Wales v Australia Rugby Union

14 months ago, World Cup semi- finalists. Nine months ago, Grand

Slam champions. Four weeks ago, supremely optimistic. One week ago,

supremely forlorn. A big day for rugby today, desperately seeking

success after three autumn defeats Well, here is the record scorer for

Argentina. And the architects over the win over the Welsh 11 years ago

today. Off the right foot, see you later, Halfpenny. A great finish.

This is going to be her try in the This is a huge game for Wales.

has taken them over a minute to get on the scoreboard. Support... He

gets over in the corner. A Leigh Halfpenny cannot get there. He has

And they do the Haka. That is a Over goes Woodcock. And they have

another try. And they score! Alex The best of the best were here last

week but today is the real sting in the tail. Wales were looking to

finish 4th in the world seedings guaranteeing them a good draw when

it came to the World Cup draw on Monday. Will lose today to these

Australians and Wales find themselves out of the top eight.

And hostages to fortune when the Bulls come out of the hat on Monday

afternoon. -- the Bulls. At it is the 6th the meeting

between them this year. Wales are second, narrowly. Whilst there

performance has been dead beside it -- described as EastEnders, it has

been more like Casualty with all the injuries. Wallabies are the

favourites because they can produce the goods when it matters. Ask

England and it today. -- Italy. These are the world rankings. The

key number there is seven, that is where Wales it. If they lose, they

will go below Samoa and Argentina and into the first pall of groups

on Monday afternoon which means they could find themselves facing

formidable opponents. It is a lovely winter's day. The roof is

closed and beneath we find Tavern devas, drums and the script and

Brian Moore. Is there an air of desperation about Wales? Yes. They

put themselves in that position so they have got to get themselves out

of it. The first two games, they didn't perform well and they lost.

If we don't perform well, we are not good enough to win games. New

Zealand were fantastic but this is a big test for them. They have not

been able to close games off against Australia, especially in

the summer. It is a huge test for Wales. Let's tidy up if you lose

sense from last weekend, not least the Andrew Hore assault which got

the derisory sentence of five weeks out of the game, and only missing

the one game at England -- against England today. There was a huge

mitigating factor which is being an All Black, which entitles you to a

massive discount. It was very, very bad and at the end of the day and

if you take factors into account white the fact that he admitted he

had done it, it was not very pivotal. They give weeks instead of

games, which means he is going to give -- to miss one again. He will

not play in pre-season games anywhere! We talk about the All

Blacks and how well they play rugby, what a beautiful art it is,

beautiful rugby, but it would be great if they had come out and

said... They say that this always happens to them, but they bring it.

Now in the future, they will be able to say that dirty buoy, get

off. In future as well, if you are sent off an international match,

you should be banned for 5-8 weeks international matches. There was a

great deal in the Times saying that New Zealand is the best because

they push it to the limit the whole time and sometimes beyond. It is

not their fault they are getting light bans. It is the people in the

judicial it. This try that was scored last weekend, that was

against Tonga, Andy Robinson decided he had had enough of the

Scottish national team. What stabbed inevitable? Knowing him as

I'm too, he has another three years of his contract to go, but I

suppose everybody has their maximum that they can take. He has tried

everything. He has coached there for three years. And they're not

listening to what he is doing. lot of the Times, the mistakes they

are making it is not one is that a head coach is responsible for. When

those skills are breaking down, there is not a lot he can do.

comes a point make you believe they are not listening to you say you

cannot do anything else. Let somebody else do it. Last season,

they beat South Africa and then they lose to Tonga - she couldn't

handle it. He is a very proud man and said enough is enough.

unthinkable scenario for Wales is an autumn seasons that is lost,

which means a huge amount of focus on the captain, Sam Warburton.

we set the expectations level too high? Sum said you couldn't win

four games. That is the right way to think. You have to ambitious.

You are going to fall short if you are pessimistic. People criticise

us, but at the same time people thought that was a realistic target

because we did so well beforehand. I would rather be listed as a

favourite. It was 20-30 down. You feel you're being outclassed, but

that wasn't the case against New Zealand. We kept battling. We ended

up scoring two tries which is good that the players never gave up. All

three games I've played, I enjoyed, all the three games in the summer

were difficult. It was exciting as well. Both teams wanted it. And you

have to be quite direct and physical but both teams like to put

way that rugby so it is a. Best chance of victory, considering they

have their injury problems? It is our only chance of victory now! It

is the same for both teams. They have a couple of injuries, so have

we. We are in similar positions. They probably have six weeks off,

so it is one last push from them. Expect a very committed performance

from Australia, they will make it up. Bowcock against Warburton is

one of these fights today. I think George North is going to be a big

loss. I also feel that there has been a lack of confidence and poor

regional form. I feel we have way of playing where it is bash, bash

down the middle, and then we haven't got a plan beat, we don't

have Shane Williams or others, and once they've got beyond the gain-

line, then you can go forward and keep going. Unfortunately, its

stagnant at the moment. Sam said there was a lot of pessimism around.

