The Wallabies have made it two wins in a row for the first time since 2021, beating Wales 36-28 in pouring rain at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Australia continued their positive start to the Joe Schmidt era with a storming start on Saturday night, leading 17-0 after 25 minutes, but had to survive a comeback from inspirational Welsh captain Dewi Lake.
The Wallabies led 23-14 at halftime, but their lead was reduced to just two points early in the second half when Welsh winger Liam Williams exposed a porous defence and scored.
But Brumbies star Allan Alaalatoa provided fresh momentum from the bench, scoring his first international try to give the Wallabies some breathing room at 28-21.
A serious ball-handling error, which led to winger Filipo Daugunu’s second try in the 67th minute, seemed to have sealed the result for the Wallabies.
But Williams capitalised on a blocked kick from Nic White, giving Wales one last chance to secure their first win against the Wallabies in Australia since 1969.
The hosts converted a penalty to beat Wales’ best efforts and repeat their 25-16 victory in Sydney last week.
The Welsh, who crushed the Wallabies at last year’s World Cup, continuing the nightmare led by Eddie Jones, suffered their ninth consecutive defeat.
The scoring couldn’t have started better: A lob from Andrew Kellaway enabled a storming run from flanker Fraser McReight.
The Queensland Reds star stormed down almost the entire length of the pitch before passing the ball to Filipo Daugunu, who completed a superb try.
Halfback Jake Gordon’s performance was equally entertaining: in the 24th minute he grabbed a loose ball and broke through the Welsh defense.
Wallabies player Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was sent to the penalty box for a high hit on Welsh prop Archie Griffin, who was taken off the field for examination of a head injury.
Melbourne-born winger Rob Valetini put in a great performance in front of his home fans and was named the Wallabies’ Man of the Match.
Man Mountain Lake was everywhere, crossing the finish line twice in the first half, including a rolling maul shortly before halftime.
The Wallabies return to Sydney next Saturday night to face Georgia in their final test before the Rugby Championship season begins against world champions South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on August 10.