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Rugby World Cup 2019 | Wales defeat Wallabies 29-25 in heartbreaking World Cup battle

The Wallabies have romped back into their World Cup match against Wales but it was too little too late in a heartbreaker that ended a 32-year record.

Adam Ashley-Cooper scores his 39th try for Australia.
Adam Ashley-Cooper scores his 39th try for Australia.

Wales are almost certain of claiming the top place in the pool D after a thrilling 29-25 win over the Wallabies at the World Cup in Japan. 

Australia came into the match with an incredible record against Wales, having won 13 of the last 14 matches between the teams and five of the six matches between the teams in a World Cup.

In fact, the World Cup record against Wales went back to the 1987 competition when Wales won 22-21 in the third place playoff.

It's also continued the close battles between the teams with only one game in the 13 before tonight won by over 10 points.

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It was a heartbreaker for the Wallabies, who went to half-time down 23-8 after a controversial finish to the half.

A penalty against the Wallabies while in possession of the ball against Samu Kerevi was reviewed with Wales kicking a penalty goal, before Welsh flyhalf Gareth Davies claimed an intercept for a 10 point swing.

Vision appeared to have the Welsh star offside but the try held as the referee didn't review the decision.

Davis must be the fastest man on earth
Davis must be the fastest man on earth

An early field goal in the second half appeared to make it out of reach for Australia at 26-8 but the Wallabies dug deep.

Tries to Dane Haylett-Petty and Michael Hooper, as well as two conversions and a penalty made it a one-point ball game but the Wallabies couldn't make the killer blow.

A Welsh penalty goal with nine minutes left pushed Wales to a four-point lead with Australia unable to get across the line.

Wallabies legend Phil Kearns said "it was the mistakes in the first half that the Wallabies made that cost them the game".

Kearns lashed the refereeing in the first half as "disgraceful" and said post match it was a shame "that story of refereeing is going to be the story of this match, not the brilliance of both teams".

A disappointed Michael Hooper said the Wallabies gave the Welsh too many points to chase down.

As for the refereeing, he said "some big calls there, some went our way, some didn't, we've got to pick ourselves back up".

Welsh captain Alun Wynn Jones claimed his 130th Test cap for Wales and simply thanked the crowd for their support.

Wallabies captain Michael Cheika said was fuming after the game and stopped himself from criticising the referes.

"Any positives we take, we'll keep to ourselves," he said. "We were looking good in the scrum tonight and got penalised. I'm not sure, maybe Australia's not allowed to scrum any good. I'll keep it to myself." 

Wales' wing Joshua Adams is tackled by Australia's full back Dane Haylett-Petty
Wales' wing Joshua Adams is tackled by Australia's full back Dane Haylett-Petty

Fox Sports commentator Rod Kafer said he loved how the Wallabies fought their way back into the game but highlighted a downside.

"What I didn't like was in the last moments of the game, the last 15 minutes, they didn't back themselves," Kafer said.

"This team has been a team that has backed themselves rain, hail or shine, they have a go. I would have liked to see a kick to the corner, I often like to see the points but I also would have liked them to hold the ball and just run and attack and attack and attack and attack and attack and don't die wondering."

Relive today's action with the live blog below.

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2019 | Wales defeat Wallabies 29-25 in heartbreaking World Cup battle

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup-2019/rugby-world-cup-2019-wallabies-vs-wales/live-coverage/90f253e0f4b49b2c7b40116704ff686a