International rugby matches are decided by the narrowest of margins, and at the highest levels mistakes by one team are often punished by the opposition.
Those are two lessons Wales’ young players took away from Warren Gatland’s side’s nine-game losing streak in Melbourne on Saturday.
Wales did a great job at AAMI Park. They scored four tries, two of which came from the lucrative source of the rolling maul, courtesy of their outstanding captain Dewi Lake.
But despite that effort and a second-half try from Liam Williams, Godland’s side conceded a crucial penalty and Joe Schmidt’s Australia struck back immediately.
It dampened the momentum of the Welsh revival.
Warren Gatland (pictured) and Wales suffered their ninth successive defeat to Australia.
Wales lost 36-28 to Australia in the second test match in Melbourne.
Joe Schmidt’s side got off to a strong start, scoring two tries in the first 25 minutes.
‘We worked really hard for the points and showed our inexperience by giving them the points.’ The team’s winless run is now one short of the worst in national history.
Wales went on a 10-game losing streak between 2002 and 2003. Gatland’s current record will be equalled if they lose to domestic side Queensland Reds on Friday.
Gatland has won just six of his 21 Tests since returning to the top job of Welsh rugby at the end of 2022 and he said: “It was disappointing because there were a lot of points they could have gotten without having to work too hard. I can’t fault that effort. We’ve got lads who have to learn from those experiences. There were six points from the two kick-offs when we weren’t out.
‘They are a big moment. I’m saying this is going to be a really good team. There’s a big buzz within this group. The difference is (Australia) are probably a little bit more worldly.’
Wales trailed 17-0 after 25 minutes, with the Wallabies through Filipo Daugunu and Jake Gordon. The second came from another Welsh error when Cameron Winnett failed to take a high ball. Daugunu finished off a length-of-the-field attack started by Andrew Kellaway. Lake responded with two goals and Australia lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was booked for a dangerous tackle on Archie Griffin, but Noah Lolesio’s boot helped the Wallabies maintain control 23-14.
They eventually won the series and the James Bevan Trophy, having lost eight of their last ten games.
Dewi Lake (right) scored twice for Wales but said after the match that ‘little inaccuracies cost the team’.
Liam Williams (left) contributed to Wales’ goal in the 70th minute when Rio Dyer scored a touchdown.
Australia’s Jake Gordon (centre) also scored for the home team, beating several Welsh players to get past the whitewash.
Hunter Paisami clashes with Wales defence as Australia punish tourists for multiple mistakes
When Williams crossed for the start of the second period and Ben Thomas converted after a simple penalty missed on the first try of the day, Wales were two points clear and looking set to win their first game on Australian soil since 1969. Such success would have been invaluable to Gatland’s younger generation’s confidence.
But just after the restart, Williams gave away a penalty, giving Australia field position after Allan Ala-Alatoa was brought down. And then came the decisive moment of the game.
It was another case of Wales shooting themselves in the foot. When Australia kicked for touch, there seemed little danger. Williams leaped acrobatically into the air to keep the ball in play and tap it back to substitute Kieran Hardy. But the two were not on the same page and home winger Daugnu followed suit and raced to score.
It was a red-packed Australia score in Wales. You can’t win a Test match if you concede a try to a team like that.
Gatland’s side will now be nervous as they prepare for the Reds, and a defeat to their club side will likely sharpen the blade.
Lake, James Bottom and Griffin have been Wales standouts in Melbourne and offer hope for the future.
‘Losing is always a bitter pill to swallow, especially when you’ve worked hard. Unfortunately, we did that to ourselves by letting them get ahead,’ Hooker-Lake said.
‘We have a never-give-up attitude, but that has to last for 80 minutes. Any little inaccuracy costs us.’
Wales had a late hope thanks to a superb finish from Leo Dyer. But as expected, a further lack of discipline allowed Australia to finish the game. Wales also need to look at their lineouts.
Wales will return to England to regroup ahead of the autumn Tests against Fiji, Australia and South Africa in November.
Schmidt said he felt “relieved” after the win, adding, “I like the way Lake leads the team. When you go up 17-0, you want to keep that score on the scoreboard.”
Two key passes from Lake’s replacement, Evan Lloyd, were mishit late in the game.
It means Australia have won their first series under new coach Schmidt 2-0.
‘I was just relieved. I thought Wales were the best,’ Schmidt said. ‘I like the way Lake leads them and when you go up 17-0, you want to keep that on the scoreboard.
‘But then he (Rake) led them (Wales) back and it became an arm wrestling match. We had to work hard. Our score was a bit of a fluke.
‘I think we still have a lot to learn about each other.’
