Wayne Pivac Won’t Get ‘Sidetracked’ Over Wales Future As Australia Fixture Looms
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Wales take on Australia this afternoon looking to salvage some pride from their autumn international campaign after a shock loss to Georgia last week, although their opponents have also been struggling.
The autumn internationals have left Wayne Pivac and his Wallabies counterpart Dave Rennie under severe pressure with less than a year to go until the World Cup in France.
Pivac was sitting pretty after guiding his side to Six Nations glory in 2021, but a horrid streak of eight losses from 11 Tests this year leaves him in a tough spot.
Rennie is hoping to avoid a 10th loss from just 14 games in 2022, but dig a little deeper and Australia haven’t disgraced themselves this autumn, with victory over Scotland, single-point losses to France and Italy and then running the No 1 side in the world Ireland very close last weekend.
Follow all the action from Cardiff with our live blog below:
Wales vs Australia latest updates
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PENALTY! WALES 20-6 Australia (Gareth Anscombe, 28 minutes)
Over it goes after another clean dispatch from Gareth Anscombe’s instep.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:44
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Wales 17-6 Australia, 26 minutes
Jac Morgan has had a very, very bright start. He beats two or three would-be tacklers on a pinball angled charge, arms and legs working like pistons in the engine – up and down, up and down – as he canters forth.
Fraser McReight dives at the feet of Alun Wyn Jones – there are no arms in the flanker’s tackle and Wales will have the chance to add to their lead.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:43
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Wales 17-6 Australia, 25 minutes
A penalty each way: Matt Carley whistles first against Wales, allowing Jake Gordon to tap quickly, and then against Australia as Gordon’s hasty hurry away leaves him isolated.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:42
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TRY! WALES 17-6 Australia (Taulupe Faletau try, 23 minutes)
Another gem created by the Welsh forwards, with Alun Wyn Jones producing another deft moment of dexterity out the back door to connect with a teammate. Justin Tipuric makes a hard charge to suck the Australians in, and then it is a simple draw and pass job, with Taulupe Faletau the end man on the line.
Faletau forces over in the corner, with TMO Joy Neville requiring only the briefest of looks to confirm he’d kept the chalk off his boots and grounded cleanly. Gareth Anscombe converts from the touchline, too.
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:38
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Wales 10-6 Australia, 22 minutes
The Wales scrum goes to work again, earning another penalty advantage.
Through the hands they go, creating room on the right. Has Taulupe Faletau squeezed over in the corner?
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:38
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Wales 10-6 Australia, 21 minutes
That makes it even better – Folau Fainga’a throw to the tail drifts away from his hoisted teammate and into Welsh hands. Wales can’t capitalise, but Matthew Carley brings them back for a scrum for the not straight lineout.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:36
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Wales 10-6 Australia, 20 minutes
That’s a much better restart drill from the Welsh. Kieran Hardy collects inside his own 22 and drives a powerful punt up to the other side of halfway.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:35
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PENALTY! WALES 10-6 Australia (Gareth Anscombe penalty, 19 minutes)
Beautifully struck by Anscombe from 35 metres or so, just inside the 15-metre line. Simple enough, but crisply done.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:34
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Wales 7-6 Australia, 18 minutes
There is definitely an improved continuity about the Welsh attack so far. They work up towards 15 phases with good energy, Jac Morgan again showing well in the carry to earn a penalty.
Gareth Anscombe will line it up…
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:33
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PENALTY! Wales 7-6 AUSTRALIA (Ben Donaldson, 16 minutes)
Ben Donaldson’s boot is true again.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 November 2022 15:31