Wales coach Warren Gatland claimed Australia were the 'hungrier' side after watching the Wallabies record a 33-12 victory in Cardiff.
'Desperate' Wallabies show too much fight for Welsh
Wales coach Warren Gatland claimed Australia were the 'hungrier' side after watching the Wallabies record a 33-12 victory in Cardiff.
The hosts were outplayed in all areas of the game as the tourists came out looking to put last week's 9-8 defeat at Murrayfield firmly behind them.
They scored four tries from Digby Ioane, James Horwill, David Pocock and Tatafu Polota-Nau, including three in a blistering 16-minute first-half spell, from which Wales never fully recovered.
It was their heaviest defeat since Gatland took the helm after the World Cup in 2007 and he admitted it was a poor effort.
"That was the most disappointing performance since I've been in charge of Wales," said Gatland.
Aggressive
"Australia dominated the air, defensively it was one of the best displays seen by an Australian side. At scrum time they were strong, in the contact they were aggressive and strong.
"We are disappointed by the number of turnovers, we failed to capitalise on a few opportunities, we played against team that was a little more desperate and hungrier than we were."
Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards admitted the Wallabies had taught them a lesson in defence and in the contact area.
"Some of our tackling in the first half was very disappointing. This was my worst day with Wales so far," said Edwards.
"Australia's defence was magnificent. The tackler was incredibly proactive and it wasn't just the back row but from one to 15. Even the scrum-half was very dynamic over the ball. That is the modern game - the aerial battle and the breakdown, two areas we came second."
Stoked
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans suggested Wales may have been guilty of underestimating the Wallabies after their Murrayfield nightmare - but he was more delighted by the electric response from his own side.
"We are stoked this group took the step they did today. We have been waiting for it to come and we have been close but the boys got it done today," he said.
"You play Test rugby on the day. There is just no point in trying to connect the dots between matches. A week is a long time in this game as we have just seen.
"I give a lot of credit to our blokes for making it happen. Also, maybe Wales underestimated us. Maybe they saw we came up short against Scotland and thought we were there for the taking.
"It doesn't matter. The Test was played today and we got up and it was a good effort."
