Wales suffered a difficult start to their Autumn international series as a forceful Australia took a 32-8 victory at the Principality Stadium.
Stephen Moore, Tevita Kuridrani and Reece Hodge all crossed in the first half as Australia flew out of the blocks in an impressive display in the capital.
And wile Bernard Foley added a fourth score soon after the interval, Wales were able to get a foothold in the encounter, with their possession and territory rewarded with a score from Scott Williams.
They were not able to add anymore, however, as Dane Haylett-Petty picked up breakaway try, a strong preparation for Australia’s trip to Wales’ RBS 6 Nations rivals Scotland next Saturday.
Halfpenny makes welcome return
While it proved a difficult afternoon for Wales, there was at least one major point of encouragement as Leigh Halfpenny returned to the fore.
He had been out of action for the best part of 14 months, but it took just seven minutes for the 27-year-old to find his range, making the most of some excellent Gethin Jenkins work in the ruck to kick Wales back to parity after Anthony Foley’s early kick.
While the full-back wasn’t to add any more to his tally, just the sight of Halfpenny back in a Wales jersey brought many a smile to the Principality Stadium.
He also improved integral, stopping Reece Hodge flying through with a fantastic tackle as the hosts held on despite being down to 14 men with Dan Biggar’s yellow card for an early tackle.
Moriarty impresses in defence
Australia proved dominant in the early stages, but the scoreline could have made for worse reading for Wales had it not been for Ross Moriarty.
The flanker seemed to always be in the right place at the right time, flying into numerous tackles as part of his side’s scramble defence,
And the 22-year-old was not done there, proving an integral cog in the Welsh defensive wheel as he emerged from the scrum on multiple occasions, most notably helping his country keep Australia at bay despite at a numerical inferiority.
Second-half Welsh fightback
Despite being up against it at the break, the hosts fought back after Foley added a score, with Hallam Amos and Williams in particular leading the charge.
Having come on as a replacement, Amos executed a positive break down the left-hand side, threatening the Aussie back-line with some nimble feet.
But it was left to Williams to execute the killer blow, showing perfect intuition to spot the incline of a gap, picking up his own grubber kick to dot down for Wales’ only score of the game.
The 26-year-old had only been a late inclusion at the Principality Stadium, replacing the injured Jonathan Davies for a side also missing Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton and Taulupe Faletau.
Uphill battle for Jenkins
“We lost that game in the first half and we will have to have a look at it and see where we went wrong,” skipper Jenkins told BBC Sport.
“It was always an uphill task to get back in that game.
“We probably forced it a little bit too much in the first 20 minutes of the second half,”
“We showed some good spirit to come back at the end and we probably could have got one more try.”
Coach pleased with fightback
Head coach Rob Howley said: “I thought we grew into the game second half. But we had no foothold in the game in the first half, which was frustrating for the players and for everyone, the supporters I am sure.
“It was difficult for 40 minutes and then the influence because you are playing against the scoreboard you start playing rugby a little bit too much in your own half and trying to force things.
“I am glad with the intent and the ambition we kept playing.”
