/ 16 June 2012

Just wasn’t meant to be for the Welsh against the Wallabies

Will Genia from Australia
Will Genia from Australia

Replacement flyhalf Mike Harris calmly slotted home a penalty goal after the siren to carry Australia to a pulsating 25-23 win over Wales in the second test in Melbourne on Saturday to seal their three-match series.

Harris coolly kicked the ball over from just under 30-metres but on a very tight angle after replacing Berrick Barnes who had missed a penalty minutes earlier to put the Wallabies in front.

Barnes, who had arrived in Melbourne hours before kick-off after celebrating the birth of his first child in Sydney, was nonetheless named man-of-the-match after compiling 17-points and setting up the Wallabies’ sole try to Rob Horne a minute before halftime.

The Wallabies took a 13-7 lead to the break but survived a huge scare in the second 40 minutes as the Welsh pushed desperately, only to be left heartbroken.

Australia won the first match in Brisbane 27-19 and the teams play the third and final test in Sydney next week. — Reuters.