Wales's Autumn Internationals

The autumn internationals came to a fittingly suspense filled finale. Wales vs Australia was a game with many scores to settle. The Australians were looking to get their own back on 10 Welshmen who beat them so convincingly in the final test for the British and Irish Lions only 5 months ago. Wales on the other hand were looking to avenge 8 closely fought defeats against their southern enemies.

Sadly for Wales the autumn series ended as it began, in defeat. The Australians beat Wales in the final international game of the series, leaving the Welsh with a familiar feeling of so close, yet so far. Another defeat to the southern hemisphere’s super powers that leaves Wales looking forward to recapturing the Six Nations title and aim for an historic 3-in-a-row that hasn’t been done since Italy joined the tournament in 2000.

The Autumn series began with a half-decent performance against South Africa that left Wales’ bodies in tatters, quite literally, with numerous injuries. Wales came close and put in a gutsy performance but could not squeeze enough out of the tank to overcome the Springboks. South Africa’s more potent attack meant they outscored their hosts 3 tries to 0 and with it sealed a victory that their performance deserved. Wales stuck at their task but were restricted to 5 Leigh Halfpenny penalties, the 9 point losing margin reflecting the difference between the teams.

What next for the Welsh? Argentina came knocking, and they were well and truly put to the sword. A ruthless and rampant Wales team crossed for four tries and could have arguably scored more in a complete and rounded display. The Argentinians were simply blown away from the first whistle to the last. 4 tries and a 34 point winning margin made up for the disappointment of the week before and left the public hoping that a long awaited victory over Australia was on the cards.

Sadly that enthusiasm and optimism was emphatically dampened by a dour, uninspiring display against a spirited Tonga team. Wales were expected to better the score they put on the Argentinian team, but a toothless attack saw the final margin of 17-7 truly show that a pointless second half, both metaphorically and in reality, left Wales with a lot of work to do before facing the Wallabies.

And so on to the showpiece event. The much anticipated Australia clash. It couldn’t have started much better, with Wales 10-0 up inside 12 minutes. Wales could sadly not hold out. Australia, through an inspired Quade Cooper, showed their true class and outplayed the Welsh in attack. Their 3 tries compared to Wales, with George North’s 2, created a winning margin of 4 points, another agonisingly close defeat for Wales. The game could have been so different if some questionable refereeing decisions had been different but that is better left to bar room banter and debate as the record books ultimately show another Wales defeat.

And so now we look forward to the 2014 6 Nations tournament, beginning on 1^st February with a home fixture against the Italians. This will be a game the Welsh will be eagerly anticipating no doubt, hoping to put in a performance full of confidence, banishing the demons of this autumn and another missed opportunity.

Author: Shop Rugby is one of Wales’ leading rugby retailers stocking the latest official rugby shirts from the world’s leading teams. Buy online at ShopRugby.com.