How they rated
LEIGH HALFPENNY
What is going on?” asked Jonathan Davies in TV commentary after Halfpenny missed a penalty from in front of the sticks on the stroke of half-time. But lifted game after break, landing second penalty.
Went off for HIA after questionable hit from Kerevi.
GEORGE NORTH
No major errors, but nor did he make a major impact before leaving the field with an injury early in the second half. He has been playing well this season, but play didn’t run his way here.
JONATHAN DAVIES
Marshalled the Welsh defence superbly, reading play well and organising expertly. There were also strong runs and a couple of nice touches. He is a class act and this was another strong display.
HADLEIGH PARKES
He still isn’t operating at his best. His defence wasn’t bombproof, with tackles missed. One good aerial challenge and took responsibility to carry when Wales were in unpromising position early in second half.
But there’s scope to improve.
JOSH ADAMS
A decent shift in attack, with one run bringing the crowd to their feet. Adams was forceful and carried with purpose, also showing up well in defence, especially when snaffling possession late on. A lively effort.
GARETH ANSCOMBE
Largely impressive. Saved a try with a fine tackle on Kerevi and put in more good kicks than bad.
One pass hit Cory Hill on the head, but there was more sunshine than showers for the Cardiff Blue.
GARETH DAVIES
The match wasn’t of high quality for long periods and Davies didn’t exactly lift the standard. Defended well enough, but there needs to be more and Tomos Williams added something off the bench.
STAR MAN: NICKY SMITH
Subbed on 55 minutes, but Smith had a strong game, scrummaging well and working hard around the field, with a turnover won in the first five minutes and a set-piece penalty forced soon after. His best game for Wales.
KEN OWENS
A tough first half for the Lions hooker. Effort wasn’t a problem, but a couple of Welsh line-outs went astray and he missed a tackle. It did get better for him thereafter, as he put in several strong hits and carries, helping to lift Wales.
TOMAS FRANCIS
Won a scrum penalty and kept Scott Sio quiet. In that respect, he did what he had been brought in to do. Quiet around the field but his selection was a sound one.
ADAM BEARD
A couple of fine takes from restarts and grafted hard in high-class company. No fireworks from Beard, but he didn’t look wildly out of place.
ALUN WYN JONES (C)
Another big display from Wales’s captain. Did brilliantly to hold up a Wallaby ball-carrier and not long after came up with fend that rocked Foley back — an action that prompted social media chatter about its legality. But he was at the heart of all that was good about Wales after the break.
DAN LYDIATE
A candidate for man of the match a week earlier and made a shed-load of tackles again.
But he also gave away a couple of penalties and couldn’t make a major impact on the gain-line.
ROSS MORIARTY
Smashed everything that moved in the first half-hour, but won’t forget being hit by a ton-of-bricks tackle splattered by Adam Coleman. Drove like a truck into David Pocock and gave Wales a physical edge.