The Wallabies’ stunning victory over Wales on Sunday morning (AEDT) may go down in history as one of the greatest rugby comebacks of the year – if not all time.
Coming off three straight losses by three points or less, the Wallabies had a point to prove at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium 10 months out from the Rugby World Cup.
But as it has been all year, indiscipline continued to hurt the men in gold throughout their thrilling clash against one of their traditional rugby rivals.
Jake Gordon and Tom Robertson were both sent to the sin bin during the first half, and Wales made the most of their two player advantage.
While they began to really pile on the points, it seemed Australia may be down for the count after Wales winger Rio Dyer scored 12 minutes into the second half.
But the Wallabies weren’t done yet.
A double to rising star Mark Nawaqanitawase was the start of something incredible for the visitors, who went on to score 26 unanswered points – and to win the crunch clash in Cardiff.
Replacement hooker Lachlan Lonergan scored the go-ahead try with less than two minutes to play, before securing the match winning turnover shortly after.
After an up and down international season, the result means the 2022 Wallabies avoid some unwanted history, dating back to 1958.
Australian rugby fans on Twitter were, for the most part, thrilled with the result – with one supporter saying the “future looks promising” for the Wallabies after the win.
Great come back. Great game. Future looks promising with a target into 2027. Let’s take the youngsters into 2023 followed by 2027…keep the consistency with David and coaching team for 2027..
— Coda (@codapower) November 26, 2022
The #Wallabies deserved that much needed win. Dave Rennie & the team faced true adversity in this rugby calender year. Good way to end what has been a tough #AutumnNationsSeries spare of thought to Pivac. The Welsh players look devastated after playing so well. #WALvAUS #SSRugby
— Sean Dhlamini (@simthesisss) November 26, 2022
At least they’ll be heading home on a high
— Douglas Potter (@dougalpotter) November 26, 2022
The comeback game of the year!!! Wallabies love giving us all heart attacks lol
— zfr8779 (@zfr8779) November 26, 2022
Absolutely heart racing!
— John Visser (@bigjohnvisser) November 26, 2022
It was. Proud of those players for what they did. But don’t let the result fool you. The performance was dreadful. ARU – take a good look at yourself. Too many games. Enjoy summer wallabies
— Garigal (@garigal67) November 26, 2022
That’s a victory for the young kids.
— Taylor Brown (@Taylorbombadil) November 26, 2022
Amazing comeback!!!!
— miguel ruiz (@callejonoscuro) November 26, 2022
Australia dig deep to earn that W. Well done from a bitter welsh fan
— Germanicus (@CymruPS5) November 26, 2022
Insane autumn series. Can we please get Aussie rugger in a better place next year?
— Garigal (@garigal67) November 26, 2022
The Wallabies were losing 34-13 after Welsh flyhalf Gareth Anscombe converted Dyer’s try.
But the impact of key players off the bench including Tate McDermott and Pete Samu proved key for Dave Rennie’s team, as they fought valiantly for the incredible result.
Is it just me, or was Australia a wholly different side with McDermott, Campbell, Samu and especially Lonergan on the field?
— Mark White (@mrkwhite) November 26, 2022
Great win! Wallabies looked like park footballers until bench came on. My 2 cents from the tour: Mark T has cemented a spot on opposite wing of Marike. Lonergan to be back up hooker to Poreki. Tate has won the back up spot to White. Gleeson/Donaldson need development in SR
— Richo (@rjcoolice) November 26, 2022
Why do we persist with Jake Gordon!
— Chump (@trevorthewheel) November 26, 2022
After five matches during their spring tour, the Wallabies only won two Test matches – but make no mistake, this is a team on the rise.
The Wallabies began their tour with a thrilling one-point win over Scotland at Murrayfield, with flyhalf Blair Kinghorn missing a last minute penalty attempt.
But three consecutive losses to France, Italy and Ireland followed for the men in gold, although they lost all of these games by three points or less.
As most fans on Twitter would seemingly agree, the future has the potential to be quite bright for Australian rugby,.
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