A day to remember Wallabies lost out in
WALES look to end a run of 13 consecutive defeats against Australia when they welcome Michael Cheika’s men to Principality Stadium this weekend.
Their miserable record against the Wallabies has been well documented of late, with their last triumph against the southern hemisphere giants coming almost exactly a decade ago on November 29, 2008.
That certainly proved to be a memorable occasion for Warren Gatland’s side, although one man namely Jamie Roberts - doesn’t have the fondest of memories of the fixture.
Here’s the full story on what happened that day, and the grim record that’s unfolded since then.
THE MATCH IN BRIEF Wales 21-18 Australia
THE hosts made a dream start in Cardiff as Shane Williams - just days after scooping the IRB Player of the Year award - finished off a stunning team move to put Wales ahead in the fourth minute.
But giant lock Mark Chisholm capitalised on a mistake at a Welsh lineout to run in the Wallabies’ first try from more than 60 metres out.
A conversion was swiftly followed with a drop-goal by Matt Giteau before Stephen Jones reduced Australia’s lead to two points with a penalty.
And Wales edged back in-front after some majestic footwork from Williams who created space for fullback Lee Byrne to race in a second try for Gatland’s side, with Jones notching the conversion.
Giteau cut Wales’ down to two points seven minutes into the second half with a penalty, but a dropgoal and then a penalty from Jones ultimately sealed victory for Wales, with Digby Ioane scoring a late consolation try for the southern hemisphere side.
Lee Byrne; Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Ian Gough, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones, Martyn Williams, Andy Powell.
Tries: Lee Byrne, Shane
Wales: Scorers:
Williams; Con: Stephen Jones; Pens: Stephen Jones (2); Drop-goal: Stephen Jones
Drew Mitchell; Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Stirling Mortlock, Digby Ioane; Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Nathan Sharpe, Hugh McMeniman, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown.
Australia: Scorers:
Tries: Mark Chisholm, Digby Ioane; Con: Matt Giteau; Pen: Matt Giteau; Drop-goal: Matt Giteau
SO WHAT HAPPENED TO JAMIE ROBERTS?
THE fresh-faced centre was making just his sixth start for Wales.
However, a truly horrific clash of heads with his opposite number Stirling Mortlock as early as the second minute led to one of the most concerning moments of the Welshman’s rugby career.
Mortlock was forced off the pitch soon after, although Roberts somehow managed to stay on the pitch, even playing a key role in Wales’ opening try.
But when brain fluid started to trickle down the back of his throat, medical student Roberts knew he could play no further part for his country on that occasion, with Andrew Bishop coming on in his place.
“I always say, tongue-in-cheek, that I blame Rob Howley for it!” he quipped.
“It was back in the day when refs were giving a lot of free kicks off scrums.
“So Rob said if we get one to look to take a quick tap and for me to hit a hard line off nine to sit down 10-12.
“Low and behold, three minutes into the game we were awarded a scrum free-kick.
“So, Andy Powell took a quick tap,