Wales take on South Africa in last eight after Australia loss
Australia stop George North in his tracks on a frustrating night for Warren Gatland's side.
©PA
Australia put in a superb defensive effort at Twickenham to beat Wales 15-6 to qualify for the last eight of the World Cup as Pool A winners.
Wales were unable to profit when the Wallabies were reduced to 13 men midway through the second half as Michael Cheika's men stood firm.
Fly-half Bernard Foley kicked all Australia's points with Dan Biggar nudging over two penalties for Wales.
Australia now take on Scotland in the quarter-finals next Sunday, with Wales playing South Africa the day before.
Wales' hoodoo against Australia continued with this latest loss as it was their 11th in a row - a run which stretches back to November 2008.
Warren Gatland's side had their chances to win their fourth game at this World Cup, but were somehow halted by a staggering display of defence.
It was a cagey opening half which was highlighted when Australia opted to take a scrum from the first penalty of the match.
Wales shaded the opening exchanges as Biggar slotted a fourth minute penalty - his 14th successful kick of the tournament.
Both sides were putting in some solid work at the breakdown with Wales dominating early on.
However, Australia showed a response as the half progressed and forced Wales into mistakes leading to two Foley penalties.
Biggar levelled the scores before Foley gave his side a 9-6 advantage at the break.
The game hadn't really sparked into life in the first period, but it was a different story after the interval.
Australia started well and made it 22-6 through Foley again, but Wales had a good spell which lead to Will Genia being shown a yellow card.
He was sent to the sin-bin for not retreating 10 meters before tackling the clever Gareth Davies. Second-row Dean Mumm joined him moments later.
Wales were now in the ascendancy, but could not dent the yellow wall in front of them.
Number Eight Taulupe Faletau and centre George North were both held up over the Australian line as Wales continued to go for power rather than width.
It was as if Wales panicked and tried to score the hard way rather than relaxing at the breakdown and being patient.
The 13 men of Australia continued to battle hard and after weathering the storm, were rewarded when Foley slotted a fifth penalty to give his side a two score advantage with just eight minutes remaining.
However, Wales just couldn't get it together which was emphasised when winger Alex Cuthbert was sin-binned for a blatant deliberate knock on three minutes from time as Australia's sensational defending had cliched them victory.
Line-ups
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore (capt), Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Scott Fardy, Sean McMahon, David Pocock
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau , James Slipper , Greg Holmes , Rob Simmons , Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps for Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale .
Pens: Foley (5)
Wales: Gareth Anscombe; Alex Cuthbert, George North, Jamie Roberts, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Paul James, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens , Aaron Jarvis, Tomas Francis, Ross Moriarty, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland , James Hook. Jake Ball.
Pens: Biggar (2)
