Australia: Steal win from Wales
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Australia's replacement pivot Mike Harris killed off Wales' hopes of keeping their Test series alive after slotting a last-gasp penalty kick to steal a 25-23 win in Melbourne.
It was a sad case of close but no cigar for the Welsh who came within seconds of winning Down Under for the first time in 43 years and set up a series decider.
However, Harris - on for Berrick Barnes - was called upon to provide the killer blow for the Wallabies after a maul was ruled to have been dragged down and Australia's New Zealand-born super sub didn't disappoint.
The defeat left a devasted Wales outfit once again reflecting on a golden chance gone begging in a thrilling encounter that saw the lead change hands nine times as the match went down to the wire.
The visitors showed their trademark fighting spirit at Etihad Stadium but the loss meant a series victory for Australia, who took out the first Test in Brisbane last week.
Wales got off to a the perfect start, launching a sustained attack after just three minutes which ended when wing George North side-stepped past Wycliff Palu and Rob Simmons to touch down.
Leigh Halfpenny kicked the easy conversion but the hosts went on to have the better of the half and Barnes kicked a pair of penalties to reduce their deficit to 7-6.
The diminuitive fly-half then made a crucial break on the stroke of half-time after slicing through a large gap between Sam Warburton and Ashley Beck, before coolly finding Rob Horne on his shoulder and the centre cruised over the line.
Barnes added the extras to make it a seven-pointer and the Welsh trailed 13-7 at the break.
However, the tourists once again started the better of the two sides after Ashley Beck and Jonathan Davies combined to show off their soccer skills by hacking the ball downfield when Will Genia's pass went astray.
Beck hit the deck, but Davies got a favourable bounce and calmly collected the ball near the line to score. Halfpenny once again added the extras and Wales were back in front (13-14).
Barnes booted a pair of three-pointers either side of a Halfpenny penalty and Australia were clinging to a 19-17 lead, but they then lost wing Cooper Vuna to the sin-bin for tackling Halfpenny in the air.
The Welsh full-back kicked the resulting penalty to put his side up 20-19 but the Wallabies went straight onto the attack and Barnes made it 22-20 when Wales infringed at a ruck.
The see-saw battle continied when the reliable Halfpenny was on target once again when Ben Alexander was penalised at a scrum 13 minutes from time before Barnes - who had been struggling with a leg injury - then put a kick wide of the posts with six minutes left.
But the Wallabies got another chance when, with the 80 minutes having elapsed, Richard Hibbard infringed at a driving maul, and Harris calmly stepped up to drill a tricky penalty straight through the uprights.
Man of the match: For Wales, Leigh Halfpenny kept his side in the hunt thanks to a flawless kicking display and perhaps would've been awarded this gong had Wales won. However, the official man of the match award went to new dad Berrick Barnes and it's hard to argue against it. Australia's number ten set up the Wallabies' only try of the match and contributed 17 points before being replaced.
Moment of the match: We're pretty sure every pub in Wales now have a picture of Mike Harris on the bullseye of their dartboards following the replacement's match-winning kick in extra time.
Villain of the match: Mike Harris - we were looking forward to seeing the series head into a decider next weekend! But we won't hold it against you... too much.
The scorers:
For Australia:
Try: Horne
Con: Barnes
Pens: Barnes 5, Harris
For Wales:
Tries: North, Davies
Cons: Halfpenny 2
Pens: Halfpenny 3
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Cooper Vuna, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dave Dennis, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Nic White, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Mike Harris.
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Ryan Jones, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Luke Charteris, 19 Justin Tipuric, 20 Rhys Webb, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
By Dave Morris
Comments
KiwiLad says...
Here Here Ramage, J4All, the cries of cheating ref, cheating players etc are pathetic.
The conspiracy theorists who post this garbage are a disgrace to the game.
Sadly these bad/sad loosers come from a range of countries.
But would it not be wise to just ignore these inbreds??
Posted 10:59 17th June 2012
Mayhem says...
@new j4a, we will get there one day, until then, having a dad from Durban means I get to enjoy at least one victory this weekend! Go Bokke!
Posted 10:49 17th June 2012
anotherfarce says...
@Jonesy2
I think you went to the same reff school as Ramage & swam in the same pond as Fish!!!!
Posted 10:01 17th June 2012
new_j4a says...
@jonesy2 Oz did win the second test against Wales, but only just, contrary to your prediction. Well done. Here's what you said before the match against Scotland. You are fast becoming Oz's BokVanDumb or BokAvenger or FISH....a stupid, ignorant braggart.
