Seven penalties from fullback Matthew Burke secured a 21-13 win for Australia over Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, as the Wallabies finally registered their first win over Six Nations opposition on their disappointing European tour.
It was far from a vintage Wallaby performance after going into half-time at only 9-3 up, and even their total dominance in the forwards during the second half could not mask the fact that Wales got the only try of the day from this largely dire spectacle.
Both sides went into the game with a mood of pessimism surrounding their recent exploits, the Wallabies aiming to lay the ghosts to rest from defeats against France and England, and Wales yearning to defy the odds and give coach Graham Henry a break from the barrage of criticism directed at the Kiwi of late.
Both can partly rest assured that those goals were reached, but if the world champions are to mount a serious tilt at retaining their Tri-Nations title next year, then the identity crisis blighting their play during this game for early periods needs to be addressed hastily.
Matt Burke was the executioner for Eddie Jones' men, his seven penalties rewarding what was, in the main, a scrappy yet muscular display, against a Wales side which always looked to have a bullet in the barrel with Iestyn Harris, Kevin Morgan and a rejuvnated Gareth Thomas, but lacking the trigger finger to effect the killer blow at the vital moments.
Replacement flanker Gavin Thomas saved at least some face when he rumbled over in injury-time for the game's only try, after yet more quick thinking from Rob Howley, as he tapped and went from a short range penalty, before offloading to Bath youngster Thomas, spinning over the line and placing the ball down after brushing the post pads.
With much attention down Cardiff way again directed at Rugby League convert Iestyn Harris in the Welsh centres, the crowd were restricted to two penalties and an easy conversion as his space was cut down by Owen Finegan and Toutai Kefu in the loose, and by Elton Flatley and Graeme Bond from the set piece.
Physicality certainly wasn't lacking, with Wallaby lock David Giffin dispatched to the sin bin as early as seven minutes into the game after some over-zealous rucking.
Wales got their only lead of the game when Harris' eighth-minute penalty flew over, but three from Burke before the interval put paid to any immediate Welsh challenge.
Burke advanced his side further early in the second half with another after Lions hooker Robin McBryde's indiscretion in the ruck, the Llanelli man getting stuck into Wallaby captain George Gregan, who marshalled his pack in typically vocal and sniping style throughout, despite the attentions of Colin Charvis and Brett Sinkinson in open field.
One penalty apiece for Burke and Harris took the score to 15-6 with 20 minutes left, and Australia were harshly denied a try from Joe Roff after he intercepted a chip-and-chase by the recalled Wayne Proctor on the wing.
English referee Steve Lander brought play back for a previous Wallaby infringement as Roff jogged unopposed into the Welsh try area, but the length of advantage allowed by the official had some in the stadium scratching their heads as Wales were let off the hook.
Australia's vast territorial dominance in the second half made them the more likely to score a try, despite Wales stringing some impressive passing moves together, offloading well in the tackle at times, but trying too hard to force the crucial pass when perhaps a dose of composure may have been the better option.
Two more Burke penalties took the Australians into an unassailable lead, and despite Gavin Thomas barging over under the posts for a try with the last kick of the game, the result was never in too much doubt.
Plus points for both coaches then from this encounter.
Most importantly a return to winning ways for a clearly victory-thirsty Wallaby XV. Also the sharpness of fit-again Ben Tune on the Wallaby wing bodes well, despite the Queenslander being starved of ball for much of the afternoon.
Owen Finegan and Toutai Kefu were typically big-hitting upfront, and although coach Jones has work to do, the foundations of his side showed they are prepared to grind out a result when called upon to do so.
Graham Henry's Wales saved face with their renewed desire, audibly appreciated by the majority of those in the stadium after recent embarassments.
Put into perspective, they never conceded a try against the supposed best team in the world, and had it not been for their numerous kickable penalties conceded, the scoreline could have been even more heartening.
Man of the match: Owen Finegan. A game with so much ball limited to the tight exchanges was always going to produce a man of the match from the forwards, and with the nature of the Wallaby pack's performance in the second half, it had to be an Australian. Pretty much a toss-up between Toutai Kefu and Finegan, as both asserted their considerable physical attributes in a spoiling and yard-gaining capacity, but Finegan just shades it.
Moment of the match: Burke's third penalty. An endictment of the match is the fact that the most crucial moment was a kick, but had Matt Burke not nailed this first-half injury-time penalty, then his side would have only gone into the interval with a 6-3 lead. He did though, and never looked back.
Villain of the match: David Giffin. The match had plenty of scuffles, but the only one showing comparative intent to damage was Giffin's stamping in the seventh minute, for which he was rightly sin-binned. There were a few punches thrown in the open field, but mainly handbags at the breakdown. Andy Moore was sin-binned for Wales near the end for getting carried away with the fisticuffs, but Giffin's offence was more premeditated.
Sin bin: Giffin (Aus, 7 mins), Moore (Wal, 81 mins) Harrison (Aus, 81 mins)
The teams:
Australia: 1 Ben Darwin, 2 Michael Foley, 3 Nic Stiles, 4 Matt Cockbain, 5 David Giffin, 6 Owen Finegan, 7 Phil Waugh, 8 Toutai Kefu, 9 George Gregan (c), 10 Steve Larkham, 11 Joe Roff, 12 Elton Flatley, 13 Graeme Bond, 14 Ben Tune, 15 Matthew Burke
Reserves: Brendan Cannon, Chris Latham, Rod Moore, Chris Whitaker, Justin Harrison, George Smith, Steve Kefu
Wales: 1 Spencer John, 2 Robin McBryde, 3 Darren Morris, 4 Ian Gough, 5 Andrew Moore, 6 Colin Charvis, 7 Brett Sinkinson, 8 Scott Quinnell (c), 9 Rob Howley, 10 Stephen Jones, 11 Wayne Proctor, 12 Iestyn Harris, 13 Jamie Robinson, 14 Gareth Thomas, 15 Kevin Morgan
Reserves: Duncan Jones, Gavin Thomas, Rhys Williams, Barry Williams, Chris Wyatt, Unused Dwayne Peel, Andy Marinos
Referee: Lander s.
Points Scorers:
Australia
Pen K.: Burke M.C. 7
Wales
Tries: Thomas G. 1
Conv: Harris I. 1
Pen K.: Harris I. 2
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