Australia 25-16 Wales: Warren Gatland's side suffer an EIGHTH straight defeat as Joe Schmidt gets his Wallabies tenure off to the perfect start in Sydney

This was Wales’ eighth straight defeat as Australia edged a battle of two poor sides in Sydney.

Both these teams have fallen on hard times, not only in terms of their on-field performances but also with financial and sporting governance problems. Warren Gatland’s men went winless in this year’s Six Nations, but at one point it looked like they would end that barren run in the southern hemisphere. 

Had Wales not had a second-half try for James Botham ruled out, a first victory in Australia since 1969 may well have occurred. But, in the end, Tom Wright’s brilliant effort sealed a Wallaby success in their first game under new head coach Joe Schmidt.

Wales’ first-half endeavour couldn’t be questioned and they went to the break in touch, 13-10 behind. Ben Thomas, on only his third cap and first start, opened the scoring with a sweetly-struck penalty. Thomas normally plays centre for his club Cardiff, but was at fly-half here for his country.

His kick came after James Slipper was penalised for a no-arms tackle on Wales captain Dewi Lake. After that, Wales’ display was characterised by poor discipline, scrum struggles, a wobbly line-out and a number of basic errors. 

Noah Lolesio kicked two Australian penalties and missed a sitter too.

Wales’ penalty count was rising fast and they looked in real trouble when Taniela Tupou scored from close range just minutes after destroying the opposition scrum. 

Wales prop Gareth Thomas was sent to the sin bin to make matters worse. But, Gatland’s side did respond impressively.

Their driving maul was a source of joy. And even without Thomas, the red pack rumbled forward to earn a penalty try. Australian flanker Fraser McReight paid the price with a yellow card.

An automatic seven points for Wales was much needed, especially with Lake struggling at the line-out and the scrum in reverse. Tupuo – known as the ‘Tongan Thor’ – was dominant.

Wales would have been happy to turnaround just three points behind. Their lack of power and baulk, which results in contact area struggles and an inability to cross the gainline, remains a big issue. Australia certainly dropped their guard after a strong start. Wales’ ongoing leaving out of soon-to-be Leicester prop Nicky Smith remains a mystery given he is a strong scrummager.

The experience of Liam Williams at full-back was a plus for Wales. He produced one fine 50:22 kick. When the giant Tupou failed to appear for the start of the second half, Wales’ chances certainly improved. And Gatland’s side levelled the scores in the 46th minute thanks to a Ben Thomas kick.

The penalty came after Wales finally got some go forward ball thanks to the barnstorming Aaron Wainwright on his 50th cap. Wainwright did leave the field in the final few minutes. A vital jackal from Christ Tshiunza then helped Wales stop dangerous Australian pressure in its tracks. Clean line breaks had been close to non-existent.

That was until Wallaby wing Filipo Daugunu got outside Mason Grady and steamed into a gap. Daugunu looked like he’d made a mess of the opportunity after ignoring Andrew Kellaway outside him and when Grady got back to tackle. But his momentum took him over the line on a wet surface.

Once again, Wales responded. Well, it looked like it anyway.

Once again, Wales’ line-out drive was to the fore. The forward maul has been a rare ray of light for Wales in a desperate 2024 and it looked like it worked again when replacement Botham went over the line just minutes after coming on. But referee Pierre Brousset checked the score with his TMO Marius Jonker and it was ruled out for obstruction by a combination of Tshiunza and Tommy Reffell. It seemed a slightly harsh call and certainly seemed to frustrate Wales head coach Gatland.

Scrum-half Ellis Bevan had dropped a sitter in the first half. But on only his second cap, he responded to the disallowed try with a fine 50:22 kick. Ben Thomas’ 66-minute penalty, which went over via the upright, made it a two-point game. 

Given how well Wales’ driving maul had gone to that point, you wondered if kicking to the corner for the line-out would have been the better call. 

Nonetheless, it looked like the three points would set up a grandstand finish.

But Wright then put the game to bed with a moment of brilliance. Wright ran back a Wales kick with interest, leaving Nick Tompkins floundering in defence. Wright’s moment of class deserved to win any match. Tom Lynagh – one of seven debutants in the Australia side and the son of Wallaby great Michael – converted and Wales were never going to come back from there.