Wales 40-6 Australia: Wallabies fall to record Rugby World Cup defeat on dream night for Welsh

A third consecutive victory in Pool C propelled Wales into the knockout stages for a fourth successive World Cup under head coach Warren Gatland.

They are guaranteed to finish top of the group if they beat Georgia next month, setting up a likely quarter-final clash against Argentina in Marseille.

Wales overcame the early loss of injured flyhalf Dan Biggar to Australia in all key departments and at home thanks to tries from scrumhalf Gareth Davies, center Nick Tompkins and captain Jac Morgan , while Biggar, who kicked an early conversion, saw his replacement Gareth Anscombe kick in 23 points.

It was Wales’ record victory over Australia, surpassing a 25-point margin in 1975, and former England manager Jones will have to face the music as the Wallabies head towards oblivion. world Cup.

The Wallabies coach said on Friday he had no doubt Australia would win the match, but Wales forced those words down his throat, with two penalties from Ben Donaldson the only notable plays of the game. Australia.

It was an outstanding display from Gatland’s side who delivered the goods with a performance full of confidence, power and precision.

Gatland named the team that represented Fiji in their opening World Cup match, with second-row Adam Beard winning his 50th cap in a line-out led by flanker Morgan.

Australia made three changes from the team beaten by Fiji last weekend: full-back Andrew Kellaway, scrum-half Tate McDermott and flanker Robert Leota all started.

Wales came out of the blocks and were ahead after just three minutes when Morgan broke through midfield and Davies led a brilliant support line before collecting the pass and diving.

Biggar converted, with Wales immediately asking questions about Australia’s confidence.

The Wallabies then responded with concerted pressure inside the Wales 22, before Biggar took a knock and required treatment and Donaldson fired home a short-range penalty that made it 7-3 .

Biggar was unable to shake off what appeared to be a shoulder problem, being forced off the field after just 12 minutes and replaced by Anscombe.

A second penalty from Donaldson reduced the gap to one point as the Wallabies fought for their World Cup lives.

Anscombe hit the post with a penalty in the 19th minute, but he made no mistake off the tee just two minutes later as Wales took a 10-6 lead.

It was a fast and furious contest, and Wales had to defend resiliently at times as Australia used powerful back-row runners Leota and Rob Valetini.

Anscombe’s second successful penalty 12 minutes before half-time opened up a seven-point gap, then he completed a hat-trick before Wales attacked from halfway and almost broke through the Australian defense through the winger Louis Rees-Zammit.

Wales took a 10-point lead at the break, and it was good value as the prize of a quarter-final place drew closer.

Wales extended their advantage just two minutes into the second half when Australia conceded a penalty at scrum and Anscombe duly obliged with three points.

The Wallabies lineout also began to lose its way, and Wales were turning the screw thanks to a dominant pack led superbly by Morgan and lock Will Rowlands.

And they claimed a second try after 48 minutes when Anscombe’s precise shot over the Australian defensive line led to Tompkins touching down, Anscombe converting to leave the Wallabies 26-6 adrift.

Two more penalties from Anscombe took Wales past 30 points, and they were now almost playing with their hapless opponents.

Australia had no answer in the set-piece zone, with Jones loudly booed every time he appeared on the stadium’s giant screens.

Gatland managed to make the changes through his side with such control, and Anscombe dropped a goal with 10 minutes to go that rubbed salt into Australia’s gaping wounds.

Welsh fans jubilant and Morgan scored the third try from a driven lineout as Gatland’s men cruised to a remarkable crushing triumph.