Wales suffered defeat to Australia in Sydney this morning in the first of two summer international Tests against the Wallabies.
Warren Gatland’s side had gone into the game on the back of seven straight defeats, having lost all of their matches at the Six Nations earlier this year and then falling to a 41-13 defeat at the hands of South Africa in June, and were unable to buck the trend against Australia.
In the first half their issues were rooted in the set pieces, and they struggled to make inroads in the scrum, but in the second it started to look a bit more frantic and they couldn’t find a way through the Australia line.
For the Wallabies, new head coach Joe Schmidt led them to victory having taken over after Eddie Jones led them to a humiliating elimination at the pool stage of the 2023 World Cup.
Both of these sides faced off in that tournament, with Wales running out 40-6 victors in September, though injuries and retirements mean that this time round, Gatland’s squad is weaker than he’d have liked heading into the tour.
Follow all the latest updates and reaction during the first test below, as well as all the reaction to New Zealand v England:
Full time: Australia 25-16 Wales
The new Australia head coach has won his first Test match in charge.
It might not have been the smoothest game for them, and was ultimately decided by a stunning try from Wright, but a new captain and a number of debutants have led them to victory.
Wales had their bright moments, and will want to build on those going into the second Test, but Australia were arguably the deserved winners.
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:49
Australia 25-16 Wales, 80 minutes
Wales will have one last attack but it’s been kicked out.
They have just struggled to open up that Australia line.
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:47
Australia 25-16 Wales, 78 minutes
Australia take the ball from the line out, and the set pieces have let them down a little bit.
The Wallabies kick clear, Wales come to try and attack them again, but the hosts have another penalty.
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:44
Australia 25-16 Wales, 76 minutes
Wales have a penalty for player leaving feet, but they would need a try and more to level things here.
Can they produce something here?
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:43
Australia 25-16 Wales, 74 minutes
Wales go on the charge, and find a way into the 22.
They are gaining but slowly, and the ball is chipped over the top for Hathaway but just out of reach, although the Wales player is claiming his arm was pulled out of the way.
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:40
Australia 25-16 Wales, 72 minutes
What have Wales got to answer that? There are less than 10 minutes left, and Wales have not won in Sydney since 1969.
They are trying to break through, but the Wallabies have forced them back and into touch.
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:38
Try: Australia 25-16 Wales, 69 minutes
Tom Wright has just weaved his way through in transition.
It was Lynagh and then Wright who took over to score a brilliant try. Wales were just too narrow, and Wright just had to beat Tomkins to then drive through to the lines.
It was too big an ask for the covering defender and that was a stunning try.
Lynagh converts, and Australia have a healthy lead.
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:35
Australia 18-16 Wales, 65 minutes
Wales kick it, but on the full, so the ball will go back for a scrum to the visitors just around the half way mark.
Wales have just started to force the unforced errors and but the Wallabies under pressure.
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:33
Penalty: Australia 18-16 Wales, 65 minutes
Penalty: Australia are doing so well to slow down the Welsh attack, other than their mauls, which have been impressive throughout the game.
Wales have a penalty, it’s a long way out but Thomas goes for it, and he sends it straight through the posts off the left-hand upright!
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:31
Australia 18-13 Wales, 62 minutes
Bevan kicks well and sets up a 50-22, in only his second Test match, can Wales use this as an opportunity to push forwards.
Sonia Twigg6 July 2024 12:27
