Wallabies down Wales to make winning start to Schmidt era

SYDNEY :Australia gave Joe Schmidt a winning start to his reign as coach with a hard-fought 25-16 victory over Wales on Saturday, their first win over a tier one nation since they beat the Welsh in Cardiff in late 2022.

Tries from prop Taniela Tupou, Filipo Daugunu and Tom Wright gave the Wallabies the edge in a scrappy contest between the world's ninth and 10th-ranked teams and condemned Wales to an eighth straight loss.

Wales earned a penalty try in the first half and flyhalf Ben Thomas kicked three penalties but they rarely offered anything by way of a backline threat as the Wallabies gained a measure of revenge for their 40-6 drubbing at last year's World Cup.

"A win is really important because of the confidence you get from it," said Schmidt.

"We stuck at it. There were some nice... moments and some work-ons as well. There's a real 'sleeves up' mentality in the group and I'm really enjoying it."

A rain shower swept over the stadium during the playing of the national anthems and the early play was cagey with Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio and Thomas exchanging penalties.

Lolesio added another three-pointer in the 15th minute and Australia went further ahead when prop Tupou barged his way over the line from close range for the first try of the game six minutes later.

Wales prop Gareth Thomas was sin-binned for an infraction during the lead-up to the try but Australia had the extra man for only four minutes.

The visitors rolled a maul towards the try line from an attacking lineout and Fraser McReight was adjudged to have collapsed it, the referee pointing to the posts for a penalty try before showing the yellow card to the Wallabies openside.

The rest of the half was scoreless and it was not until six minutes into the second