Does that get inside the squad? With red in the press about priests

do not taking any notice of the media -- Priestland. But your

friends are going to mention it. They are not going to have a

blackout. It is lovely to see Warburton smiling and being a bit

animated because at the beginning he did look a bit down. It looks as

though it was affecting them. are giving interviews. The on

Twitter, giving interviews. shouldn't affect you. The Wales

back line, there are still talented players there. They can still do

damage if they have got, the lines. You mentioned the back line. The

person who has to be integral in that is Priestland. A lot of focus

on him and he is not playing as well as he has done. He doesn't

help himself by saying he has not confident. He said he was staying

in the house of the trip. Do me a favour - toughen up. It is the best

position to play. He has come from the back of a great performance in

the Grand Slam. It is a bit of a roller-coaster, but you are the man

that calls the shots. You have to say, forget everything else and

that -- get on with it. The problem he has got, maybe when he hasn't

been playing well, he hasn't the chance to rest, and he has got bad

form. He has got to get out there and toughen up. You say it is the

best position, Cliff Morgan, Barry John, Phil Bennett, you had to wear

the No. 10 as well. Does the expectation and the level of

pressure that much bigger on any other shirkers years. If you look

at the best player in the world, he pulls the strings. He calls the

right decisions. He has other players helping him. Who is helping

Priestland? You cannot tell me that the likes of Alex Cuthbert are not

there to be used. What he has to do is a little bit more than catch,

receive and distribute. He has got to offer a bit more to get us off

into the game. They are not going forward, so he is now because of

the lack of conference is not playing in their faces when -- like

he was before. That is what lack of Conford and stars. Is he taking

over ball to deep? Air thinks of. - I think so. Also you need

somebody like Halfpenny to come in. If he is not playing well, give him

a kicking option. Tell him, give me the ball, go forward. They tried to

help him. And now he has got to react. He has got to enjoy it. The

man who has got to tell him to have a bit more confidence is the coach,

Warren Gatland. You have had better autumns. How

crucial is it to get the win today never mind the fact you could get

us southern hemisphere scalp? important for conference, for

building into going into the Six Nations. We have got to continue

well of our performance last week. The first half was not good enough

but we can build on the second half. Well. We can build on the second

half and start well. Have you seen a rise in confidence levels after

the team went toe-to-toe with New Zealand? We spoke about that and

mentioned with 73 present position in the second half, not many teams

dominate the All Blacks like that. They are normally pretty grief for

us. It was pretty positive in the second half. Now you off to take

off -- take up the reins with the Lions, would it be good to strike

up a psychological blow? That is important for every player in the

northern hemisphere. We can win today, it would be a huge

Wales and Australia in the summer. Three matches played, three matches

lost. All of them tantalising. The difference was they were

creating stuff. As I said, they were good in the set-piece, but

that is the difference. Australia has a lot of injuries, they were

not playing with confidence, yet, they won the matches. I think that

Wales today, taking confidence, they have to come out and play the

first 20 minutes like they did the last 20 minutes against the All

Blacks and give them the confidence. What is remarkable about Australia

is that they are in a similar position to the Welsh players. The

difference is that the Australian teams in the Super Is a, they were

diabolical, but they managed to play for the national team, rise

above it and perform. Wales have been playing poorly, in the

regionals and not doling doing it for the country.

But Wales have been grasping and nearly there so often, that when

they get into the position, they don't have the belief that

something will come and they will do it. That is strange, having won

three Grand Slams since 2005... Rplgts I meant at a higher stage.

You were eulogizing, especially about the Welsh back division,

saying that the guys don't know how good they are, they could be almost

the best teem in the world if you take the All Blacks from it, so

what has happened? It is confidence. It is wanting to be out there. It

is wanting to take on the public who say you are not performing well.

It is wanting to know what you are capable of doing. We keep looking

at Priestland, but for me it is Roberts, Davis and Cuthbert. They

must have the ball. The samyoians have said that they

have worked them out well. But they have not changed tactic.

It is the one up against three defenders that are smashed. They

have to have a little bit of deception and change the tactic.

The Australians have had a mixed tour. They were in Italy last week

and were beaten by Florence. They were thumped in Paris. Last week

they took an early lead at a try from Nick Cummins in the first half.

In the second half it was all Italy. The Australian back division

allowed Barberi to get through. Then Australia could have lost the

match. We are so used to Australia playing swashbuckling rugby, but

they only have scored 14 tries in the last 14 internationals. Only

two in the last four. They really have been under par for most of

2012. You can't beat us this time, guys.

Forget it David, two months ago, when Robbie

Deans and his Wallabies side came in for harsh criticism. The games

did not impress many. The set up was called toxic.

What about the pressure? You keep going.

It is easy to be distracted by those who distract you and success

and failure, both, can push you, take your eye off what is important.

Sometimes it is easier said than done, but that is what we have to

The form on the European tour saw them hammered by the French,

struggle against the Italians, but a victory at Twickenham is a

welcome boost. As they look to press on to the end of 2012, with

victory in Cardiff. COMMENTATOR: Australia celebrating!

The fiscality we had against England, that was far beyond what

we took into the encounter against France. Trying to find the

consistency in the play. You see patches of it during games. Some

games we play well. The next week we drop off. So it is a reflection

of where the group is it. So it is something that we are working on.

There have been wins for the Welsh in recent memory against the

Aussies, in Grand Slam years in 2005 and again in 2008.

But the two sides faced each other five times last season with

Australia winning every one. In the last 21 matches between the

two, Wales have won two and drawn one.

COMMENTATOR: O'Connor, floating to lucky Turner and Turner scores!

Both teams will be motivated to go out there. We cannot expect

anything less than the Welsh team playing to their full potential and

capability. If we underestimate it could be anything less than that,

we could be going home disappointed. This is our last outing. The blokes

have to sit and ruminate on their performance for some time over the

break before they get a chance to play again. They are very keen to

finish on a good note. Well, Robbie Deans has been

ruminating with out David Pocock, his outstanding flanker. The battle

in the back row, comparing Pocock with Warburton. It tells an

interesting tale. It does for me. We talk about the

breakdown, how important it is. We have to talk about the sevens.

Pocock, Warburton and M cCaw. They are the best three.

Look the -- at the machine that McCaw is.

Even Pocock is doing well, but is McCaw as good as we think he is

(and look at the decline there. It has been one turnover a game. We

seem to think he is doing three or four, that is the belief that we

have watching him play. I think he had a tough start to the

season. A few injuries. I thought last week the second performance he

put up was better. I feel again he looked for work. He carried the

ball. A few decisions went against him to penalise him on the jackal,

but I know what you are saying it is on the back footment It is not

being critical. It what the statistics say. Wales think this is

our leader. He is so underperforming at the moment. They

look the statistics. The whole team I don't think you can compare him

to McCaw. They are a world-class side. Last week's 20 minutes he was

exceptional. Here is someone who knows more

about this than any of us. Four years before Australia got a

good win. They were playing against Australia, in 2008, featuring this

man, Martyn Williams. So, 15 games against the old Tri-Nations and 15

defeats. What is the stumbling block? They are a young group. They

put themselves into positions to win games but have not been able to

get over the line. It is no better a chance today. It is at home. They

have been away the last three times that they played and lost. So maybe

today will be different. And now, there is the man with the

116 caps, how big an influence is that man in Australian rugby?

will give the Australian boys added motivation. It has been a long

season for them, but they will want to finish on a positive note.

It would be remiss not to mention David Pocock is back for Australia

at number seven. Your old jersey, how big a lift is that for

Australia, bearing in mind that they looked tired against Italy?

Michael Hooper has been outstanding in his place, but with David Pocock

back, it gives them energy. It does not get easier for the Welsh boys,

but hopefully Sam Warburton will back up his performance and it will

be a good battle. So, how is the game going to go,

Jerry? Wales have to bring in Roberts and Cuthbert into the game

by getting over the game line. That would make Priestland come into the

game. Get on the front foot, but they can't just come in at 6ft 4

and 16 stone and expect to roll over the Australians. David Pocock

will love it. When the big guys come in, they have to move off each

foot and do the footwork to get them off balance. So the key is for

the big guys to get involved in the game and get over the gameline.

