Williams solo run not enough to save Wales

FT: Wales 18 Australia 24

Shane Williams ended his Test career with a superb solo score but it was not enough to help Wales to victory over Australia as Leigh Halfpenny’s second-half sin-binning proved critical at the Millennium Stadium.

Arch finisher Williams slipped between two Australian tacklers to race in in the final minute and bring the ground to its feet as Wales bade farewell to one of its great rugby heroes.

Wales had led 6-3 after 49 minutes thanks to two Rhys Priestland penalties, but Halfpenny’s yellow card for tackling James O’Connor without the ball changed the complexion of the game as scrum-half Will Genia and wing Lachie Turner crossed, with Berrick Barnes adding a third try and O’Connor kicking nine points.

Priestland fought his way over for Wales’ first try but the comeback came too late to make Williams’ 87th and final Test appearance a successful one.

Australia killed the game off after Shane Williams blotted his big day by playing a pop pass to nobody which was seized on by Turner, the Wallabies retained possession to allow the superb Barnes to canter over for another converted try.

Wales bravely fought back and Priestland wriggled his way over down the narrow side, although his conversion struck the post.

Shane Williams, Toby Faletau and the restored Halfpenny then took the hosts back into the Australian 22 but the Wallabies survived.

But Wales had the last word and it was fitting that Shane Williams was the man to get the score, slipping a tackle near the 22 to race in for his 58th and final Welsh Test try.