Wales ………….. 31
Australia…….. 24
Wales beat Australia in dramatic fashion with Kate Williams going over in the final play to record a first victory over Australia in seven attempts and give them confidence ahead of their WXV2 opener against the Wallaroos in eight days in Cape Town.
Tabua Tuinakauvadra’s late effort looked to have salvaged a draw for Australia but Williams crashed over from a driving maul to seal victory.
Australia wing Maya Stewart scored the first try after three minutes. Wales hit back when captain Carys Cox’s strong carry got field position and scrum-half Keira Bevan dummied and sniped over to level.
Australia looked to have re-taken the lead with a superb solo effort from Ashley Marsters, but it was ruled out after replays showed she was in front of the ball at the breakdown.
Wales used their driving maul for replacement hooker Molly Reardon to score in the 49th minute to take the lead for the first time. Another replacement, back row Alisha Joyce-Butchers, extended the lead from the back of a ruck.
Australia’s 18-year-old full-back Caitlyn Halse scored in the 67th minute, with Stewart the provider, but Reardon grabbed her second with the driving lineout again achieving success.
No.8 Tuinakauvadra crashed over, with a conversion from Arabella McKenzie levelling the scores, but Wales kept their calm and flanker Williams barged over.
Rosie Carr has been ruled out of Wales’ WXV squad after damaging her shoulder.
TEAMS
WALES: Hesketh, Joyce, Cox, Lake, Metcalfe, George, Bevan, Pyrs, Carr, Tuipulotu, Fleming, Evans, King, Williams, Lewis Replacements: Reardon, Constable, Rose, John, Butchers, Jones, Powell, Keight
AUSTRALIA: Halse, Stewart, Friedrichs, Pomare, Miller, Mole-ka, Morgan, O’Gorman, Naden, Karpani, Leaney, Leonard, Palu, Marsters, Tuinakauvadra Replacements: Molloy, Ngauamo, Kavoa, Lafai, Dinnen, Wright, McKenzie, Cramer
