Gatland: We must keep on winning

WARREN Gatland challenged Wales’ fringe players to keep the momentum going against Tonga after they ended a ten-year wait to beat Australia.

Wales secured their first win over the Wallabies in 14 matches as Dan Biggar rose from the bench to kick a vital penalty in a 9-6 success.

Gatland said: “I thought we were very composed towards the end of the game, even if I wasn’t. I thought we were going to lose in the last minute again.

“We’ve done everything right in how we’re building the squad and it’s always nice to get a win against a Southern Hemisphere team.

“It puts a bit of pressure on the guys who play against Tonga next week and we will probably make 15 changes for that game. The players who play know there is a lot at stake.”

Leigh Halfpenny kicked two penalties but also

missed two simple shots at goal and three-point efforts from Bernard Foley and Matt To’omua left the sides locked at 6-6 with five minutes to go.

But with Halfpenny off the field for a head injury assessment after being wiped out by Samu Kerevi, his replacement Biggar stepped up to finally give Wales a priceless victory.

“I didn’t think I would see the day when Leigh would miss two in front of the posts,” Gatland said. “I wasn’t worried about him missing the kicks, it was more the misses affecting the rest of his game.

“His performance was outstanding. If he had missed kicks like that in the past, his game might have gone to pieces but worldclass players don’t let that happen.”

Kerevi tackled Halfpenny with the ball long gone and the Scarlets star will now have to undergo the usual return to play protocols. George North (dead leg) and Tomas Francis (back) also had injuries.

“I thought the tackle on Leigh was reckless,” Gatland added. “It was potentially a yellow card. He (Kerevi) was going to make contact with him, but he has left that shoulder in. He could have turned his back or put an arm out to soften the blow, but it is a tough job out there for a referee.”

Wales flanker Justin Tipuric was named man of the match for a second successive week. He said: “In the past we have had many losses against Australia, so it’s nice to finally get a win. We are building some momentum. We pride ourselves on our defence and that’s what won us the game.”

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said: “I am really pleased for the squad. We have lost by many a fine margin, but we will be honest and say we won by a fine margin as well. I’m proud of the boys because we’ve been gracious in defeat for a long time and now we can make sure we can be gracious in success.”

Australia have now lost eight of their 11 Tests this year.