The Australian scrum, against France it was the first time they

encountered the new laws. Against England they put that right. That

could be the key today. I think Nathan Sharpe's last game is a huge

motivating factor. Wayne Barnes and Drew Mitchell all have experience,

but if Wales start well, this is key. If they don't, I think

Australia, but I do have to say, I think Australia today, will start

as the favourites. And bold as Wales were last week,

if they get the penalty opportunities, to take them? Yes.

Kick everything that is on offer. You don't score many points against

the Southern Hemisphere sides. Both sides, though, they on average have

conceded more than 20 points. So hopefully a great game. Australia

will try to play it loose, but when nothing is happening they may swap

and then things start to happen. They like to put the ball through

their hands and they are very good at it.

So, Nathan Sharpe his final game of rugby football and a very big game

for him at the end of a long, long season. So, Nathan Sharpe is to

lead out the Australian team to win his 116th cap. The same number as

Richie McCaw. Leading out the All Blacks at Twickenham today. The

only players in international rugby to have played more than Nathan

Sharpe are fabian from France and Ryan owe dris kal, and Ronan O'Gara,

126 appearances. -- O' Driscoll.

This is a big, big day, though, for Nathan Sharpe. Also for the

Australian players. Many of them are younger than him, but they are

a hero to them. They will want to go out on a high

note. It is also, to mention a last appearance, that we will see for

the goat major here at the Millennium Stadium. Sergeant David

Joseph, BEM has been leading out the goats at the Millennium Stadium

and in days before, since 1977. He has been doing it, 35 years. 35

years much leading out the goat at the start of international matches

here it is not often I have a conversation with a goat major, but

I was having one with him today, he said that the proudest moment here

was a decade ago, the Australian were warming up on the wrong part

of the field, in line of fire of his goat and he marched through the

middle of them with the goat but theing them out of the way! Well,

he and his goat, Shenkin III will be leading the Welsh side out in a

minute or so for the very last time. Here come the Welsh... There is the

goat. And there is Sergeant David Joseph

and Sam Warburton to the flames around the Millennium Stadium. Just

one more time this autumn. We are back in ten weeks' time for

the Six Nations championship. Sam Warburton is under scrutiny, but

obviously so are the team. Wales have lost six in a row, but Leigh

Halfpenny has lost 15 matchs in a row for country. As the fireworks

go off behind me, Leigh Halfpenny has not been on a winning side for

259 days. It is fair to say that Wales cannot afford a sefpb --

seventh loss today. Lou Reid is on the side today.

The entire nation is hoping for a perfect day. So, an early Christmas

present for you on December the 1st, it is Eddie Butler and Brian Moore

for you in the commentary box. After that the National Anthems.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM. Our home is girt by sea; Our land

abounds in nature's gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history's page,

let every stage Advance Australia # Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl

i mi. # Gwlad beirdd a chantorion,

enwogion o fri. # Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr

tra mad. # Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.

# Gwlad, gwlad. # Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.

# Tra mor yn fur i'r bur hoff bau. The Dutton and from the Millennium

Stadium. The last match of the Australian tour. The last chance

for Wales to extract something from the autumn series. David Pocock is

back for Australia, Rhys Priestland is still in the driving seat for

Wales. Up front, Wales make a change in the second row. Warburton

captain has against Pocock in direct opposition at seven. How

many these Lions need to in -- game of rugby, one of the great

competitors. Behind the scrum, Nick Cummins is one of the finds of the

year. On the bench, 20 years old yesterday, Samson Lee, one to watch

for the future, he has massive promise. Today's reverie from

England, Wayne Barnes. Just over the border. The end of

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international rugby in Cardiff at Australia have it. Charteris

afternoon, Brian Moore. Good afternoon. Cuthbert -- Charteris is

down there. It was a good tackle. It is a question... Oh, his head

was wrong side. Head to shoulder. Straight down. The technique,

simply shoulder to the side. That's all it is. This is a penalty

offence, given for not releasing. Well, he is on his feet, isn't he?

Three minutes of play without a stop. Wales will be fed up of

seeing their key forwards down, should have let Berrick Barnes take

it. Charteris heading for the out. You can't see it from there.

He didn't seem to go flat had straight away, so they will have

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Priestland, putting spent on it. -- didn't know that the referee is

going to be hot on that particular area, they have had two warnings

released straight away. And there is a case for a penalty there. Much

more than the first one. Australia taking a kick to touch. Whilst

Wales have defended well, they haven't had the ball at all in

Australian territory. Tatafu Polota Nau. He is taking the throw in.

Wales to have the penalty. Kurtley Beale is the transgressor.

Australia have been competent but no more in lots of their games

recently. They are still direct for this doesn't function, we will have

a return. Immediately, Jones heads for the tunnel, and Charteris is

back. If the ball comes off Thomas, the ambition is Rhys Priestland

because although he is having a bit of a low patch, he needs help from

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not do Priestland's confidence any good. Saying that, it was a simple

case of Miss tackling. That was a very simple to on one, should be

put away. -- two on one. No excuse for missing that. You can't go

higher like that. Only they will know his manner that was, Roberts

or Priestland. Nothing will work in a defensive plan if you missed

tackles like that. I think we are lucky we are not pointing the

camera at Shaun Edwards, it would be steaming up. That is all about

technique, not heart or anything in the middle, which will be

interesting. Australia seemed to have the advantage, but they had an

early engagement. That is one of the Lawes which goes a long way,

stop pushing people Erlich -- stop people pushing early and you have

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I saw his face. His knee was being flicked back. Martyn Williams.

huge sigh of relief on the Welsh bench because Charteris has been

able to get on. That would have been disastrous for them. It is

good to see him back. The Aussies have started well, a lot of

variation, a lot of width on the ball. Wales need to keep hold of

the ball, go through the phases and about that.

I ne that play safety is paramount, but Wales have turned the ball over

it. They are now defending a scrum. I confidently predict will not be

easy. Well, that is a penalty.

It is against Scott Andrews. I was looking at the other tight

head. You understand that, he just

changed his body shape. Is that possible? In a tri? He is a form-

shifter! That being said, this is not good for Wales. Wales have not

been in the Australian half apart from Jason's ball in the air. They

have had little ball at all. They need to drop the catcher

straight away here. Five metres out from the Welsh goal

line. It is Higginbotham the target again.

possession. Support from Pocock. Nick Phipps has gone in for it.

Jamie Roberts does well to hold up Drew Mitchell.

As defensive operations go, that was very well done.

They managed to fracture the Australian driver.

Whoever it was did a great job. It made Australia move out. Then Jamie

Roberts was keeping the ball off the ground.

Australia are a competent side, even if not spectacular. They will

make Wales play, but that is a Wayne Barnes on the inside. That

will get the crowd going, the players going. That is Wales back

in form! A brave piece of play. Cuthbert showing his speed.

