Wales, Wallabies in draw

CARDIFF – Wales and Australia fought out a dramatic 29-29 draw at the Millennium Stadium here on Saturday as a see-saw match ended in the first tie between the two countries in 24 meetings.

The match, all square heading into the final 10 minutes, was unable to produce a winner after Wales had fought back from 17-6 down only to fall behind again to man of the match Chris Latham’s brilliant solo try. Australia scored four tries to Wales’s two.But Wales were forced to play most of the match without new captain Stephen Jones after the flyhalf went off in the 24th minute.Latham admitted to being a bit deflated by the result.”I was thinking we were going to win when I scored the try,” he said.”But to be honest I am disappointed as we came on this tour to win all seven matches and we have ended up with a draw here.”But we just have to go back and look at our own individual performances.”Wallabies captain Phil Waugh agreed with Latham’s assessment.”I am very disappointed as we started well but we tailed off.We have let ourselves down,” commented the efferevescent flanker.Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, still searching for his first win in charge of the national side after two defeats in Argentina, added: “A draw was a fair result.It was a roller-coaster performace.”We didn’t touch the ball for 20 minutes.We had no possession, they kept us under the cosh.We had to defend and we didn’t do that particularly well.”We showed character then to come back into the game.”Australia face Italy next week and Wales are at home to the Pacific Islanders.Nampa-AFPAustralia scored four tries to Wales’s two.But Wales were forced to play most of the match without new captain Stephen Jones after the flyhalf went off in the 24th minute.Latham admitted to being a bit deflated by the result.”I was thinking we were going to win when I scored the try,” he said.”But to be honest I am disappointed as we came on this tour to win all seven matches and we have ended up with a draw here.”But we just have to go back and look at our own individual performances.”Wallabies captain Phil Waugh agreed with Latham’s assessment.”I am very disappointed as we started well but we tailed off.We have let ourselves down,” commented the efferevescent flanker.Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, still searching for his first win in charge of the national side after two defeats in Argentina, added: “A draw was a fair result.It was a roller-coaster performace.”We didn’t touch the ball for 20 minutes.We had no possession, they kept us under the cosh.We had to defend and we didn’t do that particularly well.”We showed character then to come back into the game.”Australia face Italy next week and Wales are at home to the Pacific Islanders.Nampa-AFP