Australia hooker Matt Faessler and fullback Tom Wright both scored a hat-trick of tries as the Wallabies thrashed a tired-looking Wales 52-20 to condemn the home side to their worst run of results.
It was an unprecedented 11th successive defeat for Wales, who last won at the World Cup 13 months ago, and the result will add significant pressure onto veteran coach Warren Gatland, whose tenure had already been under scrutiny.
Australia, who had a poor run of results themselves this year, continued their upturn in fortunes as they won a second successive test after last weekend’s 42-37 victory over England, with lock Nick Frost and centre Len Ikitau also scoring tries and Noah Lolesio kicking six conversions.
Wales’ points came from tries from Aaron Wainwright and Ben Thomas and eight from the boot of flyhalf Gareth Anscombe and a Sam Costelow conversion.
Follow all of the latest from the Principality Stadium in our live blog below:
Wales vs Australia LIVE
- FULL TIME! Wales thrashed by Australia to fall to 11th consecutive defeat
- Visiting Wallabies rampant despite second-half red card
- 79’ TRY! Tom Wright competes hat-trick as Australia hit 50 (WAL 20-52 WAL)
- 75’ TRY! Len Ikitau skips to increase Australia’s lead (WAL 20-47 AUS)
- 68’ TRY! Ben Thomas pulls try back for Wales but defeat looms (WAL 20-40 AUS)
- 60’ TRY! Tom Wright intercepts at halfway to pile misery on Wales (WAL 13-40 AUS)
- 54’ TRY! Faessler completes hat-trick for 14-man Wallabies (WAL 13-33 AUS)
- 47’ TRY! Australia extend lead but Samu Kerevi sent off for tackle (WAL 13-26 AUS)
Wales fall to all-time low as pressure mounts on Warren Gatland
18:36 , Jamie BraidwoodWales suffered a record 11th successive Test match defeat as Australia demolished them 52-20 in Cardiff and ramped up the pressure on head coach Warren Gatland.
Wales fell to an all-time results low in their 143-year international rugby history, and Gatland has now presided over 17 losses from 23 Tests during his second stint at the helm.
Australia overcame a 20-minute red card for centre Samu Kerevi as hooker Matt Faessler and full-back Tom Wright each scored a hat-trick of tries, while lock Nick Frost and centre Len Ikitau also claimed touchdowns, with fly-half Noah Lolesio landing six conversions.
Wales briefly fought back from an alarming early 19-point deficit through an Aaron Wainwright try, plus two Gareth Anscombe penalties and a conversion, with centre Ben Thomas scoring a late try that Sam Costelow converted, but there was no escaping another comprehensive setback.
Wales fall to all-time low as pressure mounts on Warren Gatland
Warren Gatland ‘comfortable’ with ‘best decision for Welsh rugby’
21:00 , Jamie BraidwoodWales head coach Warren Gatland says he is comfortable with “whatever the best decision for Welsh rugby is” as speculation about his future intensified following a 52-20 defeat against Australia.
Gatland said he had spoken with Welsh Rugby Union executive director of rugby Nigel Walker and WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood in the changing room after the game.
While he did not give details of those conversations, Gatland said he did not know when asked at his post-match press conference if he thought he would be in charge for next Saturday’s clash against world champions South Africa.
Wales slumped to a record 11th successive Test match loss – the worst results sequence in their 143-year international rugby history – while Gatland has overseen just six wins from 23 Tests since returning for a second stint as head coach.
Warren Gatland ‘comfortable’ with ‘best decision for Welsh rugby’
Wales captain Dewi Lake after an 11th consecutive defeat: “We feel the same as everyone does at home.
“We’re disappointed with the run that we’re on, with the result today. We want to win games; we train hard, we work hard to win games, but we’re not there yet.
“I don’t think anything needs to change, we just need to click. In key moments in that game, half-time we were six points down, we went into the half with the momentum and came out thinking we’re in this game. One try and we would’ve been ahead, but the game got away.