"PR you have to calm down with the south african and australian hating and ignorance, seriously. suggesting that last year samoa exposed australia because a lack of depth is laughably stupid, the wallabies are by far the deepest test nation barring NZ obviously, samoa won because australia were arrogant and didnt take the game seriously. anyone failing to recognise the probability that scotland are going to concede a crazy amount of tries are just being completely dilusional. im not saying that its impossible for scotland to win but predicting an upset is just pathetic because its only done out of spite and so easy to turn around and claim that australia should have won all along if the wallabies get up. all you claim you think scotland can win, go down to the TAB and put half your latest or next pay check on that result then....... whats that? thought so."
One can only hope that you did put a substantial chunk of your welfare allowance on the Scotland game.....and cut down on your cider and rollup allowance?
Posted 10:01 17th June 2012
anotherfarce says...
@Ramage
I think you are telling porkies Mr, there is no way in the world you have officially adjudicated for 25yrs, you state:-
"I had over 25 yrs of refereeing experience and whilst I have some knowledge of the Laws"
You would have a great knowledge of the laws, including the ones that have changed & others that have evolved.
Cut the poo mate, you have 25yrs of bullshiting experience easy to see from earlier posts!!!
Those of you who are saying Wales deserved to lose are just masking the fact the you were more than matched by the Welsh. Time to get some windex for those goggles. Ramage please get some glen20 for that bullshit mate!!!
Posted 09:51 17th June 2012
makemehappy says...
@Ramage - I agree they refs aren't cheats, they just make such bad decisions (e.g. making up rules, refusing to issue the appropriate cards, allowing highly dubious tries (re England game) that it is hardly surprising they are called cheats. It is either that or many are utterly incapable.
Posted 09:24 17th June 2012
Trader2 says...
@Ramage - well said old son
Posted 08:47 17th June 2012
Ramage says...
@startledwombat really loved your last comment about shouting at the tv for no response chortled merrily for quit a while. You must have the same brand as I do.
Posted 08:43 17th June 2012
anotherfarce says...
@Trader2 & Startledwombat
Here you go again with your "bemoan rubbish". The penalty that led to the Wallabies kick to the corner came from Kepu & Moore diving through the bottom of the scrum (i.e) collapsing the scrum very easy to see on replay, only the ref does not have this luxury at his disposal & has to make an on the spot desicion. (Unfortunately) for Wales a wrong one, view it again and see who gets up from under the Welsh pack???
Why would the Welsh pack collapse it they were far stronger you dropkick??? They also had nothing to gain from that position & time in the match.
That was the only way the Wallabies could have won this game was from a penalty kick as the Welsh defence was also superior. I don't care much for your comments they are usually made wearing a full-face helmet backwards (blinkered) as the better side lost, quite easy to see watching the game without blinkers on.
Thats ok I can live with the loss, I just dislike blinkered one eyed half arsed comments. This game was a good one as was the Ireland / NZ game.
I also see the boks easily accounting for Aus in the 4N (but hope this isn't the case) & will be waiting with real interest to see how the AB's try & cope with them.
Had that call gone in Wales's favour you would have been staring down the barrel of a 2-1 series defeat. This game showed where both sides stand & there was nothing in it for anyones money so keep the crap comments coming!!!
Posted 08:37 17th June 2012
Ramage says...
As the editor has pointed out we all need to suck in a bit of air and learn how to respond. Admittedly there are times we are upset with a certain post. I along with others have decided to ignore a number of the more outrageous ones.Now have added Fish to that list.
However one area that gets my goat is the reference that referees are cheats. Yes we can all disagree with certain decisions but in the end I believe the referee makes the ruling in good faith and sometimes is wrong. However there are a number of people on here who have the word ref in their title which can or can not make them out to be referees. First I would suggest if they are still refereeing they or they are former referees then they should remember the minute they take up the keyboard to post their opinions they are not doing so as a referee but as a supporter of the country they come from or an interested party from another. They are not writing as a referee. I had over 25 yrs of refereeing experience and whilst I have some knowledge of the Laws I never rose to be an International referee and would bow to any referee, including some I do not like, as far as experience is concerned. when I write posts on here I do not write as a former referee but as a supporter and whilst I may have some understanding of what should or should not have happened My view from the TV is somewhat limited and in some cases distorted. It is somewhat galling for either the posts from some fans who have the word ref written in their name to attack a referee as being a cheat or favouring a certain team. Favouring? What does that really mean? It is hardly objective. Likewise the condescending statements that are aimed at experienced International referees by much less experienced referees who really are not referees on this forum but supporters of one of the teams and should remember this.
