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<\/p>\nAustralia 25 – Wales 29<\/p>\n
Wales and Australia went head-to-head this morning that was billed as Pool D\u2019s decider for its group winner.<\/p>\n
Wales, at one point 1st in the world, came into the game as favourites and were tipped by many to edge past Australia.<\/p>\n
The big news before the game was Wales lock, Alun Wyn Jones, with his selection today, surpassed Gethin Jenkins\u2019 record to become Wales most capped international player.<\/p>\n
Wales got the party started almost straight away with a lovely drop goal from Dan Biggar.<\/p>\n
Biggar then missed a penalty two minutes later, slotting it off to the left.<\/p>\n
Adam Ashley-Cooper was the man who gave it away \u2013 he was off his feet in the ruck.<\/p>\n
Multiple knock-ons and turnovers occurred in the next few minutes, frustrating both sides.<\/p>\n
Wales were the ones who managed to keep it together to capitalise with Hadleigh Parkes touching down for the Welsh after a clean crossfield kick from Biggar.<\/p>\n
Biggar slotted the conversion over with ease from a tight angle.<\/p>\n
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Biggar looked to further Wales\u2019 lead beyond 10 with another drop goal but failed to muster the same magic.<\/p>\n
A pinched Wales lineout was defended well by the red men with the maul going nowhere and a turnover being forced.<\/p>\n
Australia won a scrum shortly after, which led to a Bernard Foley crossfield kick to Adam Ashley-Cooper, who dodged a tackle and got over the line.<\/p>\n
Foley put the kick too far left.<\/p>\n
Australia looked to get level with Wales and pressured them heavily for a number of minutes.<\/p>\n
Kerevi got through the Wales line with the use of fancy footwork before George North saved the day with a try-saving tackle.<\/p>\n
It came back to an earlier penalty, coincidentally given away by North, and Foley put his chance between the posts.<\/p>\n
Biggar came off for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) after his tackle, replaced by Rhys Patchell.<\/p>\n
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Patchell got on the scoreboard as soon as he got on with a nice penalty, courtesy of Hooper for coming in over the top.<\/p>\n
A lengthy TMO check saw Kerevi somehow get away with handing Patchell off at his throat.<\/p>\n
Patchell was happy to take three more points.<\/p>\n
Right after the penalty, Gareth Davies broke through after a fantastic interception and went all the way to put this game to bed before the first half ended.<\/p>\n
Patchell put the kick over to further lead with Wales up 23-8 at the break.<\/p>\n
Patchell\u2019s drop goal was the first blow struck in the second half.<\/p>\n
Australia replied instantly with a fantastic play ending in a Hayland-Petty try after a lovely offload by Pocock.<\/p>\n
Matt Toomua placed his first kick over with ease.<\/p>\n
Gareth Davies nearly punished the Wallabies again but couldn\u2019t hold on to his interception.<\/p>\n
Australia kept their pressure up, but Wales held a strong and sturdy line, forcing them back under pressure.<\/p>\n
Wales began to leak penalties under pressure, but Australia weren\u2019t capitalising.<\/p>\n
Michael Hooper made sure that didn\u2019t last as he got over the line.<\/p>\n
Toomua tapped it over, and the game was back to four points.<\/p>\n
Wales started to get nervous and conceded a penalty they shouldn\u2019t have \u2013 wheeling the scrum.<\/p>\n
Toomua added three more to bring the game within one.<\/p>\n
Wales sensed a defeat on the cards and started to compete again.<\/p>\n
A crossfield kick by Patchell nearly put North in for a try, Kurtley Beale blocking him off.<\/p>\n
Patchell continued his fine form to put the gap back to four with eight minutes left.<\/p>\n
Wales conceded another penalty in the scrum with four minutes left but couldn\u2019t kick it out for a lineout, a fantastic effort by Tomos Williams.<\/p>\n
Wales held on to win 29-25.<\/p>\n
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They\u2019ll be impressed with the result but disappointed with their second-half attacking performance.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll most likely finish top of the group after this and could reach the semis if they avoid England.<\/p>\n
Australia will be hugely disappointed.<\/p>\n
After dominating the second half, they only have a losing bonus point to show for it.<\/p>\n
A date with England may await them, possibly a quarter-final exit if that happens.<\/p>\n
Yet another fantastic game of rugby for this fantastic World Cup.<\/p>\n
The Japanese must be loving this.<\/p>\n
This Rugby World Cup is the best in years so far \u2013 what a way to promote your sport.<\/p>\n