Warren Gatland’s Wales snapped a nine game losing streak as they defeated Australian Super Rugby side the Reds in Brisbane 36 – 35.
Trailing with one minute to play, Wales looked set to be on course for a tough loss to close out their tour of Australia.
Having lost both tests to the Wallabies, Gatland rotated his side for the match against the Reds.
Taking a lead into half-time courtesy of tries to Archie Griffin, league convert Regan Grace, Rio Dyer and Christ Tshiunza which were accompanied by three conversions from flyhalf Sam Costelow.
In response, the Reds would score two tries of their own through Richie Asiata and James O’Connor, with O’Connor converting both for the home side trail 24 – 14 at the break.
Coming out hot in the second stanza
Starting the second half brightly, Wales scored first through Nick Tompkins on the back of a superb 50:22 from Costelow.
Returning fire, hooker Asiata would cross the whitewash again to bring his team back within ten points at 31 – 21.
From here the comfortable Welsh lead would flutter away as the Reds upped the ante as Mac Grealy crossed for a try which O’Connor duly nudged over.
Now firmly back in contention and with their tails up, Grealy would finish off a super try to claim his side’s first lead of the of contest with the ensuing conversion making the score 35 – 31 in favour of Les Kiss’s side with ten minutes to play.
Grand stand finish
Going through the phases, Gatland’s side launched wave after wave of attack only to be turned over and pushed back time and again.
Staring into the abyss of what would’ve been a record equalling tenth loss, Kieran Hardy saved his team’s blushes as he crossed for a match winning score with a minute to play.
Missing the conversion, Costelow set up a nervy conclusion for Wales but his team would come up clutch to close out a 36 – 35 win.
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