Wales player ratings vs Australia: 2023 Rugby World Cup

Wales produced a brilliant display, beating an increasingly ragged Australia 40-6 to become the first team to guarantee a spot in the quarter-finals. In contrast, the Wallabies are facing a pool-stage exit for the very first time.

With both sides viewing it as a must-win clash in the tightly contested Pool C, it was Wales who came out firing. A penalty within 30 seconds was followed by a scorching break from captain Jac Morgan, who fed a rushing Gareth Davies to dot down under the posts.

Australia did respond, with dangermen Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete to the fore. And when Wales linchpin Dan Biggar was forced off in the 12th minute, with the men in red leading just 7-6, the Wallabies looked to be in the hunt. But almost nothing went right for the two-time World Cup winners from then on.

A succession of penalties enabled Biggar's replacement Gareth Anscombe to pull Wales into a 16-6 half-time lead and another lightening start to the second 40 minutes saw centre Nick Tompkins gather Anscombe's cute chip to touch down. With Australia bereft of ideas and the penalty count creeping up, Morgan scored off the back of a maul and Anscombe added a further three penalties and a drop goal to secure Wales' biggest ever victory over Australia.

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Most points: Gareth Anscombe - 23

Metres: Taulupe Faletau - 36

Defenders beaten: Taulupe Faletau - 4

Tackles: Jac Morgan - 15

Tackles missed: Tomas Francis - 3

Turnovers won: Adam Beard - 1

1. Gareth Thomas: 6 - Struggled in the opening scrums against James Slipper, but took the scrum by the scuff once the Australian co-captain was withdrawn. Better around the park in the second half, worked hard to carry in the loose. (Replaced by Corey Domachowski 66 mins)

2. Ryan Elias: 7 - Greasy conditions made the early set-pieces not go to plan, but linked up well with the inter-playing backs. Involved well in the passing plays, and led up-front as Wales dominated the second half scrum in the absence of Slipper and a well-missed Taniela Tupou. (Replaced by Elliot Dee 66th mins)

3. Tomas Francis: 7.5 - Wales' star man in the front row, Francis had emptied the tank and the reserve storage at his 66th minute with-drawl. An unbelievable work-rate, Francis took notice of referee Wayne Barnes orders to stop calling for 'off-feet', and turned his attention to bossing the rucks. Won a key scrum penalty against Angus Bell, with a great start to the second half. (Replaced by Henry Thomas 66 mins)

4 Will Rowlands: 6 - A slow start saw his jackal efforts penalized with a breakdown penalty, but the workhorse in Wales' second row didn't stop running for 70 minutes. Like Francis, Rowlands emptied the tank and made seven tackles in the effort. (Replaced by Dafydd Jenkins 70 mins)

5. Adam Beard: 7.5 - Showcased excellent set-piece prowess, and put on the afterburners to chase down every loose ball around the park. 14 tackles is the second best from the match, with Beard set to wake up with sore shoulders tomorrow. His intensity never faltered and he covered every square inch of grass.

6. Aaron Wainwright 6.5 - His starring moment came with a great showing of strength, to halt Marika Koroibete in his tracks, and stall the winger for an eventual turnover. Defended solidly against the Wallabies, and made eight tackles in the process. (Replaced by Taine Basham 71 mins)

7. Jac Morgan (c): 9 - Another awesome performance from the Wales captain. Morgan started the match with an assist for Gareth Davies' try, and finished off the contest with a score of his own. Excellent in attack, but also hit-hard in defence, 16 completed tackles puts him at the top of the charts. The man can do it all, and an great clearance kick presented an unexpected versatility from the boot.

8. Taulupe Faletau: 7 - A big carry for his first involvement against the Wallabies, and the number eight presented a physical showing with consistent options around the park. Faletau made 36 metres, as he dug in his heels through contact, and often took the Wallabies back a few paces in each of the 5 carries. Defensively strong, in a record win for Wales.

