Wales v Australia LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction from record win as Wallabies face shock exit
Wales 40-6 Australia: Warren Gatland’s side enjoyed a night to remember as Eddie Jones suffered a humiliating World Cup defeat in Lyon
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales thumped Australia to cruise into the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup with a game to spare, leaving the Wallabies and head coach Eddie Jones staring at the humiliation of a first-ever group-stage exit.
An early break from Gareth Davies set Wales on their way to a comprehensive victory and although Warren Gatland lost fly-half Dan Bigger to a concerning shoulder injury, replacement Gareth Anscombe came off the bench to contribute 23 points.
Anscombe also set up Wales’ second try with a clever chip to Nick Tompkins, as Gatland’s side continued to choose their moments in what was a clinical victory, before Jac Morgan crashed over to seal a record 40-6 scoreline for Wales in this fixture.
The result was a disaster for Australia and Jones, who desperately needed a win after their earlier defeat to Fiji in Pool C. The two-time champions are now set to record their worst-ever performance in World Cup history.
Follow all the reaction after Wales recorded their biggest-ever win against Australia to reach the quarter-finals
FULL-TIME: Wales 40-6 Australia
Here’s a look at the two second-half tries. The first, a product of a lovely kick from the superb Anscombe:
And the second, a driving maul in the dying moments to add insult to injury:
FULL-TIME: Wales 40-6 Australia
A record win for Wales who are into the World Cup quarter-finals! Australia have a late dash at the line but Wales keep the ball up and that is that. The men in red punch the air in delight - a performance for the ages to become the first team into the last eight.
But, Australia. Well, what can you say? A nightmare from minute one to minute 80 and Eddie Jones’s side must now almost certainly resign themselves to an early World Cup exit. Fiji now need just one win from their games against Georgia and Portugal and the Wallabies will be packing their bags for an early flight back home.
TRY! Wales 40-6 Australia (Morgan, 78 mins)
78 mins: The icing on the cake for Wales! They show Australia how to kick for the corner and it’s a huge drive from the resulting maul. The Wallabies are powerless to prevent captain Morgan from carrying the ball over the line and Wales now have FORTY points against Australia.
Anscombe misses the chance to make it 42 but, still, this is a thrashing.
Wales 35-6 Australia
75 mins: Oh my. The faces on the Australian fans in the crowd say it all. Their side has a penalty after a high tackle from Wales but Gordon’s kick for the corner goes awry and flies straight out over the ‘22 and goes dead.
A scrum for Wales from where the kick was taken.
Wales 35-6 Australia
74 mins: That’s 23 points now for the Welsh fly-half - a stellar contribution having been thrown on after just 12 minutes following that Biggar injury.
Another penalty for Wales as Kerevi knocks it on deliberately. They are disappearing without a trace.
DROP GOAL! Wales 35-6 Australia (Anscombe, 70 mins)
70 mins: Rees-Zammit is the target from the scrum but he loses his feet as he looks to dart over on the right side. Play recycled and through the phases they go, Wales happy to run down the clock if nothing else.
Or not! Anscombe fancies some more points and fires a drop goal over the posts for another three points. Wales now on for their record win against the Wallabies as things stand!
Wales 32-6 Australia
68 mins: Wales smell blood as they hunt more points in the dying stages. Their attack is initially repelled and the ball turned over, but Kerevi’s knock on gifts it straight back to the men in red.
A scrum in a great position now.
Wales 32-6 Australia
66 mins: Still nothing forthcoming from the Wallabies in attack. A surge up the right wing ends as the offload drifts into touch. Wales are bossing this game in every facet.
PENALTY! Wales 32-6 Australia (Anscombe, 60 mins)
60 mins: Absolutely nothing is working for Australia in attack right now as Gordon miscues his box kick straight up into the Lyon night sky. He knocks it on as he tries to retrieve his own kick but it gets worse as the Wallabies then concede yet another penalty.
Right in front of the posts and Anscombe makes no mistake. Is there a way back now for Australia? It certainly doesn’t look like it.
Wales 29-6 Australia
57 mins: Australia need a comeback and fast but nothing appears to be coming off. McDermott kicks for touch and North almost makes a break through the line.
Adams, then, thinks he’s made a break down the right but Wayne Barnes brings it back for a forward pass.
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