Wales suffered another defeat as Australia won by a record margin in Cardiff (Getty Images)
Australia hooker Matt Faessler and fullback Tom Wright both scored a hat-trick of tries as the Wallabies thrashed a tired-looking Wales 52-20 to condemn the home side to their worst run of results.
It was an unprecedented 11th successive defeat for Wales, who last won at the World Cup 13 months ago, and the result will add significant pressure onto veteran coach Warren Gatland, whose tenure had already been under scrutiny.
Australia, who had a poor run of results themselves this year, continued their upturn in fortunes as they won a second successive test after last weekend’s 42-37 victory over England, with lock Nick Frost and centre Len Ikitau also scoring tries and Noah Lolesio kicking six conversions.
Wales’ points came from tries from Aaron Wainwright and Ben Thomas and eight from the boot of flyhalf Gareth Anscombe and a Sam Costelow conversion.
Follow all of the latest from the Principality Stadium in our live blog below:
TRY! Wales 20-52 Australia (Wright)
Speaking of, Tom Wright races away to complete his hat-trick and add a further blow to Wales and Warren Gatland! You thought it couldn’t get worse, but Wales fall apart defensively and Wright crosses for his third try.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 18:04
Wales 20-47 Australia
79 mins: A bleak day for Wales, who will dominate the headlines. But Australia are looking like themselves again – plenty of excitement for the Wallabies.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 18:03
TRY! Wales 20-47 Australia (Ikitau)
75 mins: Australia are cruising to victory – and a record-breaking win at that for the Wallabies in Cardiff. Len Ikitau has the freedom of the Principality and side-steps his way to the line for Australia’s seventh try of the night, in front of a stunned home crowd.
47 points for Australia – their most ever against Wales away from home.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:59
Wales 20-40 Australia
72 mins: Lolesio goes for the chip and run through the middle but Wales can clear up. At the other end, Wales knock on and Australia will reset from the scrum.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:55
TRY! Wales 20-40 Australia
68 mins: Wales do indeed get the score their overall play has deserved in the second half. A nice line from Ben Thomas, who crosses between the posts. A simple try after good pressure, and a clever pass from James Botham.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:52
Wales 13-40 Australia
66 mins: Wales conceded three tries in a 10-minute spell in the first half. They then conceded three tries against 14 men at the start of the second half. There’s been spirit before and after those runs, but it’s not going to be enough. Still, the hosts continue to push for another try.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:50
Wales 13-40 Australia
63 mins: Australia are back up to their full number. There are groans as Wales lose another ball from the lineout.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:46
TRY! Wales 13-40 Australia (Wright)
60 mins: That could be the end of the Wales fightback! The hosts were throwing everything at the 14 gold shirts, to no avail. Eventually, Ben Thomas’ pass is picked off by Tom Wright, who runs from halfway to score his second try of the day.
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:44
Wales 13-33 Australia
59 mins: A sensational one-handed catch from Lukhan Salakaia-Loto frustrates Wales at the lineout. The big man plucks the oval from the sky as if it’s a tennis ball.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:42
NO TRY! Wales 13-33 Australia
57 mins: Wales think they’ve scored a stunning try as James Botham scoops up the bouncing ball and fends off the Australia defender to make it to the line.
But it comes back as Blair Murray’s pass, thrown in desperation as the attack broke down, is ruled to have been forward. It was.
Jamie Braidwood17 November 2024 17:38
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