9. Gareth Davies: 8 - Got the points scoring started from the get go, as Davies ran the all-important supporting line for Jac Morgan's line-break. Maintained a high tempo around the pitch, with quick ball being the order of the day to keep Australia on the back foot. Tactical masterclass, Davies made the correct decisions on when to kick the ball or send it through the hands. (Replaced by Tomos Williams 60 mins)

10. Dan Biggar: N/A - Forced off with an early shoulder injury, with Wales fans hoping that their talisman will make a swift return. (Replaced by Gareth Anscombe 11 mins)

11. Josh Adams: 7 - Almost scored an early kick chase, yet the ball just outpaced the flying winger. Good urgency in attack, and presented an exciting option with the ball in hand. Excellent under the high ball, as an unimaginative Australia frequently kicked to the back three.

12. Nick Tompkins: 7.5 - Utilised the charge down to put pressure on the Wallabies clearance kicks, and presented top quality midfield playmaking. He was the fastest to react to Anscombe's kick over the defence, to score Wales' second try. A high tackle on Carter Gordon was a blemish on his defensive record.

13 George North: 7 - Calling the shots across the centres, North reacted well to the early withdrawing of Biggar. Stepping into a leadership role once again, North's best work came with quick passing, and he also made 11 carries in the first hour of play. Great carry and ship off to Rees-Zammit on the stroke of half-time, with the winger unfortunate to not score.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit: 7 - Left Wales fans watching with baited breath, as he limped off the pitch for a Rio Dyer cameo. Made a key tackle on Rory Arnold in a try-scoring position, to save a sure-fire try. Tried to vary his attack, by going to the boot and backing his pace. Rees-Zammit muscled up to his opposite player, and kept Marika Koroibete quiet.

15 Liam Williams: 7 - Cleared his lines well when called upon at the boot. He rode a heavy shot, and did well to continue despite some concern. He marshalled the Wales defence from the back-field, as the fullback general made key tackles on the scarce Australian line-breakers. Great hands to thread Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams in the wide channels.

16. Elliot Dee: 6.5 - Under the orders to keep the scrum and line-out consistent, Dee made good on his appearance, with the final Wales try coming from a rolling maul. Kept the scrummaging at a high tempo, as Wales twisted the knife into the Wallabies.

17. Corey Domachowski: 6.5 - Eager to get involved around the park, as the adrenaline was pumping for the replacement prop. Suffered a case of 'white-line fever', as he only had eyes for the try-line when Wales continued to extend their lead.

18. Henry Thomas: 6 - The former England international had a decent run out for his Rugby World Cup debut. On amongst the trio of front row replacements that came on for the exhausted starters, Thomas was a well-suited replacement for the impressive Tomas Francis. More of the same for his World Cup future.

19. Dafydd Jenkins: 5.5 - Difficult to give a fair judgement as Jenkins only had a nine minute outing off the bench. Involved in the rolling maul which Jac Morgan scored at the end of the match.

20. Taine Basham: 5.5 - A similar role to Jenkins, as Basham reinforced the Wales pack for the final 10 minutes of the match. Hard to give a fair marking, but he burnt out the Australian tacklers, and won the line-out that led to the final push-over try.

21. Tomos Williams: 6.5 - On the pitch for the final 20 minutes, and kept up with the high tempo that was set by Gareth Davies. He upped the intensity with the replacement forwards eager to get involved, more than happy to boss around the newcomers for the closing moments of the match.

22. Gareth Anscombe: 8.5 - Given an unexpectedly early start to proceedings, following the eleven minute substitution for an injured Dan Biggar. There were slight concerns after he was winded by Koroibete after just 17 minutes, yet he soldiered on for an inspired performance. Anscombe slotted six penalties, a drop goal and a conversion, with a try assist boosting a top performance.

23. Rio Dyer: 5.5 - The Dragons man may well be called upon for an extended run in two weeks time, if Rees-Zammit's injury is in anyway serious. His first involvement saw him halted by the Australian defenders, with an ambitious offload not going to hands. Only given the last 10 minutes so hard to stamp his mark on the match, but a useful talent for Gatland to have.