Faessler, Wright hit hat-tricks as Wallabies pile more misery on Wales with big win

Wales suffered their record-breaking 11th successive Test defeat after going down 52-20 against Australia, who scored eight tries in Cardiff.

Tom Wright and Matt Faessler both crossed three times, while Nick Frost and Len Ikitau also went over during a commanding victory for the Wallabies.

Australia quickly established their authority on proceedings with three tries inside the opening 23 minutes.

Wright cleverly danced his way through the defence, and an unchallenged Frost carried the ball half the length of the pitch to the line, while Faessler touched down following a typically strong lineout push.

Wales responded well with Aaron Wainwright swivelling his way over the line, while the right boot of Gareth Anscombe reduced the deficit to 19-13 at the break.

Although Australia were reduced to 14 men early in the second half with Samu Kerevi’s yellow card later upgraded to a red, it was sandwiched by a further two tries from Faessler, who completed his hat-trick.

Wright then grabbed his second try, intercepting Ben Thomas’ offload just outside the Wallabies’ 22 and sprinting unchallenged to the line.

Ben Thomas stopped the rot and gave Wales something to cheer about when he touched down, but Australia had the final word.

Ikitau cleverly wrong-footed Cameron Winnett to go over and, in the dying seconds, a swift turnover and counter allowed Wright to race away and seal his own treble.

Never before in their 147-year history had Wales suffered 11 successive international defeats.

Indeed, it has been a torrid run for Warren Gatland’s side since they beat Georgia at last year’s World Cup.

Australia’s power was too much to handle as they found themselves 19-0 down inside 23 minutes, though the hosts rallied well to cut the gap to six points by half-time.

Their cause also appeared to be aided when Kerevi was initially sent to the sin-bin. But just like last week against Fiji, Wales failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage.

If anything, it inspired Australia and made them stronger in a city where they have now won on 10 of their last 12 visits.

Just over 12 months after their humbling 40-6 reverse by Wales at the World Cup, it was the Wallabies inflicting the heavy defeat this time around.

With world champions South Africa awaiting next weekend, Gatland’s side face the serious prospect of going an entire calendar year without winning a Test for the first time since 1937.

One of the Wallabies’ hat-trick heroes, Wright produced a superb display at the Principality.

A clever dummy paved the way for his first try, while brilliant anticipation to read and intercept Ben Thomas’ offload led to his second.

He was then in the right place at the right time to round off a swift counter in the final moments by racing to the line.

Wales: Winnett 6, Rogers 7, Llewellyn 6, B. Thomas 7, Murray 7, Anscombe 6, Bevan 6; G. Thomas 6, Lake 6, Griffin 6, Rowlands 6, Beard 5, Botham 7, Morgan 6, Wainwright 7. Replacements: Elias 6, N. Smith 6, Assiratti 6, Tshiunza 6, Reffell 6, R Williams 6, Costelow 6, James 6.

Australia: Wright 9*, Kellaway 8, Ikitau 8, Kerevi 6, Jorgensen 7, Lolesio 8, White 7; Bell 7, Faessler 9, Alaalatoa 8, Frost 8, Skelton 7, Uru 7, McReight 7, Valetini 8. Replacements: Paenga-Amosa 7, Slipper 7, Nonggorr 7, Salakaia-Loto 7, Gleeson 7, McDermott 7, Donaldson N/A, Suaalii 6.

14′ TRY! WALES 0-5 AUSTRALIA (WRIGHT): The Wallabies strike first in Cardiff! It’s a super try, too, as the visitors build up the phases with swift offloads. Wright then cleverly dummies away from Murray before surging for the line.

17′ TRY! WALES 0-12 AUSTRALIA (FROST): The Wallabies turn the ball over after Botham spills it and quickly counter, with Frost galloping half the length of the field unchallenged to touch down. This time, Lolesio makes no mistake with the conversion from just to the left of the posts.

23′ TRY! WALES 0-19 AUSTRALIA (FAESSLER): The visitors have their third try already! They push from the lineout and Faessler touches down, with Lolesio subsequently converting.

26’ TRY! WALES 7-19 AUSTRALIA (WAINWRIGHT): The hosts desperately needed that! Their first real surge deep into Australian territory eventually culminates in Wainwright swivelling over the line. Anscombe converts five points into seven from in front of the posts.

48′ TRY! WALES 13-26 AUSTRALIA (FAESSLER): The hooker gets his second try of the game! Australia push from the lineout and get themselves over the line. Lolesio converts and the Wallabies have a two-score cushion once again.

49′ RED CARD: After further reviews, Kerevi’s yellow card is upgraded to a red, citing a high degree of danger with his tackle. Australia are down to 14 men, and Wales must look to capitalise.

54′ TRY! WALES 13-33 AUSTRALIA (FAESSLER): Hat-trick hero! Once again, Australia are just too powerful for Wales, as Faessler surges past Anscombe and Ben Thomas before reaching for the line. Lolesio converts and, though a man light, the Wallabies now lead by 20 points.

61′ TRY! WALES 13-40 AUSTRALIA (WRIGHT): Wright gets his second of the game, and it is one of the easiest he will score. Wales search for a way back into the game, but Ben Thomas’ offload is brilliantly read by the Australia full-back, who subsequently runs well over half the length of the field unchallenged to touch down. Lolesio converts to take the visitors to the 40-point mark.

69′ TRY! WALES 20-40 AUSTRALIA (BEN THOMAS): Finally, Wales have something to cheer, as Ben Thomas ends a decent spell of pressure by stretching over the line. Costelow makes no mistake with the conversion.

75’ TRY! WALES 20-47 AUSTRALIA (IKITAU): Another lovely try by the Wallabies! Strong handling from the visitors gets them up the pitch through several phases. The last of these sees Ikitau wrong-foot Winnett and go over in the corner. Lolesio converts via the upright.

80+1′ TRY! WALES 20-52 AUSTRALIA (WRIGHT): Wright completes his hat-trick! One final flurry from the Wallabies sees them turn the ball over and quickly break, with the full-back completely free to sprint away and touch down. Lolesio cannot convert, but it does not really matter in all honesty.

• Wales have suffered 11 successive international defeats for the first time in their history.
• Australia have now won on 10 of their last 12 visits to Cardiff.