Rob Howley puts late Wales loss down to lack of composure

The Six Nations champions lost narrowly to Australia in the second game of their three-match Test series at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday, but could have easily claimed the victory if a bit of luck had gone their way.

Wales outscored the Wallabies two tries to one and even held the lead when the final whistle went, only to miss out on a first win on Australian soil in 43 years when Mike Harris landed a penalty goal after the final siren.

The victory gave the Wallabies an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, but Howley thinks there is not much between his side and the best the Southern Hemisphere have to offer.

“When you haven’t won in Australia since 1969 and you are 20 seconds away from doing that, it doesn’t get any worse than that,” Howley said. “For 79 minutes and 40 odd seconds we have done a lot of good. But we are getting closer.”

Howley said his side lacked composure in the closing stages, especially in the final minute when reserve Richard Hibbard gave away a penalty that allowed the Wallabies to snatch victory.

He said: “We gave them the opportunity through lack of discipline in the last two minutes and like any top side in world rugby they take their chances. It is a matter of mastering those key moments in Test match rugby.”

Wales had come flying out of the blocks with a series of powerful pick and drives. Mike Phillips, Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert were all prominent in the build up as Wales roared into the Wallabies half before George North powered over from close range.

Halfpenny maintained his 100 per cent record Down Under to stretch Wales’ early lead to seven points. However, Berrick Barnes hit back for the hosts and then added a second penalty.

Barnes then released Rob Horne for a crucial try and added the extras himself to give the hosts a 13-7 half-time lead.

A mistake by Will Genia saw Jonathan Davies haul Wales back into the game. Halfpenny slotted the conversion and the full-back exchanged penalties with Barnes as Wales kept their noses in front. Barmes knocked over another penalty but Cooper Vuna was sent to the sin-bin after a clumsy challenge on Halfpenny in the air. The diminutive full-back got back up and slotted a monster penalty to regain the slender lead.

Barnes hit back after Bradley Davies was penalised at the break down but Halfpenny was again on target before Barnes stepped up for what looked a simple penalty. But amazingly the fly-half, who appeared to be carrying a knock, pushed his effort wide and departed to be replaced by Harris.

With the clock ticking Australia kicked to the corner. They launched a rolling maul and Wales were penalised, with New Zealand-born fly-half Harris writing his name in Wallaby history.