assess- try by Ashley-Cooper after
ment – but Australia got it Foley’s kick found space, cut-
back to one point at 26-25. ting their deficit by five
Wing Adam Ashley- points.
Cooper, full-back Dane Center Samu Kerevi began
Haylett-Petty and captain to cause problems for the
Michael Hooper claimed Welsh defense with his pow-
touchdowns, with Bernard erful running, and Wales then
Foley kicking a penalty and lost Biggar for a head injury
Matt Toomua booting seven assessment, with Patchell
points. replacing him.
But Wales held out, helped Foley booted a penalty
out by Patchell’s 72-minute shortly afterwards, and
strike, to beat Australia for Wales’ lead had been reduced
only a second time in the last to 10-8 after 30 minutes.
15 Tests following a scintillat- Wales needed to regroup,
ing contest. and a Patchell penalty seven
Alun Wyn Jones became minutes before half-time
Wales’ most-capped player as restored the Six Nations
he led his country out, mak- champions’ five-point advan-
ing his 130th appearance to tage, then he kicked another
break the record he previous- three-pointer from almost 50
ly shared with prop Gethin meters.
Jenkins. And it then got even better
Australia were without for Wales when scrum-half
suspended wing Reece Hodge Davies intercepted a
– replaced by Ashley-Cooper Wallabies pass on halfway
– while half-backs Foley and and sprinted clear to score
Will Genia were also called their second try. Patchell’s
up by head coach Michael conversion put Wales 15
Cheika. points in front, ending an
Wales made a dream start opening 40 minutes they had
and were ahead after just 36 dominated.
seconds when the Welsh pack Biggar did not rejoin the
secured quality possession action, but Patchell had
inside Australia’s 22 and acquitted himself impressive-
Biggar dropped a goal. ly at the hub of a controlling