FULL-TIME, WALES 40-6 AUSTRALIA! Wales are through to the quarters, while Australia are almost certainly heading home. FULL-TIME, WALES 40-6 AUSTRALIA! Wales are through to the quarters, while Australia are almost certainly heading home. AN incredible, brilliant and truly stirring rugby performance from Wales top obliterate an Australian side that wasn't short of muscle in defence and attack… but they kept on making mistakes. For Wales, one of their all-time great performances, and this will set them up beautifully for the quarter-final… could this be their year? Thanks for enjoying the action with us, and enjoy your Heritage Day long weekend if you're in South Africa.

A last-gasp bash by Australia sees the Wallabies cross the line, but the ref rules that the ball is held up… he looks at his watch… time is up in the match and time is definitely up for the Aussies… and he raises the whistle to his lips…

Anscombe misses with the conversion but no-one will be concerned.

TRY, WALES, MORGAN! 40-6; The skipper at the heart of that maul as it crashed over for the try.

Anscombe threads a beutiful penalty kick into the corner for a lineout. The Welsh take the ball way at the back and the pack just powers Australia back and then collapse over the line, the ref blowing his whistle as he raises his arm…

THAT'S BETTER! Australia run the line much better but Tompkins goes in high with the tackle and it's an Australian penalty on the 10m… the kick to touch… NOOOOOO! It's too deep and we're going back to scrum with Wales to feed the ball… and Australian fans will have to hold back the tears as streams of yellow and gold are seen threading their way around the crowd as the Aussie fans show they have had enough and start to leave in numbers. This is a truly tough pill for all Australians to swallow.

Australia push forward past the Welsh 10m, but Wales control the ball, run it right, there's a deliberate knock-on tackle… the play continues but the ref eventually calls them back and it's a Welsh penalty on their 10m line. It's just not going Australia's way tonight…

DROP-KICK, WALES, ANSCOMBE! 35-6; That's just too cheeky, rubbing salt into the Aussie wounds… Anscombe waits behind the scrum inside the Aussies 22… pass comes back and he pops it through the posts. That will hurt the Aussies that little bit extra.

OH, TAKE THAT AUSSIES!

The scrum is in front of poles, Wales run it right, Anscombe propelling a long ball to the wing, where the teams ruck… the ball comes back to Wales, who run it left… now left again… ruck… send it right, then left… Wales now getting in each other's way as they try to break through the Aussie line…

Wales press up to Australia's 5m, their forward pounding and pounding away, but Australia pull the ball away, try to run the ball but get themselves in a mess and Wales pile onto the ball to win the scrum.

Nawaqanitawase gets the ball and drives down the line, but he's grabbed by two Welshmen, tries to offload a pass but his mobility is hampered by a Welsh jersey and the ball scuttles out for a Welsh lineout.

Wales kick into the Aussie 22, Nawaqanitawase collects and runs to the edge of the 22 and launches a great kick that goes into touch inside the Welsh 22… but the line has flagged that he stepped out of his 22, so Wales will have the throw on the Australian 22… another big mistake from Australia.

Australia drive forward now, but Wales hold them up short of their 22… is there still time for Australia?

PENALTY, WALES, ANSCOMBE! 32-6; Australia can start packing for home tonight unless something incredible happens in the rest of the Pool.

Australia with possession but struggling to get out their 22… Wales with the turnover… they run the ball but are tackled and the ref calls play back for a penalty for offsides. Anscombe to kick from just short of the 22 and a couple of metres to the right of the poles. Ho-hum…

Wales drive up again into the Aussie 22, drive hard but Australia defend well… but now North almost breaks the line, the ball flows left again and it's out to Adams who takes a low pass well but it's JUST forward and Australia, a tired Australia, will scrum on their 22…

PENALTY, WALES, ANSCOMBE! 29-6; More undisciplined play from the Wallabies and Anscombe slots the penalty from the 10m line and in front of poles. This is becoming a breeze for Wales… what do the Wallabies have in response. Do they have anything?

CONVERSION, WALES, ANSCOMBE! 26-6; The substitute is having a great game, and he knocks the conversion over without a sweat… well, he shouldn't sweat, it was bang in front of poles.

TRY, WALES, TOMPKINS! 24-6; An incredible lobbed kick into the in-goal area from Anscombe which Tompkins chases onto, no Aussies in the goal area… the bounce is perfect and Tompkins grabs the ball and falls to ground with two tacklers forlornly on him. Magnificent rugby!

MAGNIFICENT PLAY…

Wales drive forward, taking play to the Aussie 22 with some great running… right now the forwards bashing through the Aussie line time after time… but now they run the backline, but Australia are up quick in defence…

Poor play from Australia, as Porecki's throw in is not straight, so from an attacking Australian lineout we move to a defensive Welsh scrum on their 10m…

DAVIES with a great intercept as Australia tried to feed their line from a maul, Wales run their line but concede a penalty just short of the Aussie 22, and Donaldson kicks play up to the Welsh 10m.

