Wallabies cruise away with Wales victory despite Kerevi red card

Sun, Nov 17, 2024, 5:50 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

The Wallabies have kept their Grand Slam hopes alive with a convincing 52-20 win over Wales.

Joe Schmidt's side backed up the win over England as they overcame adversity to produce a spectacular win.

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They took a 19-0 lead and were seriously under threat when Samu Kerevi was red-carded for a high shot after half-time.

This only spurred them on as hooker Matt Faessler crossed for a hat-trick, the first by a Wallabies hooker and all through the rolling maul.

Fullback Tom Wright joined Faessler in hat-trick club with an intercept and a late try to bring up the half-century and pile more misery on the Welsh.

The Wallabies were fast out of the blocks as they picked up from where they left off against England.

Fullback Wright continued his love affair against the Welsh as he stepped his way over for the opener when he beat some soft defence close to the line.

He was followed over by lock Nick Frost when the Wallabies countered superbly through Max Jorgensen and Len Ikitau, unleashing the second rower into space for a 50 metre burst at the line.

When Matt Faessler saluted at the back of the rolling maul, they had a 19-0 lead and control of the match before Wales struck back.

Number eight Aaron Wainwright fired up the Welsh crowd with a spin and try right next to the posts.

A pair of Gareth Anscombe penalty goals had them back in the contest as the Wallabies were forced to scramble to take a 19-13 lead into the break.

The Wallabies’ woes looked set to continue as Kerevi’s 50th game ended in nightmare.

The centre was sent from the field for a high shot on flanker Jac Morgan, upgraded to a red card.

However, this only spurred the Wallabies on as their rolling maul became the most unlikeliest of weapons.

The presence of Will Skelton was clear as Faessler crossed for two tries down a player to control the game and the win.

An intercept to Tom Wright delivered the fullback his second try of the night and dented any hopes of a Welsh comeback.

Centre Len Ikitau capped off a remarkable night for the Wallabies with a try to sentence Wales to their 11th straight defeat, a record for Warren Gatland’s side.

"I think the banana skin got pretty slippery coming toward half-time at 19-13. I was thinking after the 19-0 start that we were hitting our rhythm with a couple of great tries," coach Joe Schmidt said.

"It looked like that was going pretty well in the first quarter, but unfortunately that changed. The one thing that didn't change is the support we're starting to pick up. Coming out of the hotel to come down here, the support that's lined up...even in the stadium we could hear it. 

"There's enough yellow around to really inspire the boys and that's exciting for them because I think we're trying to reciprocate the enthusiasm they're giving us, and I think there was some good enthusiasm out there."

WALLABIES 52

Tries: Wright 3, Frost, Faessler 3, Ikitau

Cons: Lolesio 6/8

WALES 20

Tries: Wainwright, Thomas

Cons: Anscombe 1/1

Pens: Anscombe 2/2, Costelow 1/1

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