Wales 20–52 Australia
WALES’ woes under Warren Gatland deepened as Australia stormed to an emphatic victory in Cardiff, handing the hosts their 11th consecutive defeat—a record run in the nation’s rugby history. The Wallabies ran in eight tries to Wales’s two, racking up their highest-ever points total at the Principality Stadium.
This result starkly contrasted with Wales’s dominant pool-stage win over Georgia at last year’s Rugby World Cup and their record-margin thrashing of Australia shortly before. Since then, Wales have unravelled, with Gatland, once a figure of assurance, struggling to stop the rot.
The former coach, now in his second stint, faces mounting scrutiny. True, he has lost a wealth of talent to retirement, injuries, and overseas moves, but his high-profile return has yet to deliver solutions. Pre-match tensions were palpable, and the mood only worsened as the game unfolded.
Spirited Start but a Sobering Finish
Wales’s young side showed early grit, fighting back from a 19-0 deficit in the first half, even after losing Adam Beard to injury. A clever twisting finish by Aaron Wainwright and two Gareth Anscombe penalties reduced the gap to six points at the break, with Samu Kerevi’s red card a minute into the second half offering hope.
However, that hope quickly dissipated. Despite being down to 14 men, Australia ran in five second-half tries against an increasingly ragged Wales defence. Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler completed a hat-trick, as did player of the match Tom Wright, in a performance that left home fans streaming for the exits long before the final whistle.
Frustration and Familiar Failings
Wales’s struggles were evident from the outset. After an early defensive lapse by Gareth Anscombe, Wright burst through to score Australia’s first try. Moments later, Max Jorgensen’s one-handed offload set up Nick Frost for another, exposing Wales’s defensive frailties.
Adding insult to injury, a textbook maul—a hallmark of Gatland’s own coaching style—allowed Faessler to claim Australia’s third try. At 19-0, the Principality Stadium grew increasingly subdued.
While Wales rallied briefly, Kerevi’s reckless hit on Jac Morgan saw him sent off after a bunker review, but the numerical advantage did little to help Gatland’s side. Faessler’s second try had already stretched Australia’s lead to 13 points, and his third soon followed, capitalising on further defensive disarray.
Wright’s blistering pace tore through Wales’s backline again, with Noah Lolesio adding conversions to pile on the misery. A consolation try for Ben Thomas offered a fleeting glimmer of hope before late scores from Len Ikitau and Wright sealed an emphatic Australian victory.
Pre-Match Tensions Boil Over
Even before kick-off, tensions surrounding Wales’s struggles were laid bare. Responding to criticism from former players, Gatland remarked: “A couple of them I’m a bit disappointed with … you’d like to think there is an opportunity for them to back your corner.”
Jamie Roberts, providing punditry for TNT Sports, retorted: “I am sure he appreciates he’s in the position he is because of what the players gave for him on the park.”
The exchange highlighted the growing pressure on Gatland, who once left his role on a high after a highly successful first spell with Wales.
What’s Next for Wales?
With the Six Nations looming, questions surround whether Gatland can build a cohesive unit from the current squad. The side’s set-piece play—flawless in a recent loss to Fiji where Wales won all 18 of their lineouts—only highlights deeper systemic issues in defence and attack.
Five years ago, Gatland’s departure from his first stint as head coach was marked by celebration and respect. Now, as the defeats pile up, the end of his tenure, whenever it comes, feels unlikely to be met with the same fondness.
For now, the focus must shift to regrouping before the Six Nations, where Wales must rediscover their identity and repair their shattered confidence. But with performances like this, doubts about whether Gatland can turn things around will only grow louder.