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel here, we just need to take our points.”
Warren Gatland speaks on Wales future
18:44 , Jamie BraidwoodWarren Gatland says he will talk with his family and make a decision on his future, after admitting Wales’ run of defeats is his most challenging period in his coaching career.
He told TNT Sports: “It’s the most challenging time I’ve ever known as a coach and what will be, will be. I will chat to a few people as to what happens from here.
“I am passionate about Welsh rugby but there’s a lot of negativity around the game right now and we want to make sure what happens is the best for Welsh rugby, not about me. I will respect the decision.
“It hurts. We got ourselves back into the game. But to me, we’re a man up and conceded three tries - 21 points - that’s really disappointing.
“From our point of view, we had a chance to put them under pressure, we probably just forced things - some turnovers, some penalties, so that was disappointing.
“I felt we had the chance to get ourselves back into it and kind of just shot ourselves in the foot.”
FULL TIME! Wales 20-52 Australi
18:27 , Jamie BraidwoodThe conversation around Warren Gatland kicks off as Dan Biggar questions whether it’s time for a change at the top.
The former fly-half says on TNT Sports: “You do wonder when is enough enough? But would changing the head coach going to make this team better and suddenly go and win games?
“We are down to 11th in the world and have South Africa and France to face next, so the question on everyone’s lips is when does the run stop?
“A change in head coach wouldn’t harm things because they can’t be worse.”
FULL TIME! Wales 20-52 Australia
18:19 , Jamie BraidwoodPlayer of the match Tom Wright, speaking to TNT Sports. He’s very gracious, despite a 52-20 win.
“That was an awesome 80-minute performance,” he says. “Ebbs and flows, we gave a lot of momentum to Wales at stages, we made it difficult for ourselves, but those are games you like to be a part of.
“There was a lot of ball in play, Wales were really up for the content and really made us earn all those points.”
FULL TIME! Wales 20-52 Australia
18:16 , Jamie BraidwoodNo punches pulled from Dan Biggar, speaking to TNT Sports.
“It’s eight tries with a 20-minute red card. They looked like a team bereft of ideas at the end, the confidence looks shot. I don’t know where they go from here, with South Africa next week and France away at the start of the Six Nations.”
Sam Warburton, another former Wales captain, adds: “This is where Wales are at the minute. Welsh fans have to realise we are in a dark place and it might take a while to get out of it.”
FULL TIME! Wales 20-52 Australia
18:14 , Jamie BraidwoodPlenty of ashen-faced, shell-shocked Wales players struggling to come to terms with this. This is a new low.
FULL TIME! Wales 20-52 Australia
18:05 , Jamie BraidwoodBoos at the Principality. An 11th defeat in a row for Wales. A record win for Australia in Cardiff. Remarkable scoreline.
TRY! Wales 20-52 Australia (Wright)
18:04 , Jamie BraidwoodSpeaking of, Tom Wright races away to complete his hat-trick and add a further blow to Wales and Warren Gatland! You thought it couldn’t get worse, but Wales fall apart defensively and Wright crosses for his third try.
52 points for Australia.
Wales 20-47 Australia
18:03 , Jamie Braidwood79 mins: A bleak day for Wales, who will dominate the headlines. But Australia are looking like themselves again - plenty of excitement for the Wallabies.
TRY! Wales 20-47 Australia (Ikitau)
17:59 , Jamie Braidwood75 mins: Australia are cruising to victory - and a record-breaking win at that for the Wallabies in Cardiff. Len Ikitau has the freedom of the Principality and side-steps his way to the line for Australia’s seventh try of the night, in front of a stunned home crowd.
47 points for Australia - their most ever against Wales away from home.
Wales 20-40 Australia
17:55 , Jamie Braidwood72 mins: Lolesio goes for the chip and run through the middle but Wales can clear up. At the other end, Wales knock on and Australia will reset from the scrum.
