![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/HadleighParkesWalesvAustraliaRWC29092019_large.jpg\")
Wales put one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals and announced themselves as major title contenders after beating Australia 29-25 at Tokyo Stadium.<\/p>\nWales put one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals and announced themselves as major title contenders after beating Australia 29-25 at Tokyo Stadium.<\/p>\n
The Six Nations champions took charge of Pool D with a second successive win that could lead to a last-eight clash against France or Argentina.<\/p>\n
Australia, though, might be hurtling towards a knockout tie with England, who are coached by former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones, despite staging a spectacular second-half fightback.<\/p>\n
Wales looked home and dry when they led 26-8 through tries by center Hadleigh Parkes and scrum-half Gareth Davies.<\/p>\n
Fly-halves Dan Biggar and Rhys Patchell kicked 19 points between them \u2013 Patchell contributed 14 after replacing Biggar, who went off for a head injury assessment \u2013 but Australia got it back to one point at 26-25.<\/p>\n
Wing Adam Ashley-Cooper, full-back Dane Haylett-Petty and captain Michael Hooper claimed touchdowns, with Bernard Foley kicking a penalty and Matt Toomua booting seven points.<\/p>\n
But Wales held out, helped out by Patchell\u2019s 72-minute strike, to beat Australia for only a second time in the last 15 Tests following a scintillating contest.<\/p>\n
Alun Wyn Jones became Wales\u2019 most-capped player as he led his country out, making his 130th appearance to break the record he previously shared with prop Gethin Jenkins.<\/p>\n
Australia were without suspended wing Reece Hodge \u2013 replaced by Ashley-Cooper \u2013 while half-backs Foley and Will Genia were also called up by head coach Michael Cheika.<\/p>\n
Wales made a dream start and were ahead after just 36 seconds when the Welsh pack secured quality possession inside Australia\u2019s 22 and Biggar dropped a goal.<\/p>\n
Australia were rocked by the ferocity of Wales\u2019 start, and Biggar went close to doubling the lead but drifted a touchline penalty attempt wide.<\/p>\n
Wales were outstanding with ball in hand, looking to involve wings George North and Josh Adams at regular opportunities.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s defense came under considerable pressure, and Wales increased their lead through a 13th-minute try.<\/p>\n
Biggar was the architect, kicking to the wing, and center Parkes climbed above Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete, before spinning and touching down.<\/p>\n
Biggar\u2019s successful touchline conversion made it 10-0, and Hooper was then warned by referee Romain Poite for a challenge on the Wales number 10.<\/p>\n
Australia opened their account with a 21st-minute try by Ashley-Cooper after Foley\u2019s kick found space, cutting their deficit by five points.<\/p>\n
Center Samu Kerevi began to cause problems for the Welsh defense with his powerful running, and Wales then lost Biggar for a head injury assessment, with Patchell replacing him.<\/p>\n
Foley booted a penalty shortly afterwards, and Wales\u2019 lead had been reduced to 10-8 after 30 minutes.<\/p>\n
Wales needed to regroup, and a Patchell penalty seven minutes before half-time restored the Six Nations champions\u2019 five-point advantage, then he kicked another three-pointer from almost 50 meters.<\/p>\n
And it then got even better for Wales when scrum-half Davies intercepted a Wallabies pass on halfway and sprinted clear to score their second try. Patchell\u2019s conversion put Wales 15 points in front, ending an opening 40 minutes they had dominated.<\/p>\n
Biggar did not rejoin the action, but Patchell had acquitted himself impressively at the hub of a controlling Wales performance. And he underlined it following another spell of Wales pressure by landing a drop-goal that meant Wales had an 18-point lead.<\/p>\n
But Australia then hit back following a flowing long-range move which ended with Haylett-Petty crossing for a try that Toomua converted. The touchdown gave Australia a new lease of life, sensing that one more try would put them well and truly back in the contest.<\/p>\n
Wales knew it, too, but Wallabies pressure was mounting, and three close-range driven line-outs saw Australia continue to turn the screw.<\/p>\n
And Wales could not hold out, with Hooper claiming a touchdown following relentless pressure, and Toomua\u2019s conversion meant Australia trailed 26-22 with 18 minutes left.<\/p>\n
Toomua and Patchell then exchanged kicks, but Wales held out and claimed arguably the finest victory of head coach Warren Gatland\u2019s long reign.<\/p>\n