A defiant defensive second half performance secured Australia’s win over Wales at Twickenham. Despite being down to 13 men for eight minutes Australia held firm under immense pressure from the Welsh attack.
Defiant Australia Defeat Wales to Top Pool
Wales started the better of the two sides exacting pressure in the early minutes; however they only came away with three points from a Dan Biggar penalty. As the half progressed Australia started to come into the game with Wales forced to absorb pressure managing to force turnovers and repel the Australian attacks. As the Australian pressure mounted Wales gave Bernard Foley the chance to level the score, which Foley obliged slotting his penalty. Australia were then awarded a penalty with in kicking range but chose instead to go for the corner, but the pressure resulted in another penalty as Liam Williams was penalised for going off his feet at the break down. This time Foley took the three points on offer and gave Australia the lead for the first time in the match.
The Australians lead did not last long as a penalty on half way for obstruction was moved forward 10 meters for back chat to the referee. Dan Biggar went for the posts and restored parity on the scoreboard. Taulupe Faletau was then penalised for offside at the ruck and Foley restored Australia’s lead. A tense first half ended with a missed penalty from each side. First Dan Biggar missed a penalty for Wales before Matt Giteau’s long range effort came up short to end the half.
The second half started in the same vein as the first, with both sides looking to gain a foothold in the match. With both sides surviving initial opposition forays into their 22, Australia were given a chance to extend their lead as the assistant referee picked up Faletau with a neck roll on Scott Fardy, and Foley put the Australians 12-6 ahead. Wales were then given the advantage as Will Genia was sent to the sin bin for cynically stopping a quick penalty from Gareth Davies. Wales went for the corner and thought they had scored when Faletau looked to have got the ball over the line; however the television match official revealed that he spilled the ball forward when attempting to ground it and the play was brought back for another penalty for Wales, this time for offside. Australia were then reduced to 13 men as Dean Mumm was sent to the sin bin, just two minutes after Genia, as Australia were penalised for repeated infringement. What followed was eight minutes of extreme pressure from Wales as the camped inside the Australian 22 searching for a way through but the Wallabies held firm utilising their blitz defence and holding Wales up over the line twice. Just after they were back up to 14 men Australia relieved pressure with a crucial turn over after Adam Ashley-Cooper tackled Dan Biggar, and broke up the field and won a penalty to increase their lead just as they were restored to a full complement of players.
Wales searched for a way back into the match in the final ten minutes but to no avail, and were themselves reduced to 14 men as Alex Cuthbert was sin binned for a deliberate knock on. Foley missed the resultant penalty but Australia saw out the remaining minutes to clinch the win and the pool.
Wales will be disappointed not to have turned their numerical advantage into points, and take control of this match when they had the opportunity. The must now focus their attentions on South Africa when they return to Twickenham next Saturday. Australia will be going into Sunday’s quarter final against Scotland full of confidence after their defensive display secured top spot in the so called group of death.
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