TRY! Wales 20-40 Australia
17:52 , Jamie Braidwood68 mins: Wales do indeed get the score their overall play has deserved in the second half. A nice line from Ben Thomas, who crosses between the posts. A simple try after good pressure, and a clever pass from James Botham.
Wales 13-40 Australia
17:50 , Jamie Braidwood66 mins: Wales conceded three tries in a 10-minute spell in the first half. They then conceded three tries against 14 men at the start of the second half. There’s been spirit before and after those runs, but it’s not going to be enough. Still, the hosts continue to push for another try.
Wales 13-40 Australia
17:46 , Jamie Braidwood63 mins: Australia are back up to their full number. There are groans as Wales lose another ball from the lineout.
TRY! Wales 13-40 Australia (Wright)
17:44 , Jamie Braidwood60 mins: That could be the end of the Wales fightback! The hosts were throwing everything at the 14 gold shirts, to no avail. Eventually, Ben Thomas’ pass is picked off by Tom Wright, who runs from halfway to score his second try of the day.
Australia are up to 40.
Wales 13-33 Australia
17:42 , Jamie Braidwood59 mins: A sensational one-handed catch from Lukhan Salakaia-Loto frustrates Wales at the lineout. The big man plucks the oval from the sky as if it’s a tennis ball.
NO TRY! Wales 13-33 Australia
17:38 , Jamie Braidwood57 mins: Wales think they’ve scored a stunning try as James Botham scoops up the bouncing ball and fends off the Australia defender to make it to the line.
But it comes back as Blair Murray’s pass, thrown in desperation as the attack broke down, is ruled to have been forward. It was.
Wales 13-33 Australia
17:35 , Jamie Braidwood55 mins: Wales are not able to be as clinical as Australia from the lineout, as Australia hold the hosts at bay and regain possession. There’s a raft of changes for Wales, Rhodri Williams and Eddie James among them.
TRY! Wales 13-33 Australia (Faessler)
17:32 , Jamie Braidwood54 mins: They can! And it’s getting ugly for Wales again as Matt Faessler completes a hat-trick! It again comes from the line-out, as Faessler finds the impressive Rob Valetini.
Faessler again pops up to score his third of the day - and Lolesio adds the conversion.
Wales 13-26 Australia
17:30 , Jamie Braidwood52 mins; Australia have upped it since going down to 14 men. They’ve returned to the corner after drawing another penalty. With two tries already, can they plunder another from the set-piece?
TRY! Wales 13-26 Australia (Faessler)
17:25 , Jamie Braidwood47 mins: Australia go back to the playback and score the same try from the lineout as they did in the first half, as Matt Faessler joins the maul and bundles over to halt Wales’ momentum.
Noah Lolesio stretches their lead to 13 points - but Samu Kerevi is off! It’s a red card for Australia after the TMO bunker review.
Wales 13-19 Australia
17:24 , Jamie Braidwood47 mins; Wales have not been able to get anything going against the 14-men of Australia. Now there’s another TMO review as Ellis Bevan flies into the ruck off the ball, with contact around the chin. Bevan had his arms low, and seems to get away with it with only a penalty awarded.
Australia have the ball back in the corner.
Wales 13-19 Australia
17:21 , Jamie Braidwood45 mins: There’s another lovely take from the impressive Tom Rogers, but Wales concede another penalty in the breakdown as they looked to advance from halfway. The gold shirts advance to the corner.
Wales 13-19 Australia
17:19 , Jamie Braidwood42 mins: Australia are down for 14 for now and it would not be a surprise if that remained the case for until the 80. Wales look to build some momentum but concede the penalty for not releasing, inside the 22’.
YELLOW CARD! Wales 13-19 Australia
17:17 , Jamie Braidwood42 mins: Samu Kerevi could be in trouble here. He crunches into Jac Morgan . There’s shoulder on shoulder, but is there head on head there too? The verdict is yellow, but the bunker review is underway.
