Who won Australia vs. Wales rugby union match? Score, result of Wallabies' 2024 International Test in Sydney

The Wallabies are looking to rebound after an awful 2023, which saw them lose every game at the Rugby Championship as well as going out of the World Cup in the pool stage for the first time ever.

They faced Wales in that ill-fated tournament, and they were given a 40-6 hiding in Lyon, so the Wallabies will have plenty of motivation to put things right and build momentum ahead of The Rugby Championship in August and September.

MORE: The full schedule of rugby union internationals in 2024

Who won Australia vs. Wales rugby union match?

• Wallabies win 25 - 16

It’s hard to decipher what would be less enticing for the rugby purists in this first Test of a two-game series: the litany of handling errors or Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight rocking the fluorescent yellow boots currently popular with Wallaby outside backs. He should be expecting a letter in the mail from the Forwards Union and some form of sanctioning, surely.

With Wales succumbing to an eighth straight loss, Warren Gatland will no longer be looking over his shoulder: he knows what is there waiting for him.

And it could have been worse.

The Wallabies, led by Taniela Tupou and not known for their scrummaging, monstered Wales early on. Injuries, inexperience and an improved performance in the second half aside, after South Africa did similar in their 41-13 win a fortnight ago this will be a cause for concern for the Welsh.

Just look at this effort.

From the 10-20 minute mark, Wales had just 12 per cent of the ball. Yet three straight penalties, followed by a penalty try and a yellow card to Wallaby Fraser McReight for attempting to collapse the maul in the 25th minute flipped the script of the game. Despite a litany of handling errors, uninspiring lineout and the aforementioned scrummaging issues, Wales were within a penalty of the Wallabies.

The Wallabies were not without their head-scratching moments - most notably Noah Lolesio’s decision to kick for a flying - literally flying at one point - Andrew Kellaway with the try line metres away instead of just going through the hands and walking it in would be top of Joe Schmidt’s notes in Monday’s video session.

22 penalties (combined), two yellow cards and some accidental karate (more on that below) wasn’t one for the record books but Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt and a success-starved Wallabies fan base will take it.

On the positive, Filipo Daugunu’s scything run from outside the 22 to put Australia up 18-13 showed everything the Wallabies backline is capable of with space. Tom Wright’s 65-metre solo effort to put the game beyond doubt even better.

Now, about that karate. Lolesio didn’t see it coming.

Wales’ winless record in Australia since 1969 continues. Their next chance to break the drought is in Melbourne on July 13.

Wallabies rugby union schedule 2024

All times are in AEST

How to watch rugby internationals in Australia

Some Wallabies games in 2024 will be shown on television via Channel Nine, as well as on their free to use streaming service 9Now.

For fans wanting to watch every minute of every match the Wallabies will play in 2024, Stan Sport will be showing every match of the Rugby Championship live and on demand.

Watch every match of the Rugby Internationals ad-free, live & on demand, with Wallabies at home in 4K UHD on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.

Wallabies team list for Test against Wales

Seven uncapped players were named in the team list for the first Test against Wales, including Josh Flook and Jeremy Williams in the starting side.

Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies royalty Michael Lynagh was named on the bench, whilst the captain for the match was Liam Wright.

1. James Slipper
2. Matt Faessler
3. Taniela Tupou
4. Jeremy Williams
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6. Liam Wright (C)
7. Fraser McReight
8. Rob Valenti
9. Jake Gordon
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Filipo Daugunu
12. Hunter Paisami
13. Josh Flook
14. Andrew Kellaway
15. Tom Wright
16. Billy Pollard
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Allan Alaalatoa
19. Angus Blyth
20. Charlie Cale
21. Tate McDermott
22. Tom Lynagh
23. Dylan Pietsch

Wallabies 38 man squad for July Tests

New coach Joe Schmidt has already named his 38-man squad for the July tests - the Wallabies also face a match against Georgia - and there are some notable absentees.

Rob Leota and David Porecki are recovering from injuries and haven't been named, whilst Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase were both omitted from the squad, with the pair securing early releases from their Rugby Australia contracts to join the NRL's Gold Coast Titans and Sydney Roosters respectively.

The Wallabies squad contains 13 uncapped players, including Alex Hodgman, who previously represented the All Blacks.

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