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Rugby Union

Wallabies break Welsh hearts with late try

26/05/2007

An injury-time try gave Australia a thrilling 29-23 victory over Wales in the Telstra Stadium in Sydney.

The Welsh were leading 23-22 after James Hook fired over a drop goal nine minutes from time to regain the lead and threaten only their second victory Down Under.

But substitute Stephen Hoiles dived over in the 80th minute after a wave of Aussie attacks to snatch victory.

Despite leaving a host of first-team players at home, the Welsh made a dream start on seven minutes when Gareth Thomas collected James Hook's pass and touched down on his record 93rd cap.

Wales increased their lead to 14-0 on 23 minutes when debutant Julian Huxley found Jamie Robinson who ran into score, with Hook kicking over his second conversion.

After Hook and Wycliff Palu had exchanged penalties, the Wallabies hit back in the closing stages of the half when Nathan Sharpe touched down to cut the Welsh lead to five points at the break.

After Hook blasted a penalty from the left touchline to gives Wales a 20-12 advantage, the hosts responded two minutes later with Matt Giteau dancing past the Dragons' defence to cross the line, with Stirling Mortlock kicking over the extras to reduce their deficit to a single point.

Mortlock then struck again on 61 minutes to give the Wallabies the lead for the first time in the match.

A blunder from Mark Gerrard allowed the Welsh to regain the lead after he scuffed a clearance allowing the tourists to have the scrum, with the ball falling to Hook who calmly kicked over the drop goal between the posts to give his side a 23-22 lead.

But in stoppage time, substitute Hoiles bundled over the line in the right-hand corner, which was converted by Mortlock, to seal a sensational victory.

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