Millennium cracker all square
By Ben Blackmore
Last Updated: 29/07/24 8:58am
Wales and Australia could not be separated in a fantastic encounter in Cardiff.
International Test match, Millennium Stadium, Saturday November 4
Australia are yet to find a win on their European tour after they drew 29-29 in a pulsating encounter with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
In a match that sacrificed any thoughts of defensive caution for sheer ambition, the lead changed hands several times before 21-year-old James Hook calmly levelled matters near the end.
Australia outscored the hosts four tries to two thanks to scores from Cameron Shepherd (2), Matt Giteau and Chris Latham, but Wales stayed on terms through 13 crucial points from Hook, as well as touchdowns from Shane Williams and Martyn Williams.
The sense of a new dawn surrounded both camps ahead of the opening whistle, Stephen Jones taking the captain's armband for the first home clash of boss Gareth Jenkins's reign, against a Wallabies outfit embarking upon a tour without the guidance of record-breaking skipper George Gregan.
Jenkins was able to call upon star names Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin, Martyn Williams and - significantly - Gareth Thomas, the Toulouse man making his first international appearance since suffering a mini-stroke in February.
By contrast, Australia's line-up had been labelled 'experimental' ahead of kick-off as John Connolly made a number of positional gambles, switching Matt Giteau to half-back, with Stephen Larkham starting at inside centre to allow Mat Rogers to control matters from outside-half.
Ultimately, there was an abundance of positives for both coaches to take away at the final whistle, on an afternoon when the old cliché 'rugby was the real winner' seems more than apt.
In an utterly compelling contest that sizzled from the first minute to the last, Giteau proved an outstanding shining light for the visitors with a try and an assist, while Hook was a revelation for Wales.
The opening 30 minutes undoubtedly belonged to Australia, who began the contest with real intent through the probing Giteau, and his opening three-pointer inside four minutes could have been turned into seven but for the scrambling hands of Wycliff Palu out wide.
Perhaps more heartening for Wallaby coach John Connolly will have been the sight of a solid green-and-gold scrum early on, something that was not in attendance in last year's 24-22 defeat.
A Stephen Jones three-pointer briefly halted the visitors' momentum, but the Wallabies found a seemingly inevitable lead on 13 minutes thanks to the creative work of Giteau and Rogers.
First, Giteau had the poise to spread the ball left as Australia camped on the Wales line, and then Rogers stepped off his left foot before offloading for Cameron Shepherd to score the easiest try of his career.
Wales' individual stars were getting little chance to impact on the action as the Wallabies dominated 84 per cent of the ball in the opening 15 minutes, but Henson's kicking ability only needs a half chance - and he countered for 10-6 with a trademark long-ranger.
Once again the hosts' joy was cut alarmingly short though, by a second Australia score that owed everything to the vision and opportunism of Giteau. With Shanklin turning his back on the play, the alert mind of the Aussie half-back reacted faster than any other to take a quick tap and dive over for 17-6.
Gareth Jenkins' dream home Test was fast becoming a nightmare as skipper Stephen Jones disappeared down the tunnel with a knee injury, but that brought 21-year-old Hook into the fray for an immediate change of momentum..
A swift right-to-left exchange saw Shanklin straighten, allowing Kevin Morgan to slip the ball to Shane Williams for 13-17.
Suddenly it was Wales showing ambition as they tossed the ball around like a basketball before the break, and Hook showed plenty of maturity in only his third international appearance to close the gap to just a point at the break.
Of the all the 'experiments' on view, the Ospreys man proved to be perhaps the greatest revelation, appearing after the interval to peg the Wallabies back with some astute kicking.
Shane Williams was also becoming a growing presence, and it was his chip and chase that opened up the opportunity for Hook to hand his men the lead for the first time at 19-17, a chance the youngster took after Larkham had checked Williams' run.
Australia's lack of familiarity suddenly appeared to be a problem as they struggled to regain their early dominance, and Wales deservedly took a clear advantage on 56 minutes. A speculative Shanklin clearance saw Morgan trouble three retreating Wallaby defenders, who managed to spill the ball into Martyn Williams' grateful path.
Such was the ebb-and-flow of the contest that Australia were just bound to respond in kind though, and they did just that to devastating effect with two tries in five minutes.
First, Shepherd showed fantastic hands for 26-24 after Giteau's super break sent Tuqiri darting towards the line. Then, with Wales still reeling, Latham punished a wild Morgan clearance - tip-toeing down the left flank to nudge the Wallabies ahead at 29-26.
Still Wales were not finished though, and Hook boosted his burgeoning reputation with his fifth successful kick for parity at 29-29 with eight minutes to play.
Australia pressed for a winner late on, but anything other than a draw would have been unfair on two sides whose attacks are surely their tried-and-tested best forms of defence.