As a winger... He has done the hard work. Outpacing someone. He cannot

drift into touch there. At the least Australia are tracking back.

If they comes inside all of the options are open. He had to look

for his support there. A great ambition. A great speed.

A bit of naivety in the end. That ball must be kept alive. Australia

Australian players would have been out of defensive shape. Penalties,

et cetera. This is Lou Reed.

That was fairly confident, to do that brave run. The great thing is

that it was rewarded. It worked.

It is Higginbotham who wins. The number eight's first carry of

the game. Beale, then through to Leigh

side, but now Wales are back into the more open spaces.

A penalty against Matthew Rees. Wales keeping the ball for the

first real passage of play that they have had to put together.

Leaving the penalty aside there, they had come back. There is going

to be, if it continues, a significant defect in the

Australian defence. In the middle they had two, three and five. If

Wales come free ball and have either Jamie Roberts or Jonathan

Davies, they are going to be confidence.

Kurtley Beale who missed with the I was asked Earl eyeer why Kurtley

Beale was kicking goals, that is probably the reason.

-- earlier. Wayne Barnes.

That leg looks OK for kicking. penalty against Nick Cummins for

would have had second-hand reports about what Wales do with long

penalties? On a wider point, Eddie, this is a common problem.

Wales have not had a lot of ball in the first, nearly up to 20 minutes.

When they are given the opportunity to counterattack from long kicks,

you have to bear in mind that there is a territorial game to play with

a long kick-back, but if you kick the ball away, you don't have

possession of it nor can you get momentum. So there is a fine line

between the need for territory and the need for ball. At the moment

they have to keep the ball in hand. If you were watching Wales last

week, this is a possibly reassuring sight, Leigh Halfpenny going for

miles better! 3-3. Right from the moment it left the

boot of the it certainly was not going to be short.

from Drew Mitchell. There is an advantage being played.

To demonstrate the point I was making about possession starts, 32%

It starts here. What is the point of doing a front

peel? Because he will get a penalty! That said, that is a

scoring move. Matthew Rees is to throw in to the

line-up. Wales put in four players. Aaron

Shingler. In the hands now of Toby Faletau. Into the Australian 22.

A slight delay for Mike Phillips. Gethin Jenkins retored to the

starting line h up. -- line-up.

Pocock. He is tremendous. Knows the laws. The first man in and strong

Mike Phillips. Gethin Jenkins now.

Priestland is under pressure from Pocock.

Jonathan Davies is in pursuit. Liam Williams is there.

They were trying to get three out the breakdown.

Well, Wales are impressive in the choice of the way to attack.

Exploiting the pace of the line speed of the Australians behind it

worked well. It was unfortunate that the body was turned there. He

could see the players on the right. He could not get the attention to

make the pass. He had to come back this way.

That is number seven play. It is most brilliant in the steel before

that. That is number seven play at its more cynical side. That Pocock

knew he could not win the ball, so he went off the feet to stop Wales

from winning it. It is a difficult game to play and referee.

He knew what he was doing. He is not in the red zone so will

not get a yellow card. He is being streetwise.

It should have resulted in Wales the lead. They are a change to side

after that Cuthbert breakout. good thing is they are not facing

an Australian side resplendent with three wonderful attacking players

of the past. Australia are competent but simple. It was a

knock-on, just as well. Martin. more the game breaks up, we see

Pocock, we are going to have to be careful with him. He has one great

steel, one penalty given away, but they are going to have to be

clinical because he is a threat. Injured his knee back in August,

then his calf after that, so he hasn't played since the summer.

This is Shingler who spent most of the match against the New Zealand

guys in the second row and had a good game. When you look at the

number of phases put together by Australia, they have done that well,

they are confident and competent, however you not seen when the ball

has gone wide, you have not seen a lot of angles. It is just hitting

straight up and if Wales can keep their discipline with the numbers

and making tackles on the gain-line, Australia don't pose the sort of

threat they used to. Wales need to trust their defence, not make the

extra grab with their hand and not take the extra yard. Australia have

had to up their tally count up What -- as Wales have come back into the

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doesn't get to it. Was there a They are going to see whether or

not there was an obstruction. No, Australian hand first. We are very

nothing illegal about that challenge.

What do you think about the decision? You can't criticise it.

REFEREE: Decision? It is a 22. Thank you. It was a beautiful mind,

though, wasn't it? Toby was involved. You know the Lawes, you

know you are not supposed to be there, there is a remedy, make sure

Lawes. Not good enough. When Halfpenny took that line, the Welsh

scrum deserves credit because they wield the Australian back row down

to the touchline so there is no cover. They have much further to go.

Kurtley Beale, blasting it over from halfway, from the same spot as

tremendous display of goal-kicking. Two penalties apiece. Three of them

have been a very long. Upshot minus six apiece. On the balance of play,

with Wales having possession, it is about right. There was a knock-on

from the restart. Wales will have the put-in. And Tatafu Polota Nau

is injured. You tell me whether the hooker was going to be the receiver

or was again to be the dummy or block? The hooker would not be by

tradition the most traditional -- popular receiver. So it was

probably a block. Let's hope he hasn't perused... Look at the line.

Cutting back in. The supporting player, Toby Faletau on the right.

Now, was he taken out? Let's have a look. I don't think so. There is

Leigh Halfpenny. He is part of the But you also have to praise the

work done by Kurtley Beale. He did a good job there because from an

Australian point of view... He stayed with the man. If you look at

it percentage wise, that is the one least effective buoy. It is

encouraging from the Welsh point of view they are getting the men and

giving him ball. Because it is a mark, Wales will have the throw-in.

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equation although it is Robinson had a -- who has been congratulated

to get worse and worse for referees. Whether the manners on his feet,

whether he can sustain his weight. It was the wriggle by Williams that

took him into danger. Yes. Wales have got to get more players their

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 113 seconds

play it whilst he was on his feet. It is out there. Play that while

you're on your feet, you're OK. Fine margins, warrant they?

Completely. All these ones, it depends sometimes on which coloured

jersey you're supporting. As we know, experiments have proved that

two people can see the same thing and interpreted in a completely

different way, completely honestly. the two McQuay has taken. It looks

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 113 seconds

the touch judge. No hands, I think. I think he is going to say no hands.

He has heard himself as well. -- REFEREE: Penalty only.

It wasn't one of the worst we've seen, but they are you off. He

hurts himself in the process and it serves him right, frankly. It is

the season to be charitable... Humbug! There is a lot of these

things that go on. Players say I was trying to make a tackle when

they are not. They are trying to shoulder charge. His left arm was

nearly involved. As in approximate to his body? Anyway, Welsh line-out.

and the breakdown it doesn't come back immediately and they are

vulnerable to. Australia against England cause a lot of trouble by

getting more men in. As I said, Wales have got to get their numbers

some inventiveness. Again from Alex Cuthbert.

