Wales 40-6 Australia LIVE RESULT – Rugby World Cup 2023: Wallabies on brink of historic exit as Welsh make quarter-final
AUSTRALIA are on the brink of a World Cup group stage exit for the first time after they were thrashed 40-6 by Wales.
The stunning win places Wales as the first team through to the quarter-finals while the Wallabies now need a miracle to avoid an historic elimination.
Though it was not all good for the Welsh, Dan Biggar landed on his shoulder and was taken off early in the first half.
All it needs now is Fiji is to beat Georgia next weekend and Australia are out.
- Score: Wales 40 Australia 6
- Wales XV: 15 Liam Williams; 14 Louis Rees Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Jac Morgan (Capt), 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas.
- Australia XV: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Tom Hooper, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Richie Arnold, 4 Nick Frost, 3 James Slipper, 2 David Porecki (Capt), 1 Angus Bell.
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Welsh dragons eye path to semi-finals
Having put themselves in a position to win Pool C, it is likely that Wales will face either Argentina or Japan.
While there is no such thing as an easy game in a major tournament, given the alternative opposition, fans will fancy their teams chances of progressing to the semi-finals.
Warren Gatland's side have gone under the radar until now, this victory may make other teams take note.
The Welsh dragon is breathing fire.
Welsh grow in confidence as tournament continues
From the moment the World Cup started for Wales against Fiji, they answered their doubters and put in the performance needed to secure victory.
A second string then comfortably disposed of Portugal as Gatland used his squad to ensure everyone was match ready.
Then as they faced Australia, they put in one of the best performances we have seen in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Be warned, Wales are thriving under the lack of pressure of the underdog tag.
Welsh fans party into the night in Lyon
Nobody would have predicted such a scoreline against the Wallabies today but Wales duly delivered.
An emphatic victory which seals their place in the quarter-finals.
At the full time whistle, you could see how much it meant to players and fans alike.
Credit: Getty 
Credit: Getty
Eddie's confidence comes back to bite him
In the lead up to the game, Australia coach Eddie Jones said 'I’ve got no doubt we’ll win on Sunday, the way the team’s prepared and have come together.'
He was made to eat his words by Warren Gatland's side.
His side are sent crashing out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in the group stages as Wales march on to the quarter-finals.
Credit: Getty Wales continue to surprise in France
Heading into the World Cup, nobody was talking about the chances of Warren Gatland's side playing a big part in the tournament.
Their coach said beforehand 'we will surprise a big team at this World Cup' and they have duly delivered.
If one of the top ranked sides had smashed Australia like this, the talk would be of them winning the trophy.
Pressure on Anscombe couldn't be Biggar
When Dan Biggar suffered a shoulder injury early on in the game, Welsh fans were worried their chances of victory had taken a huge blow.
Step up Gareth Anscombe.
After missing his first penalty, he showed the mental toughness to score 23 points including a fantastic drop goal as his kicking took his country to a record win over the Wallabies.
Credit: PA 
Credit: AFP Wallabies wilt under Dragons roar
Australia could not find answers to what Wales had to offer today.
They were well beaten all over the park, and were second best for the entirety of the game.
The reality is that this result sees the Wallabies leave the World Cup at the group stage for the first time in their nation's history.
Credit: Getty 
Credit: Getty Wales make World Cup statement in Lyon
Not many people could have predicted that scoreline and performance, particularly when Dan Biggar came off injured early on.
Eddie Jones guaranteed an Australian victory, instead he delivered a record defeat against Wales.
After watching this game today, not many sides will relish facing Gatland's side who thrive on their underdog status.
Credit: AP 
Credit: AFP Gatland overjoyed with team performance
The New Zealand born Welsh coach reflects on victory over Australia:
The guys give a really good performance, I am pleased with that. We have worked incredibly hard and we can enjoy tonight. We have a couple of weeks off, we can enjoy this win before moving on to thinking about Georgia.
Warren Gatland
Captain fantastic leads side to record win
At just 23-years-old, Jac Morgan put in a man of the match performance against the Wallabies.
He set up the first try to give Wales an advantage and fittingly went over the line for the final try.
Morgan leaves everything out on the pitch whenever he plays, a true leader who motivates his team to get the best out of them.
Credit: Reuters FT: Wales 40-6 Australia
The referee brings the game to a close.
As Australia try to go over the line at the death, they are held up and it is that man Jac Morgan under the player.
Wales are the first team into the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
Wales 40-6 Australia
79. The Welsh skipper has put in a mammoth performance.
He set up the first try and scores the last as Wales drive over from their own lineout.
Anscombe hits the post with the conversion.
Try - Jac Morgan (Wales)
Wales 35-6 Australia
77. Australia just want the final whistle now.
It is just becoming more and more painful.
Another penalty conceded as Anscombe kicks for the corner.
Credit: Getty Wales 35-6 Australia
75. It is important for Wales now that they stay tight in defence.
As it stands, they have earned the score we see today, to leak any late points would be a disappointment.
Nothing seems to be going right for the Wallabies as droves of their fans start to leave the ground.
Wales 35-6 Australia
73. Wales are heading to a record win against Australia as it stands.
Gatland's men will feel like there are more points for them in this game now with Wallabies' heads down.
The Welsh have a penalty for a deliberate knock on.
Wales 35-6 Australia
71. Things are going from bad to worse for Australia.
Rio Dyer is to come on for Wales now, some fresh legs down the wing as he replaces Rees-Zammit.
This is now mission impossible for the Wallabies.
Drop goal - Gareth Anscombe (Wales)
Wales 32-6 Australia
69. Australia are penalised for another knock on.
As the camera shows Eddie Jones with head in his hands on the big screen, there is a huge roar of boos from the Aussie fans.
This is probing to be a World Cup to forget for the Wallabies.
Credit: AFP Wales 32-6 Australia
67. Wales make some changes in the front row.
They win the lineout and look to drive towards the Wallabies line.
Australia are under huge pressure once again.
Wales 32-6 Australia
65. Australia are starting to run out of time.
Still trying to play their way out of their own half.
The backwards pass does not find its man and Wales have a lineout in Australian territory.
Wales 32-6 Australia
63. Wales have the put in at the scrum as Tomos Williams takes it.
They clear their lines and send Australia back into their own half.
The Wallabies clearance goes out on the full.
Wales 32-6 Australia
61. We are into the final quarter of the game.
Wales lead by 26 points in this crucial match.
Australia need to do something quickly if they hope to stand any chance of turning the scoreline around.
Credit: Getty Penalty - Gareth Anscombe (Wales)
Wales 29-6 Australia
59. Gordon puts a terrible high kick up that comes back down to him without moving.
He knocks it forward and Wales have a penalty advantage.
As the move breaks down, they opt to go for the posts.
