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As it happenedended

Australia vs Wales, Rugby World Cup 2019: Result and reaction from thrilling clash in Tokyo

Re-live all the action and reaction from a World Cup classic

Samuel Lovett
Tokyo Stadium
Sunday 29 September 2019 06:45 EDT
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Rugby World Cup: Wales in profile

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Wales put one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals and announced themselves as major title contenders after beating Australia 29-25 at Tokyo Stadium.

The Six Nations champions took charge of Pool D with a second successive win that could lead to a last-eight clash against France or Argentina.

Australia, though, might be hurtling towards a knockout tie with England, who are coached by former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones, despite staging a spectacular second-half fightback.

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43 min: Australia 8-23 Wales

Wales go right from the scrum and it's George North who eventually breaks rank down the right, leading the charge deep into Australia's half. He's scathed down but manages to make the offload around his opposite man to release Gareth Davies. The nine is similarly stopped in his tracks 15 metres out, and Wales look to recycle.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 09:58

45 min: Australia 8-26 Wales (Patchell drop-kick)

Brilliant from the Welsh. Off that promising attack down the right, Gatland's men patiently moved themselves into position inside their opponent's 22 before whipping it back to Rhys Patchell. It wasn't the cleanest of kicks but the 10 nonetheless made it count. Wales pull further ahead.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:00

TRY! Australia score!

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:01

47 min: Australia 15-26 Wales (Haylett-Petty, Toomua conversion)

The Wallabies respond immediately with a stunning passage of play, rounded off by the simplest of finishes from Dane Haylett-Petty.

Australia initial broke down the left, the ball exchanging hands between Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete as they wove their way through a scattered Welsh defence. After recycling play just a few metres back from the white line, and with Wales' men still trying to recover, the ball was sent right where Australia had the numerical advantage before Haylett-Petty dotted down.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:01

50 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

Wales in danger here as we go to TMO for a Josh Adams challenge on Isi Naisarani. It looked very high... have we got a card on our hands?

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:07

51 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

No we don't. It's just a penalty. Romain Poite has a word with both captains as he asks for lower tackles from the two teams. Matt Toomua, who has replaced Bernard Foley, finds touch on the Welsh 22.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:08

51 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

The throw misses the target but Australia retain play. They keep their foot on the pressure, hitting Wales with wave after wave deep inside the 22.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:10

53 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

Another knock-on from the Wallabies. Samu Kerevi is to blame. Wales did well to hang, but there's going to be some tired lungs out there. After the ball is spilled, the Welsh pounce before booting clear at the first available opportunity. Mesmerising stuff.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:12

55 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

Michael Hooper picks up from the back of the ruck and immediately charges head first into Justin Tipuric. The Welsh man is straight over after the tackle but it seems the ball was dropped upon the point of contact. Superb defence. Wales scrum.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:13

55 min: Australia 15-26 Wales

Wales hold firm in the scrum and Gareth Davies leads the charge down the left. He's wrapped up by Michael Hooper though, who bundles him into touch with a storming tackle. The captain makes amends for his earlier transgression with that challenge.

Samuel Lovett29 September 2019 10:15

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