Sports Latest
The latest UK & World sports news from the Press Association
Wales suffer home Wallabies defeat
19:45, Nov 28 2009
Wales crashed to their biggest home defeat of Warren Gatland's reign - a 33-12 loss - as Australia atoned for their Murrayfield nightmare in commanding fashion.
The Wallabies - beaten by Scotland seven days ago - romped over for three tries in 16 minutes through centre Digby Ioane, lock James Horwill and flanker David Pocock, while Wales lost three players injured - Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny and Matthew Rees.
Replacement hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau scored Australia's fourth try in the second half while man of the match Matt Giteau kicked 13 points.
The Wallabies were superior in every facet of the game and Wales were booed off the field after failing to breach the Australian try-line.
Gatland's men had to settle for three Stephen Jones penalties and a long-range strike from Leigh Halfpenny.
It was the first time in 11 Tests this year that Wales had leaked four tries or more - and defence coach Shaun Edwards will inevitably conduct a brutal inquest and Wales boss Warren Gatland, meanwhile, must reflect on the second-heaviest defeat of his 22-Test reign, and the biggest loss in Cardiff that resulted in his team being booed off.
He wanted his team to make a statement going into their RBS 6 Nations opener against struggling England in 10 weeks' time, but Martin Johnson's men should not lose any sleep.
Wales players fell off tackles far too easily, and Australia needed no second invitation to wreak havoc. The result was never in doubt following Australia's initial scoring blitz, and a 74,339 crowd was stunned into relative silence for long periods.
The manner of Australia's win will send shock waves reverberating through the Wales camp. Currently sixth in the official world rankings, they had backed themselves to end their autumn series by claiming the Wallabies' scalp for a second successive season.
But all the performance served in doing was providing Gatland with graphic evidence that Wales have a huge amount of hard work ahead if they are to be serious World Cup challengers in 2011.
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more
Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more
France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris. more
Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ended an emotional week on a huge high as his team ruthlessly hammered Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane. more
England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