PENALTY, WALES, ANSCOMBE! 19-6; Anscombe hits this beautifully from about 10m in from the left touchline. Great start for the Welsh.

Wales straight onto the attack, pressing Australia hard at their 22… and it's a penalty for Wales and they're going for poles again!

KICK-OFF! We're underway here with the 8th World Cup clash between Wales and Australia, brought live to you from the OL Stadium in Lyon, France. This is a big one for both teams… but it's a must-win for the Wallabies! What a match we have ahead of us!

HALF-TIME, WALES 16-6 AUSTRALIA. What a bruising contest, Wales with the definite advantage and more clinical play, but Australia - despite a number of hiding-worthy errors - are looking strong and determined. We've got a big second half in store, so don't go further than the kettle or the fridge, as we'll bring you the second half shortly…

BRILLIANT run from Wales, after the scrum was turned, Wales drive down the right, Zammit runs back in then passes out to Williams who presses for the line but it held up and the ref awards Australia the dropout… and with that the whistle for half-time.

PENALTY, WALES, ANSCOMBE! 16-6; Anscombe drills it home from in front of the poles a couple of metres shy of the Aussie 22. Poor penalty to concede by Australia. Donaldson's kick-off goes directly out… Australia desperately need that half-time kick up the backside.

INCREDIBLE! Wales with a cross-kick to the right touchline, Adams catches it on the run at full stretch and flicks it back infield as the tackler knocks him out of play… the line flags for a lineout but replays show under the microscope that the pass back was good. Can't have everything, I guess.

Australia with some driving runs between rucks, Wales defending with power, Davies hitting Hooper hard to stop one particular drive forward. Cue the medics… men on the ground, holding limbs, blood pouring from noses… this is no tea party, and I doubt anyone on the park would want a cuppa now: they're all playing for a place in the quarters!

Wales now rucking on their 10m, Davies sending a high ball into the Aussie half… Australia ruck and McDermott sends a high ball into Wales from the back of the ruck… Zammit rises balletically to claim the ball but it rebounds off his shoulder and Australia will feed the scrum.

It's 76 tackles to 23 so far this match and, yes, you guessed it, Wales have made the 76!

PENALTY, WALES, ANSCOMBE! 13-6; Anscombe makes no mistake, and quite rightly so. I reckon even the TMO could have slotted them… but what a swing we've had in the last two minutes when Australia looked set for 7!

Wales win the line, run it left, run it right… and the whistle goes and it's a penalty for Wales now. Donaldson will take the points from inside the 22 and a few metres to the right.

DISASTER! Australia's lineout fails to function, Morgan get the ball and hoofs it upfield and it's an incredible kick, sneaking out inside the Aussie 22.

Wales penalised for coming up in the scrum… Australia kick into touch for an attacking lineout near the halfway line…  and Australia run it and break the Welsh line, Australians running rampant as the Welsh have to defend for their lives… Wales get the turnover… but it's a penalty for Australia and it's 'muchos kickable', as I believe they say in Barcelona… but Donaldson has kicked into the corner… they want 7 points not 3!

Some lovely running from both sides, heavy tackles, a few kicks forward… and it ends with an Aussie scrum halfway between their 22 and 10m. Medics sprint on to patch up the wounded. This is no holds barred contest here make no mistake.

PENALTY, WALES, ANSCOMBE! 10-6; Lovely kick straight through the middle. That should settle him nicely…

OFF THE POST! The substitute flyhalf pulls his kick ever so slightly and it bounces back in play off the upright. There's some frantic play by both sides and Australia are penalised again. Another penalty on the 10m… ;this one 15m in from touch on the left…

Australia give away an ice-cream soft penalty, hands in the loose maul, and Anscombe lines up his kick from the 10m…

Donaldson with a great dummy slides through the Welsh defence, but Wales turn the ball over, hoof it upfield all the way to the Aussie line where Kellaway just manages to dot down ahead of the Welsh attacker. What a passage of play that was!

Australia drive forward into the Welsh half and Donaldson sends a lovely kick into the 22 for a defensive lineout. Australia are looking really strong now.

PENALTY, AUSTRALIA, DONALDSON! 7-6; Straight in front again, this time from about 27m out.

Australia drive hard close to the Welsh 22 and they are penalised again. Aussies going for poles…

SUBSTITUTE, WALES. Biggar has come off with a damaged shoulder and Anscombe has almost 70 minutes of huge World Cup action ahead of him.

