‘Does it get any better than that?’: 100m Wallabies try blows rugby world away

The Joe Schmidt era is off to a cracking start for the Wallabies, sweeping the two-Test series against Wales with a stunning all-time try.

Daugunu had a great double. Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP

The Wallabies have swept Wales to remain unbeaten two matches into the Joe Schmidt era, claiming a hard-fought 36-28 win in trying conditions in Melbourne.

The result continues an impressive winning streak for the Wallabies against Wales, having not lost a Test between the nations on Australian soil since 1969.

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While it was a hard, grinding match that is far from the finished product, it was a positive result for the Wallabies to claim the victory and retain the James Bevan Trophy.

Similarly, Wales are in a rebuilding phase themselves, having now lost nine straight matches — just short of the nation’s all-time record 11-match losing streak between November 2002 and August 2003.

There were moments to give Australian fans hope and in the seventh minute, Wallabies fans got a taste of just what this team can do.

With nothing much happening as the Wallabies had their backs up against their own line, a wayward pass put even more pressure on winger Andrew Kellaway.

But the speedster showed a flash of brilliance, bouncing out of a tackle before kicking for himself.

Chasing the kick, he knocked it down for flanker Fraser McReight to streak away, drawing in the only Welsh chaser before passing to opposite winger Filipo Daugunu.

It was an incredible play in a near 100m stunner that had fans and commentators alike on their feet.

“Does it get any better than that for the Wallabies?” Tim Horan said on Stan Sport.

“They were in enormous trouble on the back foot, they go 100m here the Wallabies.

“What a try by Australia, 100m.”

Justin Harrison said: “Fantastic to see great urgency and reaction time. A great turnover try and a great example of the counterattacking ability of this team.”

Former Wallabies star Quade Cooper posted: “What a try!!! Up the lads …”

ABC commentator Brett McKay said: “This was some try!”

Rugby coach Brett Igoe commented: “Not the most typical Joe Schmidt try …. but not bad.”

Another fan posted: “That’s rugby IQ from Aus. Kellaway saw the space and nailed it.”

Another called it a “try of the season contender”, while it was also labelled “insane”.

The Wallabies opened up a 17-0 lead after 25 minutes but then opened the door for the Welsh, with hooker Dewi Lake scoring a double to keep Wales in the match.

The second try made the most of a 14-man Wallabies after lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was handed a yellow card in controversial scenes.

You can't say the Welsh forward didn't drop. Photo: Channel 9

Play was initially allowed to continue before the TMO got involved, seeing the Aussies down to 14-men just before the break.

A review had the Wallabies worried that it may have been upgraded to a red after it was sent to the Bunker.

One fan said: “A yellow card because the Welsh prop dropped his height & headbutted the Aussie shoulder. Poor reffing, poor law!”

Another added: “That’s never a yellow card.”

“Rubbish yellow card leads to Wales try,” another wrote.

Regardless, the Wallabies took a 23-14 lead to the break before Liam Williams cut the lead to just two as the Welsh winger scored an easy try.

Great stuff Wallabies! Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

But Australia hit back as Allan Alaalatoa barged over to make it a seven-point ball game again.

Daugunu then scored his second try, chasing up a touch finding kick that was kept in, latching onto the loose ball to race away to make it a 12-point lead.

Wales weren’t about to give up, scoring again to cut the lead, but a penalty goal with three minutes left for Australia wrapped up a hard-fought victory.

It was an important match for the Wallabies as a loss would have seen them drop to 11th on the world rankings for the first time in history.

It’s the first time since 2014 and a three-Test tour by France that the Wallabies have gone undefeated in a head-to-head series.

The Wallabies will next face Georgia in a one-off Test before the start of the Rugby Championship a fortnight later.

Originally published as ‘Does it get any better than that?’: 100m Wallabies try blows rugby world away