Australia edge Wales to wrap up series 3-0

Australia 20 Wales 19

Australia relied on the boot of Berrick Barnes to edge Wales 20-19 this morning and secure a 3-0 whitewash in a series that was anything but one-sided.

Wales number eight Ryan Jones and Australia centre Rob Horne scored second half tries but in a match dominated by the whistle of referee Craig Joubert it was the five penalties from flyhalf Barnes that gave the Wallabies a seventh consecutive win over the Welsh.

Australia had already wrapped up the series with victories in Brisbane and Melbourne and, as in those two tests, they were pushed to the limit by the Six Nations champions in front of 43,000 at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Wales, who had 14 points from the kicking of Leigh Halfpenny, were seeking just their second win over the Wallabies in Australia and a first since 1969 but will return home empty-handed.

REUTERS