Wallabies v Wales: Five takeaways as series defeat raises questions over Warren Gatland’s future

Following a 36-28 victory for Australia over Wales at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Saturday, here’s our five takeaways from the international clash.

The top line

On the face of it you can’t really ask for much more than two wins from two after taking over following the Eddie Jones disaster. Joe Schmidt’s men claimed the series 2-0 thanks to a four-try showing in Melbourne, which gives them some momentum heading into the Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies were impressive early on, going 17-0 ahead through tries from Filipo Daugunu and Jake Gordon, while Noah Lolesio added seven points off the tee, but their maul issues helped Wales get back into the match.

Warren Gatland’s outfit were dominant in the drive and two such surges enabled the outstanding Dewi Lake to cross the whitewash twice and reduce the arrears to 20-14. However, Wales could never quite do enough to get themselves in front.

Lolesio extended the hosts’ advantage at the break and, although Liam Williams touched down for the Welshmen to close the gap to two in second period, that was as close as they got. Allan Alaalatoa went over for the Wallabies to keep the visitors at arm’s length before a James Lowe-type error from Williams, where he tapped the ball back in play from a penalty, allowed Daugunu to saunter across the line unopposed.

Rio Dyer did respond to give Wales hope late on, but Ben Donaldson’s three-pointer confirmed a series whitewash as Gatland’s team succumbed to a ninth successive loss.

Rekindling Wallabies magic

Let’s be honest, Schmidt’s men have a long way to go but it was a pleasant surprise to see Australia score that magnificent length of the field effort. This current outfit are a far cry from the greats that graced the field in the 1980s and 1990s, but they showed that there is still the ability to both see and take the opportunity from anywhere on the pitch.

Andrew Kellaway began the move, kicking ahead and flicking it back for Fraser McReight before the livewire flanker found Daugunu, who did the rest. However, that was effectively the highlight of the match as the Wallabies once again found it difficult to find that fluency on a consistent basis. There were some good moments but this rebuild is going to take time.

Filipo Daugunu double helps Wallabies claim first series whitewash of Joe Schmidt era

Set-piece turnaround

Wales were absolutely pummelled in the scrum last week but credit must go to the front-row as they turned around their fortunes in Test two. Taniela Tupou had the better of the Welsh loosehead last weekend, but he was put under pressure by Gareth Thomas in Melbourne, while Archie Griffin had a fine game on the tighthead side.

Tupou was also a factor – and not a good one – in the maul. The Welshmen had some joy in Sydney with their driving game, but it was even more potent in the second match. They scored two tries from that tactic as the Wallabies failed to learn their lessons from the encounter at Allianz Stadium.

Gatland’s men remained strong in the set-piece for the opening hour but it rather collapsed late on. Captain fantastic Lake was replaced and their lineout went to pieces, while the scrum was marched backwards at just the wrong moment. There were signs of improvement up front from Wales, but it was not quite enough.

Still much to work on

We expected an improvement from Australia but, like the All Blacks, their problems appear far more fundamental. While New Zealand remain a clear few levels above their trans-Tasman rivals, there are similarities in that both were unable to truly build and improve on their performance from the previous week.

Of course, there were aspects which were better from the Wallabies, such as the kicking game – a real weakness in Test one – but there are too many areas which are substandard if they are to challenge the southern hemisphere juggernauts, South Africa and the All Blacks. Australia face Georgia next week before they look ahead to the Rugby Championship, where Schmidt will hope the extra preparation time pays off.

Where now for Wales and Gatland

Facts quite simply tell the story with the Welsh suffering their ninth successive defeat under Gatland, and you wonder what the future holds for both the team and their head coach. However, the WRU backed the New Zealander after their dreadful Six Nations and it would be a surprise should that opinion change following this tour.

They still have one match remaining of this tour, against the Reds in Brisbane, and a poor performance, allied by an embarrassing result, could make the governing body think twice, but ultimately there were enough signs in this series to suggest elements of their game are moving in the right direction.

Wales are still miles away from competing at the top level and the next two international breaks – the November series and the 2025 Six Nations – are significant for Gatland but, at the moment, with all the issues within Welsh rugby, it is not just the fault of one man.

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