Welsh thrash Wallabies – RWC 2023
Australia’s World Cup campaign has become their worst-ever showing at the tournament – following a 40-6 thrashing at the hands of Wales in Lyon.
Wales became the first Rugby World Cup team to qualify for the quarterfinals on Sunday while virtually shutting the door on Australia’s hopes.
The far more experienced Welsh won by expertly executing a low-risk, disciplined gameplan and punishing Australian mistakes.
Penalties by the error-prone Wallabies gave replacement flyhalf Gareth Anscombe goal-shooting practice. He slotted six of seven penalty attempts — the one miss hit the post — and converted a try he set up for inside center Nick Tompkins.
In a high-stakes contest, Wales rose to the occasion at OL Stadium with their biggest win against Australia in their 115-year history, and handed the Wallabies their heaviest World Cup defeat.
Wales scored three tries, conceding none, and kept Australia scoreless after the 14th minute.
Captain Jac Morgan, sporting cotton plugs up both bleeding nostrils, set up the first try and scored the last in another brilliant performance.
In just the third minute, Wales called a short lineout and Morgan hung behind the backs. From a quick tap down, Tompkins’ inside pass met Morgan in a huge gap and scrumhalf Gareth Davies was in support to finish his eighth try across three Rugby World Cups.
Biggar converted and was replaced by Anscombe while Australia were in the ascedency. The Wallabies patiently built pressure in phases but couldn’t finish them off. Halves Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson made breaks but couldn’t make the last passes.
Donaldson kicked two penalties to close it to 7-6 and received another kickable penalty for the lead. But Australia opted for touch and an attacking lineout but nobody was lifted for the catch and Wales took the gift and cleared.
Australia never recovered, and conceded soft penalties for Anscombe to tick over the scoreboard.
By halftime, Wales led 16-6 and contained Australia by making 103 tackles.
A scrum penalty three minutes into the new half brought the kicking tee back on for Anscombe and Wales didn’t look back as Australia’s confidence ebbed away.
Morgan scored the third try in the 78th from a lineout maul, then held up Suliasi Vunivalu over the line to prevent Australia even from a consolation score.
Wales 40 (Gareth Davies, Nick Tompkins, Jac Morgan tries; Dan Biggar conversion, Gareth Anscombe conversion, 5 penalties, drop goal),
Australia 6 (Ben Donaldson 2 penalties)
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