Five things we learnt from Wales v Wallabies

Sat, Nov 26, 2022, 5:51 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Mark Nawaqanitawase continues his dream season with a starring performance. Photo: Getty Images
Mark Nawaqanitawase continues his dream season with a starring performance. Photo: Getty Images

The Wallabies somehow found a way to pull off the impossible, defeating Wales 39-34.

Down 34-13 with 25 minutes to go, the visitors' 'never say die' attitude shone through and delivered one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent memory.

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Wales will be wondering how that game slipped away, with the game adding further spice to their eventual rematch in under 12 months' time at Rugby World Cup 2023.

So what did we learn?

1.The Cardiff Classic

You will struggle to find a more gutsy last 25 minutes than what the Wallabies produced

The understrength Wallabies looked dead and buried with 25 minutes to go, looking second-best against a Wales side hungry to bounce back after their embarrassing defeat to Georgia.

However, this side refuses to quit, even if their fate seemed all but certain, waiting for the final whistle to blow.

There are close to 25 players back at home but the Wallabies were never using that as an excuse, lighting up Wales to get themselves back into the contest.

They showed remarkable composure to pick apart the hosts when they lost two players to the bin and found a way to finish the game with the hosts barging down their goal line.

As for the entirety of the Spring Tour, there are by far still more questions than answers left of this Wallabies side, finishing 2/5 when it could have very much been either 0/5, 5/5 or anything in between.

2. The find of the Tour

No one has raised their stocks more than Mark Nawaqanitawase over the past six weeks.

The Waratahs winger is electric whenever he touches the ball and offers new attacking opportunities that other wingers can’t create thanks to his lengthy frame.

For so long, the Wallabies have craved an outside back not named Marika Koroibete that can take over a game and provide spark in attack.

His first try showcased his finishing skills whilst the second was a perfect display of his pace and power.

He also provides under-rated pressure in defence, highlighted by his chase-down tackle in the 70th minute on Joe Hawkins.

With Koroibete set to return to the frame in 2023, the combination of the Fijian flyers is a real X-Factor for the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup.

3. Perfect timing

Dave Rennie has copped some criticism for his team selections but the timing of his bench injection turned the match on its head.

Pete Samu brings much-needed tempo and energy to the side whenever he comes in, instantly flipping momentum when he grubbed ahead to flip the field possession in the 53rd minute, joined by replacement hooker Lachlan Lonergan to set up a 5-metre scrum and Mark Nawaqanitawase’s first try.

The backrower’s game awareness is next level, taking a great intercept that was only stopped by Tipuric’s trip.

He was electric and probably next best on field behind Nawaqanitawase. Tate McDermott was also strong off the bench, proving his Test credentials once again with a great cameo.

4. Deja vu

Regardless of the result, this was far from a dynamic performance from the Wallabies.

It’s a broken record for fans but yet again the team’s struggles with discipline forced them to dig deep and welcome unwanted pressure.

Jake Gordon found himself once again in the ire of the referee, a step offside on their goal-line after a Rio Dyer break before the break, followed by Tom Robertson after consecutive scrum penalties, the 15th yellow card for the year.

Like Argentina, Wales marched through the defence and scored two quick tries, which should’ve ultimately put the game well out of question.

This was coupled with a forward pack that was dominated for the first half, whilst the defensive line looked disjointed at stages of the game.

If they want to compete with the best, there are serious improvements needed in this Wallabies side.

5. Lonergan’s wild ride

Lachlan Lonergan’s last five minutes of the game summed up the Test for the Wallabies.

The hooker had a strong first injection to force the 5-metre scrum to kickstart the comeback before the ball ended up in his lap with three minutes to go to put the side in front.

He then gave away a simple penalty to give Wales one last chance to attack, instantly making up for it by earning the game-winning turnover.

Folau Fainga’a was solid but once again had an indifferent night at set-piece time, opening the door for Lonergan to press his claims as he steps into the starting role for the Brumbies

 

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