Posted 07:55 17th June 2012
jonesy2 says...
celticspirit -- hahaha um you dont actually have a clue what you are saying it would be embarrassing if it wasnt so funny (not as embarrassing as your name though)
Posted 07:14 17th June 2012
jonesy2 says...
brilliant game of rugby of the highest standard, i thought it was all over with a couple of minutes to go but the wallaby scrum was just awesome i thought sekope played a monster of a game, barnes, what a man, literally came in at the last minute after being at hospital all week and puts in that performance, legendary. and pocock is just ridiculous there are no words for his ability lydiate should have been at least yellowed if not redded for that act of disgrace (after the whistle had gone aswell) not even bakkies would do that the only thing worse than that is the write ups from PR and not putting lydiate as villian of the match.
Posted 07:07 17th June 2012
tha_mai says...
Warburton's nightmare - when Priestland decides on his own Plan B:
just over a minute left on the clock - 'The plan was to keep the ball,' revealed skipper Warburton. 'When the ball was kicked, I remember Ryan Jones shouting "No" at the top of his voice."
On to next week.
Posted 07:01 17th June 2012
jonesy2 says...
new_j4a --- excuse me? what words to eat? the wallabies won the game or are you a complete moron you dont know how to read numbers? i dont even know why i am replying to a lump of turd like you to be honest.
Posted 06:58 17th June 2012
kiwilad says...
Ironically there is an odour about some of the posts on this site, been out of the water a little long FISH???
Posted 02:09 17th June 2012
Waz4before says...
Amazing stats when the yellow card was given (60 m) with Oz having 75% territory and 66% possession yet the scoreboard had nothing in it. Great game to watch though, I just hope Wales carry their new-found charitable play in to the 6Ns next year -kicking possession away with a minute to go was just criminal.
And for those posting "it was the Refs fault ... Again!" please get a life and try and get out more!!!!!!
Posted 01:55 17th June 2012
BDAUSSIE says...
both teams played well, but the right team definitely won. Aus played all the rugby. Wales' try was more or less an intercept try against the run of play. Wallabies were in control until Vuna had a brain explosion and was sent off. An injured Barnes then misses the kick from right in front to seal the game. Aus could have wrapped this one up much earlier.
For those of you NH fans AGAIN complaining about the referee (it really is sad) in my view it was Wales that slowed down the Aussie ball all night and they were generally coming off the line too early. Pollock let them get away with a lot. The final penalty was the right call as the wallabies maul was rolling forward, no reason they would have collapsed their own maul. Pollock actually should have played advantage to the wallabies, rather than call it up immediately.
Very entertaining game though and congratulations to both teams
Posted 01:42 17th June 2012
84GS says...
A few Stats on the Aus / Wales Game, Penalty's Aus 12 Wales 7, Line outs Lost Aus 0 Wales 3 & one not straight, Rucks & Mauls Aus 114 Wales 52, Missed Tackles, Aus 12 Wales 26, Run Metres Aus 670, Wales 262, Scrums Aus 4 Wales 1, turn overs Aus 11, Wales 10, Possession Aus 57% Wales 43%. Have a look at them!!! the only ones Wales won were the ones you don't want to win, Missed Tackles, lost lineouts, Throw Not straight ( the roof was closed so no wind). The Welsh were not unucky they were lucky to be that close ! Why did they kick the ball away in the last few minutes.... because thats what they do. When Cooper Vuna was off the field they did not even try to use that advantage and spread it wide!!
As for Cooper Vuna how dumb was that, I don't think it will matter if he is suspended or not because I don't think he will be there anyway.
As for the NH comments on the scrums it is like a broken record blah blah blah, 5 scrums in the total game, the name of the game is Rugby not Scrum.
Anyway looking forward to another good game next week
Posted 01:31 17th June 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Australia lost the ball 3 times in the last 3 minutes and each time Wales gave it back to them, should have held it or kicked it out. Simple stuff.
Posted 01:17 17th June 2012
Trader2 says...
@startledwombat yes I see where you are coming from the kicker, could have gone to ground and the support would most probably have got to him. I guess it just highlights that collectively the Welsh were just not thinking, for mine with 90 secs left you must always take the advantage play. II suppose you have to question Warburton's leadership, a bit like Ritchie in the 2007 WC quarter, hopefully Warburton will learn like McCaw did. A great night of Rugby all round really but the Wannabies will be better for Beale and O'Connor's return (Beale of course subject to any punishments that may be coming his way) and I see the Argies beat France again, this Rugby Championship is going to be a cracker.
Posted 00:58 17th June 2012