He stayed in field. If Wales keep their confidence. Keep the ball in

hand. Get more men to the break down, win the ball and... We will

see who scores. At the moment the Welsh back line

looks the more inventive. Good pressure from Luke Charteris.

Nathan Sharpe, the captain goes in game going.

Leigh Halfpenny does well. Talking about the balance aren't we,

about which decisions to make to run and kick? That was a poor kick.

That could have been kept in hand. It was not long for Wayne Barnes.

It dipped. It went straight to him. He had no

Australian chase. He had time to go. You have to say as well from

Australia, not very ambitious, from a side who have played really well.

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captain, Sam Warburton. There are too many penalties in this area.

You take about Jamie Roberts, but again, you could make a case for

either side there. What I would say, though, Eddie...

Martyn? This is such a grey area. For me, Australia have being

smarter. They don't attack every break down, they pick and choose.

Wales have a little bit of ill- discipline which has let them down,

but there is no need to panic. Australia have not offered much in

attacking. If Wales keep their discipline, they will be here to

the end. They don't look like they've been

breached, really, Wales, have they? A successful penalty for Kurtley

Beale. Australia take the lead. It is as a result of Wales and their

indefence that they find themselves behind. Only by three points.

But the minutes are running out in this first half.

Eddie, Wales have to trust themselves, not go that little bit

beyond. territorial advantage, that was a

bit of a taty play which has suddenly gone better for Wales.

That was taken back in. Wales will have an attacking line all the way

down. That is dull from the Australian

point of view. Everyone knows the law. You take it back in.

This is the sort of little bit of luck where Wales need to take full

advantage of it. Well, Priestland with the kick, the

chase and the tackle. Australia are under pressure today.

Your impression, Brian? Well, he has been more positive. I would

like to think it is because he has been given better options.

When he plays well, when others help him, they have created chances.

Now they need to take them. Before half-time, now is the perfect time.

The charts are beginning to favour Wales. Considering that they did

not have anything in their favour for ten minutes, it means that they

have dominated the later stages of the first half.

But they are behind on the scoreboard. Be careful, that is

good work by Ben Robinson. It is the ball on the floor that is

costing Wales. The crowd don't like it, but they

properly. It was taken forward before it was at the back and

sealed off. That is why when the drive came around the corner, men

were on the floor and could not get up in sufficient numbers to take

the ball off the floor. Kane Douglas with the catch.

You tell me if that is not away from the ball.

Well, it works both ways. The sides say that they want

consistency, whether or not you agree with the referee, Wayne

Barnes, he has been hot in that area. Both sides were given an

example in the morning. If they REFEREE: He has to get out of the

way. Well, Mike Phillips deSerbs credit

there. To get the ball in quickly, so that they have time for the

line-out. That would not have happened before,

so big plus points to Mike Phillips that marginally, Warren Gatland

would be happier. His side have been more creative when they have

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 113 seconds

has on this occasion. Well, an interesting first half.

Where would you put your money on this game at the moment? It is

anybody's guess. So many key decisions made at the

breakdown. Too many penalties, the game has been a bit stop-start.

There has been a good chance for Wales with Alex Cuthbert being

pushed out of play. Beale and Leigh Halfpenny with good chances.

But, Beale missed two, Leigh Halfpenny missed one. Thats with a

fantastic opportunity for Wales, but Tatafu Polota Nau must have run

60 metres to stop that. The Australians have the narrowest

of advantages. There has been no other chance for

Australia. Wales have had more chances, but we need someone to get

over the white line. So, in the first ten minutes, you

thought this could ablong afternoon for Wales, but generally they

worked their way back into the match. How encouraged are you with

that first half? Well, it looked well. The writing looked to be on

the wall for a Australian dominant game, but Wales have held

themselves. They have gone outside of Jamie

Roberts, they have bought in Leigh Halfpenny into the game. They have

been looking dangerous, but we have not been able to finish off and

score a try. Leigh Halfpenny has missed a

penalty there, but he has been immense? Yes, he has been

outstanding. The ball in hand. Highballs. Hopefully we can finish

off with a few back line moves and go no-one and win again. In the

first ten minutes, I thought, what are they going to do here? You said

that they would win, why so positive? The think that the Wales'

game plan is it keep the ball in the pack. If we can finish with one

or two of the moves, Australia have been a little bit smarter, but if

we can complete this now we will be fine.

Well, too many penalties, but you can't blame the referee if the

penalties are conceded. I mean, 18 penalties, that has made

it a staca tto game. Wales have come into it in the

second half of the game. It is very much even Stevens, which

is reflected in the scoreboard. I think that Wales have not

conceded ten penalties in one half, where they conceded 11 last week, I

wonder if they should be looking at the referee. We know from Aviva

Premiership, that he gave gives 48% of penalties in the breakdown, but

as much as Wales missed the tackles last week, it was 17 against New

Zealand. They have given away penalties. So they are making lots

of opportunities. They are getting across the game line. They are

looking support and giving away penalties. The tackling has been a

problem, but I feel that Barnes has got it right. What is happening is

that they have not played the referee well. You can statistics,

you can have statistics, read as many as you want into it. The main

thing is that both sides have come to play and Wales have been the

better side, but the problem is yes, they have looked dangerous, yes,

they have created opportunities, but the whole point about

international rugby is analysing it, seeing it, then being clinical and

scoring from it. Wales have had new chances to be two tries in front at

the half-time. They have not done it. It would have been so much

better, but they can't see the opportunity in front of them to

finish them. Australia had a good opportunity

the first time? There was defensive work here.

Look, Wales are in front. They should anybody that line. Adam

Ashley-Cooper see it is and takes him on, but they get to him and

fall off the tackle. What he is trying to do here, he panics a

little. That is unusual. Then he throws a forward pass. That was one

opportunity blown. I think there was a move called. That is why the

support did not get to him. It was a pass to Adam Ashley-Cooper, he

then decided to take contact and could not believe he would run

through Priestland and Roberts so easily.

On the defensive line, they showed the gap. He fell off the tackle.

A brave move by Priestland to run the ball from his goal line, but in

the end, he missed an opportunity? Yes, he steps up. Once he makes a

decision to come in. It is on. No matter where you are. He comes in,

bank, thank you very much. Jamie Roberts does well. Shows the gas.

