Get Newsletter

Wallabies edge Wales in Twickers arm-wrestle

It may have been a tryless arm-wrestle, but it was a game jam-packed with drama and intrigue – a true World Cup classic!

ADVERTISEMENT

Bernard Foley kicked five penalties for the Wallabies and Dan Biggar replied with two for Wales.

Australia scored their eleventh straight victory over Wales despite being two men down at one stage and under a relentless red onslaught.

First place in Pool A gave the Wallabies a quarterfinal against Scotland.Wallabies edge Wales in Twickers arm-wrestle

Wales get a tougher clash facing South Africa.

The Wallabies crucially remain undefeated in a tournament where every World Cup winner has reached the Final without losing a game.

Australian captain Stephen Moore praised the Wallaby resistance.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We had to defend there with 13 for long periods and I'm real proud about how we stuck in for each other," he said.

Australia "just kept getting up off the ground and making tackles. It's nothing too complicated, we just kept working hard for each other," he added.

Wales captain Sam Warburton paid tribute to the fortress put along the Wallaby touchline.

"We threw absolutely everything at Australia and you have got to give them a heck of a lot of credit in defence – they were outstanding," he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

"We backed ourselves to go for the try but we couldn't get it," he added.

"I am so proud of the guys, we threw everything at them. I could not ask any more of our players."

Australia, leading 12-6, were reduced to 13 men heading into the final quarter when Will Genia and Dean Mumm were sin-binned within minutes of each other.

But Wales could not take advantage of their two extra men to add to their score.

Australia made three changes to the side that knocked England out of the World Cup with an impressive 33-3 win.

Wales boss Warren Gatland changed six of his starting XV.

Wales came close to an early try when they turned over ball at an Australia scrum but North was held up.

Wales dominated the opening quarter but all they had to show for it was Biggar's fourth-minute penalty.

Meanwhile Sean McMahon, in for suspended Michael Hooper, proved his worth with a thumping tackle on the Wales No.10.

Australia prop Scott Sio forced a penalty wide on the right and Foley, the 28-point hero of the win over England, made no mistake to level the match.

Foley and Biggar then exchanged penalties, with Wales competing fiercely at the breakdown, before the Australian nudged his side in front.

Biggar missed his first goal-kick in 16 attempts this World Cup before veteran centre Matt Giteau's long-range effort on the stroke of half-time fell short to leave the Wallabies 9-6 in front.

Both sides pressed hard in the second half, with Australia's David Pocock winning an important turnover after a charging run by opposing No 8 Taulupe Faletau.

Faletau carelessly gave away a penalty in front of his own posts when neck-rolling Scott Fardy out of a ruck. Foley duly made it 12-6 in the 50th minute.

Wales centre Jamie Roberts tried to make ground on the crash ball, but another immense effort by the Welsh pack ended in a turnover.  

Wales came again and it needed a fine tackle by Foley on North to snuff out a try.

Australia found themselves a man down in the 57th minute when scrum-half Genia was sin-binned for obstructing Wales' quick tap penalty.

Wales laid siege to the Wallaby line from a couple of scrums and drives.

Faletau went over the try-line but referee Craig Joubert called for replay assistance and it was ruled the back-row had knocked on.

Australia were down to 13 men when lock Dean Mumm was yellow-carded for taking a man out at the line-out.

North should have scored a try when put through in space but was hauled down by replacement Ben McCalman in sight of the line.

Further great Australian defence, allied to Wales' obsession with the inside pass, prevented a try.

Then, almost inevitably, a Wallaby break-out led to another simple penalty chance for Foley, who put the game beyond Wales reach with eight minutes left.

Wales wing Alex Cuthbert was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on only for Foley, surprisingly, to miss the ensuing penalty chance.

Warburton admitted that defeat had made Wales World Cup more difficult.

"It is tougher," he said. "But there is no easy way to the World Cup final."

Man of the match:  You can name a host of players on either side – including Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Bernard Foley, David Pocock, Sean McMahon, Scott Fardy, Jamie Roberts, Gareth Davies, Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris. However, it was defence that won the day and for that we give it to the entire Wallaby  team, based on their defensive bravery.

Moment of the match: In a game of inches it has to be the 10-minute period midway through the second half, when Wales attacked relentlessly and the Wallaby defence held out – for six minutes being down two men and a large period just metres from their own line.

Villain of the match: In such a magnificent match there were only heroes. The yellow cards were of a professional foul nature, nothing nasty.

The scorers:Wallabies edge Wales in Twickers arm-wrestle

For Australia:

Pens: Foley 5

For Wales:

Pens: Biggar 2

Yellow cards: Will Genia (Australia, 56 – professional foul, cynical play by not retreating 10 metres), Dean Mumm (Australia, 60 – foul play, playing a man in the air), Alex Cuthbert (Wales, 76 – professional foul, slapping the ball down)

Teams:

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Sean McMahon, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Wales: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 George North, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Sam Warburton (captain), 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 James Hook.

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Stuart Berry (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

@rugby365com & AFP

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment