Wales pay the penalty

Australia celebrate their series whitewash

Alun Wyn Jones secures lineout ball

Will Genia attempts to breakaway from the Wales defence

Wales suffered another late defeat as they went down to a 20-19 defeat to Australia in Sydney.

Another enthralling contest between the two sides - playing against each other for the fifth time in eight months - saw Berrick Barnes land the crucial penalty to clinch the win and a 3-0 series whitewash.

Leigh Halfpenny had looked to have provided the platform for a first Wales win against Australia Down Under in 43 years with 14 points from the boot, while Ryan Jones burrowed over for a try.

Australia, though, once again refused to give up - with Rob Horne's try and 15 points from Berrick Barnes leaving the tourists heartbroken.

It was a tale of the kickers in the first half, with Barnes edging the battle to give the Wallabies 12-9 lead.

Wales were their own worst enemy with their discipline - while the loss of Sam Warburton through injury left them lacking leadership on the field.

Rewarded

However Wales came out firing for the second half and were rewarded for their efforts with a try just after the hour-mark. A series of scrums kept Australia pinned in their 5m line and although Wales failed to get the pushover - or penalty score - they were able to go through the phases, resulting in a try from close range for Jones.

Halfpenny converted to give Wales a 16-12 lead, but their joy was shortlived as Australia hit back immediately, with Horne just getting the ball down in time before it escaped his grasp.

Wales, though, responded brilliantly and Halfpenny's penalty on 71 minutes looked to give Wales the crucial advantage.

However Wales were guilty of conceding a score immediately - with Barnes landing a three-pointer of his own a minute later.

Wales had chances late on, but ill-discipline - something that let them down throughout - and an unlucky bounce of the ball for James Hook meant it was the Wallabies who were celebrating at the final whistle.