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
PENALTY! Wales 29-6 Australia (Anscombe, 52 mins)
52 mins: From bad to worse for the Wallabies as Kerevi is high into the tackle on Tompkins and gives away a penalty just moments after the try.
It’s perfectly placed for another penalty...and Anscombe makes no mistake! Australia are now more than three converted tries behind with under 30 minutes remaining. Not good.
TRY! Wales 26-6 Australia (Tompkins, 48 mins)
48 mins: A huge score for Wales and that could be fatal for the Wallabies!
Out of the scrum, it’s a lovely grubber kick from Davies. Adams can’t quite keep it in but it’s a 50-22 which gives Wales the throw from the lineout.
Through the phases they go before a delightful kick from Anscombe over the top catches the Australian defence flat-footed, with Tompkins the man to take advantage, racing through and touching it down right under the posts.
Anscombe adds the extra two and Wales lead by 20 now. Half an hour for Australia to turn this around.
Wales 19-6 Australia
45 mins: Adams mistimes his tackle as he competes for the high ball, taking out Nawaqanitawase and giving away the penalty.
But another mistake from Australia as the lineout isn’t straight. A free-kick and the Wallabies give the ball right back to Wales.
PENALTY! Wales 19-6 Australia (Anscombe, 43 mins)
43 mins: And now a penalty! It’s a great push at the scrum from the Welsh and they get their reward and the chance to add another three from the tee.
Anscombe steps up...and converts. 13 ahead now and the perfect start to the second half for Gatland’s side.
KICK-OFF! Wales 16-6 Australia
41 mins: Wales get us under way in this massive second 40 minutes. Australia need a comeback or face the embarrassment of a group-stage exit.
And it’s not started well as the Wallabies concede a scrum straight from the kick off.
HALF-TIME: Wales 16-6 Australia
A productive first half for Warren Gatland’s side:
HALF-TIME: Wales 16-6 Australia
Here’s a look at the game’s only try, scored by Gareth Davies after just three minutes:
HALF-TIME: Wales 16-6 Australia
And it almost gets even better before the break. A sweeping move from the Welsh almost sees Rees-Zammit squeeze over in the right corner. The effort is held up in the end by the scrambling Australian defence and that is the half.
A great foundation for Wales who have a ten-point lead and are halfway towards securing their berth in the quarter-finals. Australia may be ruing that decision to not take the penalty in the 29th minute and must now produce a second-half comeback to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
PENALTY! Wales 16-6 Australia (Anscombe, 39 mins)
39 mins: The perfect way to end this half from a Welsh perspective as Anscombe adds another three points from the tee. It’s rather harsh on Valetini, who thought he could dive onto the loose ball, but a ten-point lead heading into the break looks rather nice if Gatland’s side can hold on for the final minute.
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