Wales 28 Australia 33
Wales’ excruciating agony against the southern hemisphere heavyweights continued in Cardiff as they suffered a 10th successive loss to 2015 World Cup pool opponents Australia.
The Wallabies’ 33-28 victory means that Wales have now gone 21 Tests in a row without beating Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, which hardly augurs well for a tilt at global glory next autumn.
First-half tries by Israel Folau (two) and Tevita Kuridrani sent Michael Cheika's side on their way, although they were matched blow for blow during a madcap opening period when Wales claimed touchdowns from scrumhalf Rhys Webb, wing Alex Cuthbert and lock Alun-Wyn Jones, making it 21-21 at the break.
A 64th-minute penalty try then edged Wales back in front, but Wallabies outhalf Bernard Foley added a late drop-goal and penalty to give him 18 points – he earlier booted three conversions and two previous penalties – to leave the home side crestfallen.
Wales' four successful conversions were shared by three players – fullback Leigh Halfpenny (two), outhalf Dan Biggar and replacement Rhys Priestland – but once again, it was ultimately not to be.
And there was also a double injury concern for Wales as Halfpenny went off 10 minutes before half-time and Biggar limped out of the action ahead of remaining autumn appointments with Fiji, world champions New Zealand and South Africa.
Wales included wing George North in the centre after injuries sidelined Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams, while Dan Lydiate gained a backrow start despite his relative lack of match action with French club Racing Metro this season.
Australia, meanwhile, handed a Test debut to Melbourne Rebels flanker Sean McMahon, with number eight Ben McCalman also starting as the Wallabies played their first full international since suffering an agonising 29-28 defeat against world champions New Zealand three weeks ago.
Wales had vowed to blast out of the blocks, and so it proved as they stunned Australia through a third-minute try.
Clever link work between Biggar and Halfpenny set up an opportunity for skipper Sam Warburton, who made inroads, before Webb foxed Australia's defence through a neat dummy and he enjoyed an unopposed run to the line.
Halfpenny added the conversion but Australia quickly found their rhythm and they prospered from quick possession as skipper Michael Hooper smashed through Biggar's attempted tackle and set up Folau for his 16th try in 26 Tests, with Foley converting.
There was more to come from Folau, though, and he scored Australia's second try midway through a frenetic first half when he intercepted Webb's pass intended for wing Liam Williams and sprinted 80 metres to claim a gift touchdown that Foley converted.
Wales could have gone into their shell after such a quickfire double setback, yet they produced an exhilarating response and were level within four minutes after North broke clear from 60 metres out and sent Cuthbert in for the fourth touchdown of a lung-busting tussle.
Halfpenny’s conversion tied things up but back came Australia with another soft try from Wales’ perspective as Kuridrani bisected a weak joint effort from Jones and Cuthbert to touch down between the posts, with Foley again converting.
Wales’ defence had been a strong point throughout much of head coach Warren Gatland’s reign, but not on this occasion as Australia seemed capable of scoring every time they got within sight of the opposition line.
Halfpenny was hurt in the build-up to Australia's third score, appearing to be concussed, with Cardiff Blues centre Cory Allen taking over from him which meant North reverting to the wing and Williams filling in at fullback.
And Wales drew level again during first-half injury time after Warburton took a quick penalty and Jones emerged from under a forward rush to claim the touchdown before Biggar’s conversion made it 21-21.
A 43rd-minute Foley penalty edged Australia ahead and Biggar then limped off nursing a suspected groin problem, which meant an early second-half introduction for Scarlets outhalf Priestland.
A further Foley penalty stretched Australia’s advantage to six points, but Wales had no intention of lying down and they upped the ante through their forwards as Gatland used his bench cleverly by sending on prop Gethin Jenkins and hooker Scott Baldwin.
Australia could not cope with a series of scrums in the shadow of their own posts, and referee Craig Joubert awarded a penalty try when the Wallabies collapsed one scrum too many, with Priestland's conversion edging Wales back in front.
But Foley then dropped a goal with seven minutes left and added another penalty as Australia successfully wound down the clock to claim yet another close-fought triumph at Wales’ expense.
