Australia 20 Wales 19:WALES CRASHED to yet another agonising defeat Down Under as Australia fought back to snatch a third slender victory and seal a series whitewash.
After falling to narrow losses in the opening two Tests Wales only had pride to play for in Sydney, but they looked on course to seal a first win over the Wallabies in their own backyard since 1969 when Leigh Halfpenny struck a late penalty, following tries from Ryan Jones and Australia’s Rob Horne. But Berrick Barnes stepped up to break Welsh hearts again with a 75th minute match-winning penalty.
Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley remained proud of his side for running Australia so close despite three successive defeats.There were a mere 11 points separating the two teams over the three games.
“Our attitude and effort got us so close to beating the Wallabies and we have left a mark here that we are quite proud of,” said Howley.
AUSTRALIA: Beale; Ashley-Cooper, Horne, McCabe, Ioane; Barnes, Genia; Robinson, Polota-Nau, Kepu, Timani, Sharpe, Higginbotham, Pocock, Palu. Replacements: A Faingaa for McCabe (34), Moore for Polota-Nau (56), Alexander for Kepu (56), Simmons for Timani (72), Dennis for Higginbotham (56).
WALES: Halfpenny; Cuthbert, J Davies, Beck, North; Priestland, Phillips; Jenkins, Rees, A Jones, B Davies, A-W Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, R Jones. Replacements: S Williams for Beck (65), Hook for Priestland (69), James for Jenkins (40), Owens for Rees (65), Charteris for A Jones (65), Tipuric for Warburton (28).
Referee: C Joubert (South Africa).
