By Hywel Fuller
AUSTRALIA head coach Dave Rennie praised his team’s resilience as they fought back to win 34-39 against shambolic Wales.
“They (Wales) they got momentum early, but I thought we had fantastic impact off the bench,” said Rennie, who has overseen nine defeats this year for the Wallabies.
“We had all of the momentum late in the game and applied pressure through that.”
Australia arrived in Cardiff with a host of injuries to key players, including talisman Michael Hooper.
On the back of just four victories from their last 13 matches, Rennie was under pressure just as his counterpart Wayne Pivac was.
Wales were 21 points ahead at one stage, but Rennie insisted he always felt his team could win.
“I’m the eternal optimist, I felt even in the first half we had a bit of continuity and they looked tired,” he said.
“I felt if we could hold onto the ball for a little while and put some heat on them….”
When Wales extended their lead to 34-13, it looked like the year would end on a bad note for the Wallabies.
🤗 Finishing ‘22 on a high!#Wallabies @eToroAU #WALvAUS pic.twitter.com/Oy6jDD8wwX
— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 26, 2022
But late tries by wing Mark Nawaqanitawase (x2), and Lachlan Lonergan, and a penalty try secured after replacement hooker Ryan Elias pulled down a ruck, completed a brilliant comeback.
Rennie was pleased with the spirit and character that his side showed in the victory.
“Our ability to stay in the fight and keep working hard for each other was key,” he added.
“We haven’t beaten Wales in a while, we got that monkey off our back I guess, but it’s more about the fight within the group.
“Everyone was really clear on the plan, and we came out really strong.”
This win for the Wallabies was very much needed after a mixed tour of the northern hemisphere.
Rennie added: “We had a number of guys who played in the Italy game, and this was a chance for a bit of redemption.
“We’re stoked and it was a nice way to finish off.”