Wales 13-19 Australia
17:15 , Jamie Braidwood41 mins: We’re back underway in Cardiff. Can the Wales fightback continue? Australia have made a half-time change with James Slipper replacing Angus Bell in the front row.
HALF TIME! Wales 13-19 Australia
17:07 , Jamie BraidwoodAustralia made 89 carries to Wales’ 52 in the first half, with the hosts making 115 tackles to the Wallabies’ 69. Most of them would have been in the first 20 minutes, as the visitors racked up three tries, but they deserve some praise after responding well to stay in the game.
“Wales deserve credit for the second 20 minutes,” says Dan Biggar on TNT Sports. “You go 19 points down after losing 10 matches. They deserve credit for fighting their way back into the game.”
“In the first 20 Australia dominated physically,” says Sam Warburton. “The second 20 minutes, in making some carries, Wales were so much better.”
HALF TIME! Wales 13-19 Australia
16:59 , Jamie BraidwoodAustralia threatened before half-time, with the phases building again. But it’s not going as smoothly for the Wallabies now. Nic White concedes the penalty and Wales get in only six points down, which they would have snapped your hand off after falling 19-0 down.
Wales 13-19 Australia
16:55 , Jamie Braidwood35 mins: Wales are a different team, driven on by Tom Rogers on the wing. A sharp kick through the middle towards Murray is mopped up by Jorgensen for Australia, with Wright then booting clear.
PENALTY! Wales 13-19 Australia
16:50 , Jamie Braidwood31 mins: And another. Wales had the penalty advantage when Frost is caught offside, with the Wallabies losing some of their discipline towards the end of the half. Anscombe scores from inside halfway to get Wales within six.
PENALTY! Wales 10-19 Australia
16:48 , Jamie BraidwoodSuddenly Wales have trimmed the score. Angus Bell is penalised for a tackle and Anscombe nails the penalty to bring Wales back within nine points.
TRY! Wales 7-19 Australia (Wainwright)
16:42 , Jamie Braidwood24 mins: How Wales needed this! From the scrum, Wales draw the penalty and their attack clicks into life. Anscombe finds Murray on the wing and Wales pile the big bodies forward before Aaron Wainwright squeezes through a gap in front of the posts.
Anscombe adds the conversion and Wales will hope that sparks them into life.
TRY! Wales 0-19 Australia (Faessler)
16:38 , Jamie Braidwood22 mins: Oh dear. This is getting bad for the hosts. Australia go for the maul and the hooker Matt Faessler comes from taking the lineout to powering over the line.
“This could get ugly for Wales, uglier than it already is,” warns Jamie Roberts.
Noah Lolesio adds the two points. Three tries for Australia inside 10 minutes. They’ve been clinical.
Wales 0-12 Australia
16:36 , Jamie Braidwood20 mins: More trouble brewing for Wales as the Wallabies win a penalty and Lolesio chips the ball into the corner.
Wright is threatening again, with Australia moving the ball so quickly in attack. Bevan is offside so Australia will have the chance to go again.
TRY! Wales 0-12 Australia (Frost)
16:33 , Jamie Braidwood16 mins: And another! The giant Nick Frost stretches his legs on the breakaway for an easy score. Wales fell apart after the turnover.
There’s a clever offload from Max Jorgensen to set the move on its way. Once Frost saw the gap, there was no slowing him down.
The towering lock thundered from halfway and this time Lolesio adds the two points.
TRY! Wales 0-5 Australia (Wright 14’)
16:28 , Jamie Braidwood14 mins: There it is! The Wallabies had been building nicely and that’s a lovely score from Tom Wright, as the Wallabies veered to the right wing. The full-back fakes a pass to his outside with Australia building the numerical advantage. Wright slips away from Aaron Wainwright and scores from the corner.
Wales 0-0 Australia
16:27 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: Australia are pilling on the pressure now as the Principality falls to a hush. Rogers is required to make another last-ditch tackle but Australia are getting closer...