He stops here, does he look for the inside support or take the full-

back on? He has the kick here. is showing, forget Cuthbert, but he

is still young. He reminds me of Ashton against Australia a kounle

of seasons ago, but Cuthbert did not think smartly. That is the most

embarrassing thing to go into touch. There has been a lot of talk about

Halfpenny. He is a winger. Watch this. Ball comes out. Dummy run,

Warburton. That it is Richie Rees, second row. He has got to take him

on. He has three men. He doesn't even look at, he passes, and it is

buoy it showed. We saw last week the best exponents of this. Catch,

draw a defender. Williams has passed without drawing anybody.

There we see a better example of Halfpenny. The Australian defence,

I am not sure what is going on. It is a simple miss run. And then all

this sudden, Halfpenny, he should be offering himself all the time.

He chooses to kick. And then they were very unlucky not to score the

try. Fantastic work by Toby Faletau. Fantastic word. If he offers

himself, the opportunity is there. On the other side, he created an

overlap. We saw another example on the far side when they put Cuthbert

away. But if Halfpenny hits on the shoulder of the centre, he was 10

yards away, it gave the opportunity pulled defender to drift. If he

comes right on his shoulder, you'll be saying, get on my shoulder now,

what are you doing out there? was a great example from the

training manual. He could have downed tools, Wycliff Palu, but he

kept running. He came back, the ball came his way and he saved the

point. We talked about the refereeing decisions. Wayne Barnes

is making the right caused because the players are putting themselves

in the wrong positions. Well, you've got to do it. The referee is

saying, stay on your feet. Somebody as strict as Wayne Barnes is going

to penalise you. The Welsh have got over the ball. It looked more to

holding on rather than off your feet. But he is the best in the

world. That split second allows Pocock to come in. Absolutely. When

you see him, forget about the ball. Clear off Pocock. That is

calculated as off your feet. He is rightly penalised. It is like in

basketball when somebody is coming into contact situation, is the guy

in possession or the man defending? How marginal of these calls that

the referee is making? Very marginal. This is clear cut. The

supporting number five, he isolates the ball-carrier, the prop is over.

That is a penalty. The good play was by the Australian prop. He puts

his hands up, he cleared Charteris out. No support, he is on the floor,

isolated, penalty. You talk about the prop, the Australian prop, we

haven't had many scrums. The Australian front row is fine. They

are almost loose forwards. That is why it has been an open game.

will be back in Cardiff and then we will go to Rome, and then we will

go to Dublin, then Edinburgh, then Twickenham, because in nine weeks'

To lighten up even the darkest days of February or March. See the best

moments of the other matches tonight at 7pm. One other thing,

the American football match between the New York Giants and the

Washington Redskins is live on the iPlayer Monday night. We are

waiting for the players to come back on the field. Here come the

Welsh and the Australians. What happens now? Wales have got to do

the same, to try to manage the breakdown better. They are worried

about their ball-carrying centres, which is allowing Halfpenny to hit

the hold. If he hits it, Wales will win the game. Keep on going and be

more clinical. Less penalties at the breakdown which will give them

more momentum, more possession and they should win. I think there are

a couple of substitutions made. So, Nathan Sharpe, his last 40 minutes

of international rugby, after 116 appearances for Australia. Will it

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 113 seconds

be a winning finale? Let's go back didn't kick the advantage, but the

difference between the advantage they give to penalties and knock-

ons, if you get the ball back from the knock-on, you can play freely,

then that is enough. Wales lose their own ball, except they don't

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in there. Scott Andrews has left the ball behind. Wales surrendered

possession and Australia, if they it needed was to remain in play.

Mitchell was well beyond everyone else. Even the covering players.

Jones carried the ball well several times. Nathan Sharpe had a Welsh

grandparent, I am told. Another one slipped away... We are in credit

one-handed pick-up. Great play by right thing, keeping their heads up,

assessing what to do if the kick was all right, but it was undone by

set piece that is going wrong. Scrums have been good. Line-outs

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hooker. I don't know why he doesn't hair out of his head. He has made a

criticism quite rightly that the backs are nowhere near the force

they used to be. When you're used to trying a goal like that... It

doesn't say a lot. -- when you are He got it back to Beale. Gethin

Jenkins is hunting him down. Cummins.

Well, Digby Ioane, you know what you will get from him. A

devastating runner on the foot front.

It is another scrappy line out. In the end, Lou Reid does well.

Mike Phillips is in a spot of First touch, Digby Ioane.

Good play between Barnes and Digby Ioane.

It is in the hands of Stephen Moore who has certainly made an

Mike Phillips did well and read the situation. A good angle from Eliza

Doolittle and tackle by Leigh Halfpenny.

Australia, though, looking dangerous. -- a good angle from

Digby Ioane and tackle by Leigh Halfpenny.

A scrappy ball. Australia again. Now we have Michael Hooper warming

up.$$NEWLINE Keep an eye out for this guy if he gets on. This guy is

dynamic with the ball in hand. As the game is breaking up, it is

getting scrappy, this will suit him down to the ground.

He has not played for a while? he is such a fit player, Pocock, I

would be amazed if they pull him off, but Dennis has just come on.

It will be interesting. The Welsh line-up without Luke

Charteris is really, really struggling. It is a little bit

messy at the moment. Michael Hooper is coming on for

Kane Douglas. Dennis will go up to the second row, but Wales are

struggling here. Aaron Shingler wins the ball this time. It is a

change of tactic, it has worked for Jonathan Davies. Pocock got back to

the ball. Roberts in pursuit. It has gone

forward. REFEREE: First one knock-on. It is

a scrum ball. It is a knock-on. Jamie Roberts

stays down. Well the introduction of Michael

Hooper could well work in Wales' favour. It is not just a question

of a second row going off, it puts a lot of pressure on the two

jumpers, people who are not used to lifting in certain areas. So Wales

should have a freer run at their today from Rhys Priestland.

Taking advantage of Australia's line speed.

Presumably, the Australian that picked the ball up was off-side.

Well we have a scrum. The game's been very stop-start

since the beginning of this half. I have a feeling if one side can put

together five, six, seven minutes of coherent play with momentum, it

could be the deciding point in the game.

It could be very fine margins. You can see from there, it is a

fiscal game. Hugely fiscal. Good attacking scrum for Wales.

Smack in the middle of the field. 40 metres out.

This is Mike Phillips into midfield. That's another thing, thinking we

have not had many scrums, we can afford to get rid of a second row,

maybe not. A big difference in weight. Wales, if that was a

purpose of one, it was a good call and well executed.

It is a fine balance. You start loading the back row with fliers.

There is David Pocock there, there is Michael Hooper. It means another

back row with Dave Dennis. He is not the heavyweight second row.

This game starts and finishes about the amount of ball and the quality

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the Australian back line is that Jamie Roberts's arm is heavily

strapped up. Just run at the left arm. Simple as that, so you know

out to in defence works. Yep. Fine margins.

