Wales 29-28 Australia: Rhys Priestland seals narrow victory after nervy end to autumn finale

Rhys Priestland slotted a penalty with the final kick of the game to earn Wales a win at the end of a hugely eventful and controversial contest.

Australia had No 8 Rob Valetini sent off after just 15 minutes, but stayed in the contest throughout and were leading with just seconds to go before substitute fly-half Priestland kept his nerve to steal the spoils.

Wales were outscored by three tries to two, with their second touchdown from centre Nick Tompkins being awarded in contentious fashion.

In the end, it was the place-kicking of 14-point Dan Biggar and that final strike from his replacement Priestland that proved the difference.

It was an eventful first half, which saw one red card and one yellow card - both against Australia - and a try apiece.

The Wallabies had taken an early lead through a converted touchdown from winger Andrew Kellaway, who ran on to a no-eyes grubber kick from centre Hunter Paisami.

But then Valetini went for an early bath for head on head contact in a tackle on Wales second row Adam Beard, who left the field bloodied and wasn’t to return.

That offence enabled fly-half Biggar to cut the deficit to 7-6 and Australia were then reduced to 13 men when full-back Kurtley Beale was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on.

The hosts immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage with hooker Ryan Elias diving over in the corner off a well-executed lineout move.

Biggar landed the touchline conversion and traded penalties with his opposite number James O’Connor to make it 16-13 at the interval.

Then, seven minutes into the second-half, came the biggest talking point of the match.

When Nick Tompkins stuck out a hand to block a pass from Tom Wright, just everybody stopped, including the Wales centre who had picked up the ball on the bounce.

But there was no whistle from Scottish referee Mike Adamson, so Tompkins carried on, running in from some 35 metres out to touch down.

Adamson’s on-field decision was the Saracens star had knocked the ball backwards and after checking the replays he stuck to that verdict.

So the try stood, much to the dismay of unhappy Wallabies skipper James Slipper

Just before the hour mark, it became 14-a-side when Wales replacement prop Gareth Thomas was yellow carded for an arm to the head of Wallaby tighthead Allan Alaalatoa in a clear-out.

Then came tries for the visitors through scrum-half Nic White and winger Filipo Daugunu, with Kurtley Beale landing a long range penalty to give them the lead before Priestland had the final word.

Stay tuned for live press conference updates from both camps.

Wales: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Uilisi Halaholo, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Seb Davies, 6. Ellis Jenkins (capt), 7. Taine Basham, 8. Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Ben Carter, 20. Christ Tshiunza, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Johnny McNicholl.

Australia: 15. Kurtley Beale, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 13. Len Ikitau, 12. Hunter Paisami, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 10. James O’Connor, 9. Nic White, 1. James Slipper (capt), 2. Tolu Latu, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Pete Samu, 8. Rob Valetini.

Replacements: 16. Folau Fainga’a, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Allan Alaalatoa, 19. Will Skelton, 20. Lachlan Swinton, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Lalakai Foketi, 23. Tom Wright.

Live updates below: