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.
Scotland 19-9 Japan, 44 minutes
Jaunty from Scotland, trying a chip kick inside their own half but finding only Japanese hands, and the visitors can attack again. Jack Cornelsen makes an outstanding charge and gets an offload away! On Japan go through Craig Millar.
PENALTY! Scotland 19-9 JAPAN (Rikiya Matsuda penalty, 43 minutes)
No thought of trying a scrum with Scotland shorn of a prop - Japan again opt to try and take the points, and Rikiya Matsuda puts the ball between the uprights to claim them and narrow the lead.
YELLOW CARD! Jamie Bhatti is sin-binned! (Scotland 19-6 Japan, 43 minutes)
Jamie Bhatti crashes into opposite number Craig Millar as he and a Scottish teammate double-tackle the Japan loosehead, but Bhatti tumbles on the wrong side and blocks speedy ball with chances presenting themselves for Japan. It isn’t necessarily cynical, but Brendon Pickerill has lost patience with Scotland’s naughtiness - off to the bin for ten minutes Bhatti is sent.
Scotland 19-6 Japan, 42 minutes
Advanced attacking possession for Japan, who throw the lineout perfectly on the Scottish ten-metre. Kotaro Matsushima half-steps through a half-gap to win the gainline and Japan have an advantage as some lovely hands from Ryoyo Nakamura put Siosaia Fifita into space.
Scotland then infringe again as Japan reach the five-metre...
Scotland 19-6 Japan, 41 minutes
Can Japan get back in this? They’ll need a score soon, you’d say, if they are to have a hope. They play with the same ambition as in the first half and Rikiya Matsuda is taken high by Grant Gilchrist as he darts for a rapidly closing hole. Just a penalty.
RESUMPTION!
Stuart Hogg drop-kicks and the second half is underway!
The players re-emerge
“I think Japan have looked really dangerous, “ says Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings, not in the matchday squad, as he has a chat with the broadcasters as the two sets of players trot back out on to the Murrayfield surface.
Japan have made a change - Dylan Riley is on in the backline, replacing Shogo Nakano.
Japan a touch unfortunate
The scoreline is a little harsh on Japan, who have probably played the more consistent rugby so far but have struggled to convert possession into points. When asked to defend, they’ve been a little porous - Scotland have scored on almost every visit to the Japan 22. You wouldn’t say they are entirely out of this, though, given the adventure with which they have played - but it will be a tough ask to overturn a 13-point deficit if heads begin to drop after that stroke of halftime Darcy Graham score.
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