It will be interesting to see if Wales, with problems at the line-

out, I bet this one doesn't go dead. Wait for the roar.

A tinge of irony to it. But he has found touch. Now where

to Wales throw, Toby Faletau maybe? Not just that, you could get the

four stepping back to five getting boosted. We have Pocock there and

Michael Hooper. They are used to lifting.

They are going to play safe. They have gone short and lost

another one. Pocock comes away with it.

You have to have the confidence to throw longer there.

He didn't. Ben Tapuai now down to Leigh

looked up, knew he was not going to get the ball, and then looked at

the player and went into him. Probably just as well that Wayne

Barnes tried to make a quick one. So, some treatment needed there.

Priestland, it has to go in, it does. He couldn't find touch last

week, now he is! Last week is over. It doesn't matter. Last week is

immaterial. It is just a swing in his personal

fortunes. For a winger, if Drew Mitchell

starts out the line and takes that, he steps inside five yards, he is

always going to award a touch. That is poor, technically.

You have a choice of where he stands. He chooses to stand in an

area that puts him under pressure. Stand inside, no problem at all.

Now a change on the Australian side. Ofcoms Ben Tapuai and on comes Mike

Harris. Good strength by Cuthbert, but he

is on his own. We are going back to the original penalty. A chance for

Wales to take the lead. The reason Wales did not get a

chance to play on, was going to be a penalty against the winger as he

was isolated. REFEREE: You're on the wrong side

the ball. Sam Warburton is the current

captain, Nathan Sharpe, the captain on the floor there for Australia.

You are supposed to be allowed to do that. You used to be allowed to

do it severely and then you would get out of the way. It was easier

and quicker and the ball came freer. lead. 12-9.

Wales need Priestland and others to keep the faith in terms of their

ambition around the field. Not to withdraw. It is a tight game. Play

it territoryally. Make sure that they make the right decisions, when

to kick, when to run, but keep the ambition.

You are right. There is a good scrummage, but the line-out is

struggling. Aaron Shingler goes up. Over to Gethin Jenkins in pursuit.

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Out for Australia. Here is Michael Now they can put pressure on

Australia. Australia have cut the line-out because of missing her

jumper. Chain job prop for the Australians. James Slipper comes on

for Benn Robinson. There goes one of the big operators of the

breakdown. Well, Robinson, he has He was aware the penalty has

Phillips. The kicking coach has said to him, this is a great new

kit, the banana bend the kick. This is the 5th attempt, and only one

has ever worked. It looks good. Charteris, this has not gone well.

Again... All over the place. Frankly, that is awful. Made worse

by the fact that line-outs are skills that you can practise to

make sure you can get them right. It is a road to skill. -- a road

down. Some good interchanges, but at the end of the day... From the

Australian point of view, you have looked at the line-outs and thought,

we have a reasonable chance of getting it back when we put it out.

The better option for Australia is to step inside, keep the momentum

going. The Welsh have been turned. Wales have nor more forward height

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player, he is a good player as well -- he is a brave player as well.

All he can be expected to do is take the ball, which she does, it

pays, fully committed, does not shirk it. Everyone else has got to

effective, he was the first man there but he did not get his chest

under the Australians. The breakdown practice that people do,

the aim is to get to just under his chest because the momentum is there.

-- to get your chest under his chest. Toby Faletau goes off. This

leaves Wales with line-out problems. Justin Tipuric comes on. England

versus New Zealand, highlights tonight, BBC Three 7pm. Martin.

think both sides line-outs are in shambles. And now we have got four

open sides on the field. It is interesting, the line-outs. We

expect to see a lot from both. The contact, it will be a battlefield.

I think the Wales defence have been outstanding, and Australia put them

under pressure. They have scrambled well. They have caused a lot of

penalties as well. Keep an eye out on the line-out. It is like being

back in the 1986 and it is not that bad! -- it is like being back in

own right, Wales have used him before, but there is a catalogue of

second rose out injured. Look charterers has gone off today. --

Luke Charteris. Leigh Halfpenny is a very good brave player. Key is

talented. He is committed to the cause. Kepu is on for Australia.

This is Harris. His first shot at in the summer tour. This to bring

front. It is not against Australia at all. I think in rugby Union...

As a general point, the time allowed for penalties is too long.

It should be cut down, it should be on the Australia runner. You're in

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trouble if you don't stand up to space dump on the left wing. --

down. That is what you need. Well done, Phillips. He had a bit of

luck from the bounds. But now we have another line-out. Mitchell,

the curse of the rugby ball. all their possession, with

Australia today, they have not looked particularly threatening at

along, the player needs to be there quicker. It is slow, the ball. Very,

That is within penalty range. But Wales on several occasion have not

challenged for the ball in the line-out. They need to get their

jumpers up, watch their feet and This is Stephen Moore, on at half-

time. Four in the line-out. A team at the tail is Kepu, the prop. He

raised his Nathan Sharpe into the internationals. Three of them

against Australia. They will be absolutely desperate, all of them,

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to kick the ball away when you were deep in the opponent's territory.

If you are going to do that, you've got to have hyped on it so you can

get under it, or it has got to be short enough for you to challenge.

yourselves room, captain. No reason for Wales not to back

peg towards Halfpenny. He keeps it It puts Wales in an area where if

they give penalties away, they are in a good kicking distance.

Another one picked off. Wales turn it back their way.

David Pocock was acting scrum-half, that is not as quick.

Now Jonathan Davies takes on Adam vulnerable under the highball?

suppose it is territory that they are thinking off.

They have gained 20 yards and lost the ball.

Get up, footballer, get up! He is up and Wales have possession.

demfrl defence all of the game. Whatever possession they have,

unless they are really under pressure, I would just like them to

keep the ball. Five minutes left.

Australia and Wales, the percentages there, it looks even.

It is a difficult balance. We appreciate why Wales will want to

keep out of goal-kicking territory. Do they have the faith now, the

faith to see this through? Well, five-and-a-half minutes to go.

Answer the question, you are Welsh! I don't know, Brian.

Get off the fence! I think they have given up on winning this game

with a try. Which is not an answer. A good Australian scrum.

That is a shocking move from Australia! Kurtley Beale and Jamie

Roberts with the tackle. He switched twice back into the

held up. No ground made up so far by Australia. They are in

possession. Again, Jamie Roberts leads the charge on David Pocock.

This is Michael Hooper wriggling forward.

Some great wrestling going on there. There is nothing happening.

There is Justin Tipuric. Solve this one? That is the first

lift. That is the second lift. There is another one coming in a

minute. There we go. Well you can be guilty of a

dangerous tackle off the ball. has he missed it? This time it

works. Wales get the throw-in, five metres out. Oh, he love it is.

