Wales must avoid defeat against Australia to spare themselves from their worst losing run in history with Warren Gatland’s side still searching for a first win of 2024.
Gatland has faced calls to quit from a number of his former players as scrutiny grows on his coaching of a young side that looked short of confidence and calm against Fiji. While the New Zealander would appear to retain the backing of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), the prospect of a winless year is a real one with only South Africa to come after this fixture
The Wallabies secured a 2-0 series victory when these two met on Australian soil in July and are bouncing in to Cardiff on the back of a helter-skelter win against England in their Autumn Nations Series opener. Joe Schmidt is a familiar foe of Gatland’s from his time with Ireland and has freshened up his side as he looks to prolong the pain for his old rival.
Follow all of the latest from the Principality Stadium in our live blog below:
TRY! Wales 20-40 Australia
68 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.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:52
Wales 13-40 Australia
66 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.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:50
Wales 13-40 Australia
63 mins: Australia are back up to their full number. There are groans as Wales lose another ball from the lineout.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:46
TRY! Wales 13-40 Australia (Wright)
60 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.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:44
Wales 13-33 Australia
59 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.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:42
NO TRY! Wales 13-33 Australia
57 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.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:38
Wales 13-33 Australia
55 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.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:35
TRY! Wales 13-33 Australia (Faessler)
54 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.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:32
Wales 13-26 Australia
52 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?
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:30
TRY! Wales 13-26 Australia (Faessler)
47 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.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:25