Wales 0-0 Australia
16:24 , Jamie Braidwood10 mins: A try-saving tackle from Tom Rogers to drag down Samu Kerevi just before the line after a lovely move from the Wallabies.
Rogers just did enough to pull back Kerevi before he burst over.
Wales 0-0 Australia
16:19 , Jamie Braidwood6 mins: Australia have several dangerous runners in the side, and look to make up the ground through Samu Kerevi. After a knock-on, Wales looked to slip through the grubber-kick, but it breaks down. An exchange of kicks follows, before a touch from Rogers under the high ball gives both sides a breather.
A concern for Wales, though, as the experienced Adam Beard is forced off. Christ Tshiunza is an early replacement from the bench.
Wales 0-0 Australia
16:15 , Jamie Braidwood3 mins: Ellis Bevan gets his first touch as Wales eventually emerge from the scrum with ball in hand. Tom Rogers is handed his first carry but Wales concede the penalty just as they made their first steps into the Australia half.
Wales 0-0 Australia
16:13 , Jamie Braidwood2 mins: Australia looked to be building up the phases in a confident start, but a spill gives Wales the penalty and the chance to reset from the scrum.
KICK-OFF! Wales 0-0 Australia
16:10 , Jamie BraidwoodNoah Lolesio gets us underway as the Wallabies kick off. The visitors immediately regain possession inside the Welsh half.
Wales vs Australia
16:09 , Jamie BraidwoodStirring stuff ahead of kick-off at the Principality. Despite their recent form, the Welsh anthem still packs a punch. Kick-off is next.
Wales vs Australia
16:05 , Jamie BraidwoodHere we go, the players are in the tunnel with those in Welsh red looking to avoid making some unwanted history this afternoon. The sound of ‘11 defeats in a row’ will be ringing in their ears.
But it’s loud, as ever, in Cardiff. With the roof closed, we’re set for a cracker.
Jamie Roberts responds to Warren Gatland comments
16:05 , Jamie BraidwoodJamie Roberts with an honest response to Warren Gatland saying there are former players he is “disappointed” with.
“I think Warren Gatland has done okay because of what the players have done for him. We’re all in this together. It’s never personal and I have a huge amount of respect for Warren Gatland. But I think Warren Gatland appreciates as well that he’s in the position he’s in because of the players as well.
“That’s not personal. It’s never personal. Wales are where they are, they haven’t won since the World Cup. The pressure is on and it’s only right we question that. There’s nothing I say here that I wouldn’t say in the board room either.”
Wales’ winless run: The nine defeats in a row in 2024
15:59 , Jamie Braidwood3 February: vs Scotland, Cardiff, 26-27
10 February: vs England, Twickenham, 14-16
24 February: vs Ireland, Dublin, 7-31
10 March: vs France, Cardiff, 24-45
16 March: vs Italy, Cardiff, 21-24
22 June: vs South Africa, Twickenham, 13-41
6 July: vs Australia, Sydney, 16-25
13 July: vs Australia, Melbourne, 28-36
10 November: vs Fiji, Cardiff, 19-24
Warren Gatland hits out at Wales critics
15:53 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s all getting quite spicy, as it has all week, as the back-and-forth between Warren Gatland and former Wales players, including Jamie Roberts, continues amid Wales’s winless run.
Speaking to TNT Sport before the Australia match, Gatland said there are some former players who he is “disappointed” with after their comments this week.
“If I look back, 12 months ago we had the same people saying we wouldn’t make it out of the World Cup group and we won the group,” Gatland said.
“Since the World Cup it’s been challenging. A lot of the people making comments in the media are there because of their success they had for Wales or the Lions. It’s the way things are.
“Some of them I’m a little disappointed with, because it’s an opportunity to back you in the corner. But the amount of support we’ve had from the Welsh public over the last two weeks has been fantastic.”
