By Sam Worthington with AP
The Wallabies have pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Australia’s rich rugby history, coming home late to stun Wales 39-34 in their end-of-season test in Cardiff.
Wales led 34-13 with 23 minutes to play before youngsters Mark Nawaqanatawase and Lachlan Lonergan sparked an epic turnaround to end a difficult year on a positive note.
Breakaway winger Nawaqanatawase scored two tries, while secondary hooker Lonergan grabbed the match score and then the decisive haul to break the hosts apart.
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Lonergan scores the match-winning try
The Wallabies finish the Autumn Nations Series with a record of 2-3 with the five games convincing and frustrating in equal measure.
“We’ve had so many close losses so to seal one at the end is very satisfying,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie told Andrew Mehrtens on Stan Sport’s coverage.
“We had a big impact off the bench and put them on pretty early because we were struggling early. So they were great.
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Nawaqanatawase burns the Welsh defence
“When you’re down as low as we are, it’s very satisfying. We’ve got an amazing group of great people. Let’s celebrate.”
Wales gifted the Aussies a way back when captain Justin Tipuric was booked for bringing down Pete Samu after an interception.
The Wallabies were smart enough to expose Tipuric’s absence when Nawaqanatawase scored a ball off the line.
Wallabies hooker crashes
The Wallabies forwards then won a penalty try with a rolling maul and were only trailing 34-32 with six long minutes to go.
In addition, Wales were reduced to 13 men as substitute Ryan Elias was booked for collapsing the maul.
Australia made it count.
Gleeson bats Wales on first outing
Nawaqanatawase’s break was supported, Welsh half-back Kieran Hardy intercepted a last-ditch pass but flicked it forward, and Lonergan rallied and ran in for the winning try, his first in Test rugby , in the 78th minute.
Australia have also lost nine Tests this year but completed a grueling and injury-riddled tour of Europe with a win for the first time in nine years.
“That was massive,” Mehrtens said.
Australia celebrate the final whistle. (Getty)
“Australia will continue to look at how they have allowed the Welsh forwards to get their way, but this was one of the best performances of the Northern series. Good execution, good composure and decision-making.”
The teams will meet in the group stages of the Rugby World Cup next September, but if the Wallabies are at their best, only five or six of the starters in Cardiff should start in Lyon.
There were no players like Michael Hooper, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Taniela Tupou, Bernard Foley or Tom Banks in Australia.
Australia’s Mark Nawaqanatawase runs with the ball. (Getty)
Five-eighth Ben Donaldson, who missed the last conversion to beat Italy, and No.8 Langi Gleeson both started a Test for the first time.
“The boys believed a lot,” Nawaqanatawase told Stan Sport.
“There were some things in the first half that let us down, but we showed a lot of guts and character to come back and win.
Australia’s Lachlan Lonergan crosses to score. (Getty)
“We have only lost by one point against the best teams. Don’t lose faith in us – we have a strong team and we support each other.”
Despite picking up more points against Australia, the Welsh mismanaged the final quarter and their ninth defeat in 12 Tests marked their worst calendar year since 2010.
The results had already put manager Wayne Pivac’s future in doubt before the latest heartbreaking defeat.
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