Aussies under pressure in their 22… McDermott managing to clear upfield after Donaldson have fumbled a pass a few moments earlier… but the Aussies recovered well. No harm done.

PENALTY, AUSTRALIA, DONALDSON! 7-3; No problem with the lick, 12m from the Welsh line and bang in front… Donaldson gets the Aussies on the board.

Australia drive and drive but Wales just manage to hold them off, but the referee calls play back for the penalty, and the Wallabies will go for poles.

Australia win the lineout, run the ball, ruck near the Welsh line but are pushed back… run it right, then run the line left… they're rucking 8m from the Welsh line…

Penalty for Australia in the Wales half after some great pressure - the kick sets up an attacking lineout in the Welsh 22.

CONVERSION, WALES, BIGGAR! 7-0; No problem with the conversion from just to the left of the posts.

TRY, WALES, DAVIES! 5-0; Great break from Wales, Morgan breaking through the Wallaby line and laying off to Davies, who weaves through the 22 to score alongside the posts. Great start for Wales!

Lineout is won, ball is run and a rolling kick sends Australia into their 22 for a defensive lineout.

Early penalty for Wales in the first 20 seconds, the ball kicked into touch well into the Australian half.

KICK-OFF! We're underway here with the 8th World Cup clash between Wales and Australia, brought live to you from the OL Stadium in Lyon, France. This is a big one for both teams… but it's a must-win for the Wallabies! What a match we have ahead of us!

Our referee tonight is Wayne Barnes from England, and he will be assisted by Luke Pearce and Christophe Ridley (both from England). The TMO duties will be undertake by Tom Foley, also from England.

Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Tom Hooper, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Richie Arnold, 4 Nick Frost, 3 James Slipper, 2 David Porecki (captain), 1 Angus Bell. Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Nic White, 22 Carter Gordon, 23 Suliasi Vunivalu.

Wales: 15 Liam Williams; 14 Louis Rees Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas. Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Taine Basham, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Rio Dyer.

A win for Australia will ensure a thrilling end to Pool C, with a number of possible permutations in terms of who might progress to the next round. If they lose then they are likely to miss out on the quarter-finals for the first time, with Fiji most likely needing just one win from their two matches against Georgia and Fiji. Pool C is most fascinating as Wales, Fiji and Australia are ranked 7th, 8th and 9th respectively on the World Rugby Rankings as at 18 September 2023.

Australia kicked off Pool C's fixtures with a 35-15 win over Georgia, while Wales beat Fiji 32-26. Wales followed up with a 28-8 win over Portugal… but Australia slipped up and lost 15-22 to Fiji, who are next to Australia in terms of world rankings.

Wales are currently top of Pool C with 10 points from their two matches. Fiji are in second spot (6 points from two matches) and Australia in third spot (6 points from two matches), the Wallabies with an inferior points total. Australia are facing the potential of their worst ever performance at a World Cup if they don't pick up two wins from their last two matches, as Fiji face Georgia and Portugal in their last two matches - two potentially tough matches, but ones Fiji would be expected to win. This is D-Day-plus for Australia.

The two teams have played one another just five times since 2017, Wales winning three of these contests and Australia two. The five meetings have all been tight: Australia's wins were by five point (2022) and eight points (2017), while Wales' wins were by 4 points (2019), 3 points (2018) and 1 point (2021).

The two teams have met 45 times in Test matches, Australia winning 31 times and Wales just 13. They have drawn one Test match. Australia lead the points tally by 1071-726.

Australia have beaten Wales in all but two of their World Cup matches. Wales won the third-place play-off match in 1987, and then won their pool match in 2019. The wins were both narrow… Wales won by just a single point in 1987 and by four points in 2019.

The two sides have been draw in the same pool in a staggering five of the 10 World Cups they have competed in (including 2023). They have also played against each other in the knock-out stages on three occasions.

Australia have played 53 games in the World Cup, winnings 42 and losing just 11. Their points spread is 1611-754.

Australia have taken part in all 9 World Cups, winning the trophy in 1991 and 1999. They have lost in the final twice (2003 and 2015) and lost in the semi-final twice (ending third in 2011 and fourth in 1987). They have been knocked-out in the quarter-finals three times.

Wales have played 44 matches at the World Cup, winning 26 and losing 18. Their combined points tally is 1238-865.

Wales have competed in all 9 World Cups, with their best finish coming in the maiden World Cup, when they were placed third. Wales have made the semi-final three times, winning the third-place playoff match once, and losing it twice to finish fourth. They went out in the quarter-finals three times and have failed to make it out of the pool stage at three World Cups.

Wales are currently ranked 7th in the world, while Australia are just behind in 9th place.

Good evening, and welcome to this World Cup Pool C clash between Wales and Australia, brought live to you from the OL Stadium in Lyon, France.