The Wallabies have secured a hard fought 52-20 win over Wales in Cardiff to record consecutive wins to kick off their Grand Slam Spring Tour.
Hooker Matt Faessler and fullback Tom Wright crossed for hat-tricks as the side made it three wins from three over the Welsh in 2024.
The men in gold played with 14 for 20 minutes after a second-half red card to Samu Kerevi, showing strong character to pull away and earn the victory in the second half.
The visitors were fast out of the blocks as they picked up from where they left off against England.
Fullback Tom Wright stepped his way over for the opener after he found a hold in the defence close to the line.
He was followed over by lock Nick Frost, when the Wallabies countered superbly through Max Jorgensen and Len Ikitau, the second rower showing his athleticism to race 50 metres to the try line.
When Matt Faessler scored from the back of the rolling maul, the Wallabies had a 19-0 lead before Wales struck back.
Number eight Aaron Wainwright fired up the home crowd with a spin and try right next to the posts.
A pair of Gareth Anscombe penalty goals had the hosts back with the momentum, 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 with a yellow card which was later upgraded to red.
However, this only proved to galvanise the Wallabies as they went to their rolling maul.
The presence of Will Skelton making an impact as Faessler crossed for two tries with the team down a player.
An intercept to Tom Wright delivered the fullback his second try of the night before centre Len Ikitau showed fast feet to cross for one of his own and put the side out to 27-point lead late in the game.
Wright then crossed for his first hat-trick at Test level, finishing off a break from scrumhalf Tate McDermott and sealing a famous 52-20 win for the Wallabies, in what is the first time they’ve recorded more than 50 points in Cardiff and the third biggest win ever against Wales.
The side will travel to Edinburgh tomorrow ahead of next Sunday’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Wallabies 52 (Tries: Faessler 3, Wright 3, Frost, Ikitau; Conversions: Lolesio 6) defeated Wales 20 (Tries: Wainwright, Thomas; Conversions: Anscombe, Costelow; Penalties: Anscombe 2)