Whatever happens here if Wales can secure possession... They must not

leave without at least some form of an attempt to have a drop-ball

penalty or something. Be patient. Retain the ball.

Even if around the corner. That's the first bit.

The easier bit. Now to keep it in field.

They twist it back from the danger area, the touchline. It should be

their's, though it is not. Gold bodies are in the way. Still,

with less than three minutes to go on the clock. To be in this corner

is good. Wales need to step out of this. It

is a scrum only. Don't give a penalty away, it will kick you back.

Look at this it is not even proper fighting. Look at it, push, push,

shove. Handbags! Pointless. Wayne Barnes explaining that the

man on the ball to go down. It is not a ruck. You are allowed to keep

hold of it. That is why it was turned over.

This is a big strum. but they are a long way from the

finishing off games against Australia. They have a lead of

three points, but Australia are in possession.

Derek Barnes is clean through. It is a great tackle by Leigh

Halfpenny. The ball is out. Wales swoop on it. Is this the moment for

them to finally put a game to bed? That's a good kick by Rhys

Priestland, but back goes Digby Ioane.

Priestland with a follow-up tackle. Justin Tipuric with a follow-up

tackle. Auerbach in their own half. Less

than a minute to go on the regular clock.

Wycliff Palu... Don't play the ball on the floor. It is not necessary.

Kurtley Beale. Wales have done it again. When the game was there to

be won, they have handed it back to Australia.

Well, the crowd are devastated. Kurtley Beale is delighted. The

Australians are delirious. I am dejected on behalf of the

Welsh. They have done everything. You have to and that to the

Australians. They kept going. They kept faith.

They have been tenacious. They do deserve a lot of credit for

that. Is it a forward pass we will see? It is not clear enough from

that angle to demure from the referee's decision and the

denoument is disastrous for Wales, but you go back to a line-out that

was not driven properly. Five metres from the Australian

line. That was the theme that set that up.

I'm afraid Wales are the problem for their own misfortune.

You have to give the Australians credit for that.

Yep, Australia do not give up. They have don it again against Wales. It

was quite some overlap. One pass. They were well in the clear.

Dave Dennis to Kurtley Beale. The game is done and dusted. What

is more, we have Leigh Halfpenny, I think, down there, injured.

It doesn't look good, either. I hope that nothing is serious.

If you look it is game over. Wales have lost.

REFEREE: Stop the watch. We have an injury.

Looking back through the game. The number of time Wales gave away

momentum by not being able to get their own ball.

And let's pay tribute to a magnificent servant to the game, a

manage nationalist player. A hard man, but the right spirit always,

Nathan Sharpe. He tried to retire twice. The third time, that is

enough. That does not look good at all,

does it? I'm not sure it may have been in the tackle.

It looks like a neck injury. Here we go.

Does he get his head on the wrong side? No, he doesn't. He put his

body on the line. We are looking at the line-out

statistics here. Australia are down with no line-out losses. I'm not

sure if that is entirely right, but Wales are down with six out of 17

lost balls. And some of their ball that they

did win was not good quality either. If you are looking for reasons for

this loss, I'm afraid that is a chief one.

That's in defence. I understand that can happen.

It's the story of an autumn series gone wrong for Rhys Priestland and

Wales. Alex Cuthbert is shaking his head. Behind the posts, waiting for

the conversion. What is worse is that Leigh Halfpenny is injured.

On a wider perspective as well. I am sure that the rest of the non-

top four-tier nations will not be happy with Wales descending to

ninth. If they go to that level it puts them in a group, England,

Ireland, Samoa, Argentina, one of them is going to get Wales in the

third-tier group. That is not good either.

There is something about the pool announcement it is a long time

before the World Cup. The reason is for the necessity to

plan travel arrangements, the camps. I don't know, but that is what I

have been told. It sounds like the tail wagging the

dog. The information comes from the

coaches and the unions as they say that they want that time to prepare.

So, who knows? Well it could not be a more static end.

I was just going to say. It has been a horrible end to a

competitive Test Match, but not the most exciting in terms of breaks or

tries, obviously. Yes, difficult times for Sam

Warburton. He went into November and this

match in December as the favourite for the Lions captaincy, but nobody

on the Welsh side will have advanced his cause with four

defeats. Have you thought about your Man of

the Match? I did, I had made the decision before the Australian try.

I will not change it because of the result. It is not a sympathy vote

either, but I was always going to award it to the man, who,

unfortunately, has been taken off on a stretcher, Leigh Halfpenny. He

has had a fantastic game today. He has been brave. The lines have been

good. The kicking has been good. The highball. It is a shame he is

ending in this way. Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins, the

old lads. What do you do when a four-match streak in the autumn is

added to a three-match losing streak on tour? Seven matches.

You have to work harder. Lou Reid who responded to the call.

Mike Phillips playing rugby in France. It opens up questions about

is this a reflection of the true state of Welsh rugby? I think that

Mike Phillips played well today. His kicking has been good today.

I'm afraid it is just an awful anti-climax to the end of of the

game, but player safety is always more important, but the players

don't want to be on the field now. They know the result. The crowd

have been good. They have stayed. Let's hope that this is not too

serious. That it is just a team-mates troop off after him.

They have lost this match. This is going to be the flattest of Flat

finishers. We have the conversion to come and it is going to be taken

by the man who is saying farewell to rugby, Nathan Sharpe. Second row

forward. As far as I know, this is a first. The crowd do not like it.

It is disrespectful and I agree with that. I understand the reason

for doing it. He has put it over. It is short. The game ends Nathan

Sharpe's international career. is goodbye to one of the greats of

the game. Nathan Sharpe says farewell with a victory. Australia

celebrate, Wales walked dejectedly off the field. They have lost again.

Seven defeats and a row for Wales. They've lost 16 times in a road to

the southern hemisphere giants. Jonathan, how did that happen?

don't know. They controlled the game. They needed that extra

penalty and they didn't do it. A kick that and going to touch, the

chase and defence and organisation was not good enough. One long pass

took a couple of defenders. Might have been a forward pass in the end,

but it doesn't matter because Australia took their one last

chance. We talk about Wales, it has been a little mental lapse, and it

was that last two minutes of that game. They didn't really

concentrate. They deserve to lose in the end. Last word, for weeks

ago, we said before the Argentina game they were full of optimism but

whereas welch Robinho? They have got a great chance in the Six

Nations to redeem themselves but they have to play a lot better and

change their tactics. Well, desolate faces all around. Talk

about pictures telling 1,000 words, you can see Warburton against the

post, utterly lost for words. How or Wales had such optimism and now

played four and lost four over the last month. Before we go, Leigh

Halfpenny, get home soon and well. We are back in nine weeks today for