How they rated

JOSH ADAMS

Parachuted into the starting line-up as a late replacement for back-spasm victim Leigh Halfpenny – and smashed by Langi Gleeson when taking an early high ball. It got better, with

Adams achieving a superb turnover and then saved a try with a last-ditch tackle on Jed Holloway.

ALEX CUTHBERT

Had gone seven Tests without scoring a try and there was no sign of the drought ending here. Did put in a few runs and applied pressure in defence, but Mark Nawaqanitawase beat him twice en route to the line.

GEORGE NORTH

One powerful run splintered the opposition defence, while North also came up with a number of great defensive reads. He’s had a strong few weeks.

JOE HAWKINS

From the Welsh Premiership to the Test arena in the space of barely a month, and Hawkins made the jump without too many problems. Created space for those around him with some smooth passing and also caught the eye as a carrier, but made an error when trying to clear lines late on.

RIO DYER

Spurned a chance when put clear towards the end of the first half and ran up a couple of blind alleys before keeping his width to touch down. What was particularly encouraging was that Dyer kept looking for work.

GARETH ANSCOMBE

Kicked brilliantly off the tee and set up Rio Dyer’s try with an accurate delivery off the right hand, while generally looking the part as a general. Left the field with a shoulder injury on 55 minutes.

TOMOS WILLIAMS

Knocked on with Wales in a promising position early on, then left pitch for a head injury assessment.

GARETH THOMAS

Incurred the displeasure of the referee early on but hit back with some strong scrummaging, sound tackling, nice passing and a couple of useful charges. Has become an important figure for Wales with his unyielding defence.

KEN OWENS

Showed good anticipation to snaffle an Australian lineout, pounded forward with ball in hand and a 100 per cent line-out return is never to be sniffed at, with 12 out of 12 line-out throws finding their targets.

DILLON LEWIS

Impressive. Scrummaged well and also popped up regularly as a carrier, making good yardage, and did his bit in defence. Set-piece wobbled once or twice in second half before Wales sent on Tom Francis.

ADAM BEARD

Needed a big display after his quiet effort against Argentina but dropped the ball from the kick-off. Sought to carry, also safe at the line-out, charged down and had a strong second half.

ALUN WYN JONES

Rumours his powers are on the wane are greatly exaggerated. Started like a house on fire, carrying, offloading, winning line-out ball and assisting a try, all in the first 10 minutes. Conceded the odd penalty thereafter, but this was a defiant performance from Jones, a message to those who have been writing him off.

JUSTIN TIPURIC (CAPT)

Great carry in run-up to Morgan’s early try, strong line-out work.

Won turnover penalty towards the end, but had earlier received a yellow card that proved costly.

TAULUPE FALETAU

Big day reaching his century of Test caps and marked it with an expertly taken try Continued to battle, surprisingly subbed with the game coming to boil on 72 minutes.