Wales vs Australia match officials
15:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleReferee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Joe Schmidt expecting tough test against struggling Wales
15:37 , Harry Latham-CoyleAustralia head coach Joe Schmidt feels that Wales will be “incredibly hard to beat” in today’s encounter at the Principality Stadium.
The odds favour a Wallabies win following their thrilling victory over England last time out, while Wales have lost a record-equalling 10 Tests in a row.
“Obviously, this time last year, Wales put 40 points on the Wallabies (in the World Cup),” Schmidt said.
“They got very close to a number of teams in the Six Nations, losing by one score to England and Scotland, as well as Fiji last week.
“I am expecting them to be incredibly hard to beat. They are dogmatic with the way they go about their defensive work and are very hard to break down.”
Asked about Wales being under pressure, Schmidt added: “You live in this bubble, really. I am too busy worrying about our team.
“It’s funny, I feel under more pressure than I was last week.
“Last week, no-one expected us to win. Suddenly, when expectations shift and you are up against a team that are on a losing run, you are expected to win.
“But it doesn’t actually mean anything in terms of the players running out and getting the job done. I think everyone feels pressure.”
Sam Warburton reveals quick fix for Wales and why Warren Gatland deserves more time
15:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleWarren Gatland has probably crossed a few of his former players off the Christmas card list this week, with Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips and Alex Cuthbert among those to question the head coach’s methods and suggest that Wales would be better served with a different man at the helm.
Former skipper Sam Warburton does not share in that view, believing that Gatland should be given more time, as he explained to The Independent earlier this week:
Sam Warburton reveals quick fix for Wales and why Warren Gatland deserves more time
Australia team news
15:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleJoe Schmidt freshens up his Australian side after a number of knocks and injuries sustained against England last week. Captain Harry Wilson is one of those absent, with prop Allan Alaalatoa taking over as skipper after being elevated from the bench. A returning Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi add plenty of power in the second row and midfield respectively, while Max Jorgensen, match-winner at Twickenham, starts on the wing. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has to be content with a place on the bench despite an eye-catching debut.
Australia XV: 1 Angus Bell, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain); 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton; 6 Seru Uru, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Rob Valetini; 9 Nic White, 10 Noah Lolesio; 11 Max Jorgensen, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Len Ikitau, 14 Andrew Kellaway; 15 Tom Wright.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
🇦🇺 The @wallabies side to take on Wales 🤩#AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/0ZuU1czB04
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 15, 2024
Wales team news
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales are without scrum half Tomos Williams, who is set to miss the rest of November after injuring his shoulder against Fiji, and wing Mason Grady. Ellis Bevan steps in at nine while Tom Rogers is brought in on the wing. In the back row, Jac Morgan is preferred to Tommy Reffell and James Botham to Taine Plumtree.
Wales XV: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Adam Beard; 6 James Botham, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Ellis Bevan, 10 Gareth Anscombe; 11 Blair Murray, 12 Ben Thomas, 13 Max Llewellyn, 14 Tom Rogers; 15 Cameron Winnett.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 Tommy Reffell; 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Eddie James.
🚨 𝗧î𝗺 𝗖𝘆𝗺𝗿𝘂 🏴
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 13, 2024
Here is your Wales team to take on @wallabies in @autumnnations action this Sunday at @principalitysta, 16:10 KO! 🔥👇#AutumnNationsSeries | #WALvAUS
Wales vs Australia talking points: Losing run in focus
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales will reach an all-time results low in their 143-year international rugby history if they lose to Australia.
A defeat against Fiji last time out saw Wales equal a run of 10 Test reversals set under Gatland’s fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen in 2002 and 2003.
Since beating Georgia at the 2023 World Cup, Wales have been toppled by Argentina, Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Italy, South Africa, Australia (twice) and Fiji.
With world champions South Africa looming on November 23, Wales could conceivably go through a whole calendar year without winning a Test, which they have not experienced since 1937.
