Wales have fallen outside of the top 10 in World Rugby's rankings for the first time in their history as a result of their 25-16 defeat to Australia in Sydney. This is now their eighth Test defeat on the bounce, and if they don't succeed in turning things around sharply they could equal, if not beat, their worst-ever run of losses this autumn. Wales were always in the game and if a contentious second-half try wasn't disallowed they may well have come out on top.
But they didn't and Warren Gatland's side really do have their backs against the wall ahead of next Saturday's second Test in Melbourne. SIGN UP: Get the new exclusive Inside Welsh rugby newsletter for full insight into what's really going on around all the big issues. This special offer will get you full access for the entire year for just £10 instead of £40.
Winners Aaron Wainwright He ended up on the losing side but the Dragons No 8 was nothing short of outstanding. Wainwright carried hard throughout and got Wales out of trouble on a number of occasions when the scrum was going backwards. The 26-year-old has developed into a top-end Test player and excels in every aspect of the game.
He also put in 16 tackles and was Wales' top carrier with eight. The Dragons No 8 also came extremely close to creating Wales' second try when he sliced through Australia's defence, only for a last- ditch ankle tap denying him the chance of offloading to the supporting player who would have scored. If Wainwright carries on in this fa.
