Wales suffer Melbourne misery

Replacement Mike Harris kicked a penalty after time had expired to grab a thrilling 25-23 victory for Australia over a crestfallen Wales in the second Test in Melbourne.

Wales gave the Aussies a real fight in Melbourne after a fast start but lapses at the end of each half eventually cost them the chance to bring home a memorable victory.

Leading 23-22 heading into the closing minute, Wales opted to kick the ball away but then promptly gave away a penalty that enabled the hosts to kick the ball back into opposition territory.

A rolling maul ensued, and then the seemingly inevitable penalty came and Harris kept his cool superbly to slot it over from the left hand touchline and stick a dagger through Welsh hearts.

Sam Warburton's side had started the game brilliantly with towering winger George North diving over by the posts after just four minutes, but a Rob Horne try sent the Aussies in 13-7 ahead at half time.

Response

Again Wales started brightly from the re-start and Jonathan Davies scampered on to meet his own kick to touch down for Wales' second try, which was converted by Leigh Halfpenny.

There was plenty of effort and toil from both sides, who swapped penalties from Berrick Barnes and Halfpenny to keep Wales holding just the narrowest of margins at 17-16.

The hosts then took control as they turned over a Welsh scrum and ran through 18 phases of possession as they set up camp deep inside opposition territory.

Although Wales prevented Australia from crossing the line, Barnes did put his side back in front when he slotted a penalty for a Welsh offside.

In what should have turned the match in Wales' favour, Australia winger Cooper Vuna was sin-binned on the hour mark as he tackled Halfpenny in the air - with the Welshman catching his breath to kick over the penalty from 40 metres for a 20-19 lead.

Wasted

Wales failed to make their man advantage count though, with just another Halfpenny penalty coming whilst Australia were down to 14 - while the hosts themselves managed to get another three points on the board with a fifth Barnes penalty.

Back with a full compliment of players, Australia forced the issue and Gethin Jenkins was pinged for an infringement at the scrum giving Barnes the chance to take the lead again with just five minutes left to play.

However, the fly-half pulled his kick and promptly limped off with an injury that looked to have hampered his efforts to give Australia the win.

Entering the final minute, Wales had the ball and a one-point lead but they opted to kick the ball deep instead of running the clock down with the forwards, which turned out to be a huge mistake as they gave away a penalty and replacement Harris booted the ball back to the Welsh 22.

The drive was soon on from the lineout and, after the clock ticked down to zero, with Wales back-peddling they brought down the maul and the penalty gave Harris the chance to win the game for Australia.

Despite not having much time on the pitch, Harris made no mistake as he nailed his kick and was mobbed by a jubilant Australia team after pinching a pulsating victory and sinking Welsh hearts right at the death.