Wales vs Australia talking points: Jac Morgan makes welcome return
14:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleWales’ 2023 World Cup co-captain Morgan has not started a Test match since that tournament, and he has been missed.
He led Wales in their World Cup quarter-final defeat against Argentina and a non-cap victory over the Barbarians, but it has been a subsequent tale of injury woe, with knee and hamstring problems meaning he took no part in last season’s Six Nations or the summer tour to Australia.
The Ospreys flanker is a player whose performance levels rarely dip; he leads from the front and regularly helps to give Wales momentum.
If Wales are to end their long losing run, then Morgan firing on all cylinders is a vital part of that ambition.
Wales vs Australia talking points: World Cup thumping seems an age ago
14:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was only just under 14 months ago on a Sunday night in Lyon that Wales put Australia to the sword. They cruised into the World Cup quarter-finals by posting a record 40-6 win that underlined Australia’s demise under Eddie Jones.
The Wallabies ultimately made a pool stage exit and head coach Jones departed just two months later.
Wales, though, have won only one Test match since then, while Australia are now in the hands of former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt. They won both Tests of a summer series against Wales this year, and although five defeats followed in the Rugby Championship, Australia hit a new high under Schmidt by defeating England in their autumn opener.
Brilliant Wales thrash abject Australia to bring Eddie Jones’s world crashing down
The game needs superstars – Warren Gatland talks up Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
14:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleJoseph-Aukuso Suaalii may only be on the bench today for Australia, but Warren Gatland was one of many mightily impressed by the code hopper’s rugby union debut at Twickenham last weekend.
The game needs superstars – Warren Gatland talks up Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Will Skelton and Allan Alaalatoa among Wallabies returnees
14:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleAustralia lock Will Skelton and prop Allan Alaalatoa return to the starting line-up to face Wales as new centre Joseph Suaalii drops to the bench for the clash in Cardiff on Sunday.
Australia are looking to build on their 42-37 victory over England at Twickenham as they go up against a Welsh side who have lost 10 matches in a row and who they beat twice on home soil in July.
Captain for this week Alaalatoa comes into the side for Taniela Tupou, while Skelton replaces Jeremy Williams.
Wales dealt major injury blow as Tomos Williams ruled out of Australia clash
13:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleScrum half Tomos Williams will miss Wales’ Autumn Nations Series clash against Australia on Sunday.
Williams suffered a shoulder injury during the 24-19 defeat against Fiji, which equalled a record run of 10 successive Test match defeats.
Gloucester number nine Williams is replaced by Ellis Bevan, while Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan will make his first Test start since the 2023 World Cup.
Morgan last featured in a Wales Test line-up against World Cup quarter-final opponents Argentina 13 months ago, before knee and hamstring injuries sidelined him for last season’s Six Nations and the summer tour to Australia.
Wales dealt major injury blow as Tomos Williams ruled out of Australia clash
Warren Gatland ‘didn’t think there’d be this much pain’ in Wales rebuild process
13:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWarren Gatland says he would probably head to the beach with a glass of wine “away from some of the pressure” if it was decided he should not continue in his role as Wales head coach.
Wales have lost their last 10 Test matches and are without a Test win since the 2023 World Cup.
Defeat against in-form Autumn Nations Series opponents Australia would inflict a record run of bad results on them, eclipsing the current sequence and that of 2002 and 2003 under Gatland’s fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen.
Warren Gatland ‘didn’t think there’d be this much pain’ in Wales rebuild process
Wales vs Australia LIVE
Friday 15 November 2024 16:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleGood afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of the Autumn Nations Series clash between Wales and Australia.
Warren Gatland’s hosts are in desperate need of a win, Wales still without a victory in 2024 and bidding to avoid the ignominy of a worst losing run in the side’s history. Can they end their streak against a Wallabies team riding high after a thrilling win over England?
Kick off is at 4.10pm GMT.
