How they rated

LIAM WILLIAMS

An excellent first half, with catches, carries, steps, tackles, a deft kick – the lot. One superb defensive read after the break snuffed out a dangerous attack.

8 LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT

Had zero attacking opportunities this time but was composed in defence, covering and tackling. Wales need to get him into their offensive game.

NICK TOMPKINS

Not without the odd error, but scored a try and was as busy as a wasp on a productivity bonus. Did his bit in defence and came up with a key late carry.

WILLIS HALAHOLO

Put in an important tackle on Taniela Tupou, showed dancing feet in attack and sent out a slide-rule pass for Taine Basham. Two missed tackles.

JOSH ADAMS

He grafted hard enough on a day when there weren’t many attacking opportunities out wide for Wales. Still there at the end, battling for the cause.

DAN BIGGAR

One nice delayed pass triggered a dangerous Welsh attack, kicked well out of hand and Biggar stayed calm amid the maelstrom. Goalkicking was also outstanding.

TOMOS WILLIAMS

He came up with a sharp try assist, fairly ripping around the corner to put Ryan Elias over. There were some nice runs after the break, too.

STARMAN: TAINE BASHAM

The official man of the match made 19 tackles and a number of ground-eating carries. Also, on the scene for turnovers. The odd spillage with ball in hand, but he was the dynamic force in the Wales back row, rounding off a superb series.

REPLACEMENTS

Elliot Dee, 5: Some carrying in final moments; Gareth Thomas, 5; Conceded a needless yellow card; Dillon Lewis, 6: Good carrying in final moments; Ben Carter, 6: One outstanding take of a restart, defended solidly; Christ Tshiunza, 7: Great tackle on Beale in dying seconds; Gareth Davies, 7: Couldn’t stop Filipo Daugunu from scoring but super run down wing at end; Rhys Priestland, 7: Gave away a penalty but showed nerves of steel to kick match-winning penalty; Johnny McNicholl, 7: One nice run saw him spin through a couple of tackles, good take under high ball.

AUSTRALIA 5 7 6 6 7 6 WYN JONES

Up against the monstrous Taniela Tupou. There was some carrying and tackling, but Jones’s

5 bread-and-butter is the scrum and it didn’t go well there for Wales.

RYAN ELIAS

Took his try with the aplomb of a winger, holding his depth and finishing nicely. Elias also

7 came up with 13 tackles, missing none. The odd line-out gremlin.

The Welsh scrum was under the cosh in the opening half and Francis couldn’t make any impression on James Slipper, conceding a penalty himself.

TOMAS FRANCIS ADAM BEARD

An early carry and tackle, only for Beard to be smashed out of the game by a dangerous

6 head-high hit from Rob Valetini, who was deservedly red-carded.

SEB DAVIES

Playing at lock instead of in the back row, he found it hard to get his hands on the ball early

6 doors but made his tackles and jumped like a stag.

ELLIS JENKINS 5

The captain packed a presence at the breakdown and won turnovers. He also made a couple of breaks, one of them on the wing. He was subbed near the hour mark.

6 AARON WAINWRIGHT

Wainwright took time to get into the game. One charge-down and some tackling. He was turned over late on as Wales needlessly tried to play out of defence.

6

15. Kurtley Beale, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 13. Len Ikitau, 12. Hunter Paisami, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 10. James O’Connor, 9. Nic White, 1. James Slipper (capt), 2. Tolu Latu, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Pete Samu, 8. Rob Valetini.