Rio Dyer of Wales is tackled by Pete Samu of Australia. (Photo by Huw Fairclough/Getty Images)
Australia came from 34-13 down to beat Wales 39-34 in an extraordinary Autumn Nations Series Test at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, adding more pressure on home coach Wayne Pivac.
Two tries from 22-year-old Australian wing and man of the match Mark Nawaqanitawase sparked the comeback that ended a three-match losing streak on tour, including a historic loss to Italy.
The heartbreaking loss for the hosts could be a blow for Pivac, who ends the year with just three wins from 12 games, including a first loss to Georgia last weekend.
It was the hosts who calmed their nerves by taking a 17-6 lead in 23 minutes with two well-worked tries.
Alun Wyn Jones showed there was still life from Test in the old legs, as the 37-year-old’s block produced a delicious offload to Jac Morgan, who ran in to land: Gareth Anscombe converted for 7-3.
The Welsh extended their lead when a smooth passing move found veteran winger Taulupe Faletau on the right wing and managed to bring the ball down before it came into touch to mark his 100th Test for both Wales and the British and Irish Lions.
Anscombe converted brilliantly from the touchline and then added another penalty to put the hosts up 20-6 just before the half hour mark.
Tempers were fraying on the Wallabies side when Len Ikitau had a few choice words with Ben Donaldson, but it was Nawaqanitawase who offered them hope.
The easy-to-spot winger with a tuft of curls appeared in the center and broke through the Welsh defence, but the move missed with a touch.
This newfound confidence paid off, however, when Folau Fainga’a was forced and Ben Donaldson converted to lead the visitors on a converted attempt to level the game.
However, they were on their heels again soon after when Matthew Carley showed an incredulous Jake Gordon a yellow card for a deliberate touch.
The second period started out terribly for the Wallabies.
Replacement prop Tom Robertson barely had time to warm up his hands before warming up the bench without bin – Carley was running out of patience with the Wallabies’ persistent offensives in the scrum.
The hosts made the most of it as Morgan scored his second try and Anscombe with minimal fuss added the extras for 27-13.
Robertson was still off the pitch – Gordon had returned – when Anscombe set up Rio Dyer to go off around the left corner.
The incomparable Anscombe converted for 34-13.
Anscombe’s day ended minutes later when he had to retire with a shoulder injury after bringing down Ned Hanigan.
The Wallabies looked down and out, but Nawaqanitawase led the remarkable comeback when he went down in the corner.
The Wallabies should have had another one with 14 minutes to go when Pete Samu intercepted a Rhys Priestland pass at midfield and had an open field in front of him.
However, the Welsh captain, Justin Tipuric, stuck out a leg to bring him down.
Carley sent it to the dump: Tipuric nervously eyed the scoreboard as he ran off.
Well, you might be nervous as the visitors scored a try immediately. Nawaqanitawase scored his second: Lolesio converted for 34-25.
The Wallabies got within two points with just over six minutes to go when the replacement hooker joined Tupuric in the no-bin and Carley conceded a converted penalty attempt for 34-32.
His joy overflowed when with Nawaqanitawase back in front in attack Lachlan Lonergan passed and Lolesio added the conversion to complete the comeback.
