Wales vs Australia LIVE: Rugby result, final score and Autumn Nations Series 2021 reaction
The hosts prevailed on a dramatic night at the Principality Stadium thanks to Rhys Priestland’s late penalty
Wales‘ Rhys Priestland kicked a penalty after the hooter as the hosts poured more misery on Australia with a 29-28 victory at the Principality Stadium on Saturday following an early red card for visiting number eight Rob Valetini.
Valetini became the fifth player to see red against Wales in the last 12 months but could have few complaints after his dangerous tackle on lock Adam Beard after 14 minutes resulted in a clash of heads.
Hooker Ryan Elias and centre Nick Tompkins scored tries for the home side, who failed to drive home their numerical advantage and were seconds away from losing before they were awarded an offside penalty in the last play of the game.
Australia, who have lost all three matches on their tour after defeats by Scotland and England, scored tries through wings Andrew Kellaway and Filipo Daugunu, plus scrumhalf Nic White but, having highlighted the need to improve their discipline in the week, let themselves down again.
England 7-0 South Africa, 11 minutes
Back to the set-piece as Jonny May drops the ball inside the England 22, but again there is instability and again the decision goes England’s way. Angus Gardner on the touchline spots Trevor Nyakane going to floor first and South Africa are penalised.
England 7-0 South Africa, 8 minutes
That is less good news for England - Tuilagi injured himself in scoring in the corner and he’s had to trudge off! Max Malins is on and has gone to the wing, Joe Marchant slips in to the outside centre channel, and Henry Slade is now at 12.
TRY! ENGLAND 7-0 South Africa (Manu Tuilagi try, 7 minutes)
There’s no stopping Manu Tuilagi from there - the England centre is over in the corner!
It was smart from England, drawing in the South African defence with close n carriers, allowing Marcus Smith to lurk out the back of two forwards. He takes the pass from Ben Youngs and spreads to Henry Slade, who puts his centre partner into space with a fizzed wide ball. A rumble for the line and Twickenham roars as Tuilagi dives over.
Marcus Smith converts from the touchline. What a start for England!
England 0-0 South Africa, 6 minutes
England try to maul with a darty throw to the front from Jamie Blamire hitting a grounded Maro Itoje, but South AFrica defend it well, and Englan will have to play away.
Jonny May shimmies out of two tackles to within ten metres and Maro Itoje carries hard, but the lock is stood up five metres out...
England 0-0 South Africa, 5 minutes
Andrew Brace whistles once more, and this time it is a penalty! Kyle Sinckler rises with a Chesire Cat grin having forced Ox Nche to ground...
And Marcus Smith kicks for the corner!
England 0-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
Free kick to England and Courtney Lawes is happy enough to go back into scrum battle.
England 0-0 South Africa, 3 minutes
After Smith runs it is Ben Youngs using the boot well - dabbed in behind Willie Le Roux who is forced to carry over his own line and ground by two English chasers. A five metre scrum for England, five metres infield on the left. First chance.
England 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes
Here comes Freddie Steward! A clean take and a powerful fend as he runs the ball back, and midfield possession for England.
Marcus Smith’s high bomb ends up in English hands too! Another kick, this time more adventurous - Smith’s crossfield number hops beautifully for Harlequins teammate Joe Marchant on the right!
England 0-0 South Africa, 1 minute
England are under aerial pressure straightaway but claim the kick-off superbly and put something skywards themselves - Ben Youngs box kick nicely taken by South Africa.
To the skies again! Handre Pollard’s high hoist is fumbled by a leaping Jesse Kriel and Jonny May and falls, fortuitously for the home side, into English hands.
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