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WALES 21 AUSTRALIA 18
The final match in the Invesco Perpetual Series 08 produced one of the games of the year, and it was the home side that crossed the finish line with their noses in front.
Over 74,000 packed inside the Cardiff Stadium with the hope that Wales could record the first victory for a northern hemisphere side over their southern rivals in the November internationals.
And within minutes, it looked like that dream could become a reality. IRB World Player of the Year Shane Williams scored his 44th try in a Wales jersey as the home side began at a frantic pace.
Coach Waren Gatland had demanded his side maintain a high tempo for 80 minutes and this lead to one of the most gripping games imaginable.
Full back Lee Bryne shone with a try in the first half, and did his Lions claims no harm with his display. No. 8 Andy Powell furthered his claim to be firsty choice No. 8 and Mark Jones’ defensive display showed he is more than just raw speed on the wing.
“The sky’s the limit now,” said skipper Jones. “We’ve been knocking on the door for a while now, and we’re so pleased to have finished this series with a win over Australia.”
When Stephen Jones slotted a 78th minute penalty to give Wales an eight-point lead, it looked as it victory had been secured, but an incredible response from the never-say-die Australians saw Digby Ioane cross with just seconds left.
Alan Lewis deemed their was time for a restart, and then there were a nervy few minutes with the visitors in possession, seeking any hold in the Welsh defence.
That hole did not appear, and when Martyn Williams won turnover ball in typical fashion, the match was over and Wales claimed an epic victory.
Wales 21 Australia 18
HT: 15-10 Attendance: 74,314
Wales: L Byrne, M Jones, T Shanklin, J Roberts (A Bishop 17), S Williams, S Jones, G Cooper, G Jenkins, M Rees, A Jones, I Gough, A Jones, R Jones [capt], M Williams, A Powell (D Jones 60)
Replacements used: A Bishop, D Jones
Scorers: Try – S Williams, L Byrne; Conversion – S Jones; Penalty – S Jones (2) ; Drop Goal – S Jones
Discipline:
Australia: D Mitchell, P Hynes (L Tuqiri 34), R Cross, S Mortlock [capt] (Q Cooper 3), D Ioane, M Giteau, L Burgess, B Robinson, S Moore (A Freier 68), A Baxter, M Chisholm, N Sharpe, H McMeniman (D Munn 69), P Waugh (G Smith 62), R Brown
Replacements used: Q Cooper, G Smith, P Waugh, L Tuqiri, A Freier, D Munn
Scorers: Try – M Chisholm, D Ioane; Conversion – M Giteau; Penalty – M Giteau; Drop Goal – M Giteau
Discipline: Yellow Card – S Moore (68)
Man of the Match: L Byrne (Wales)
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
