Super Roff acts out Welsh nightmare

Rugby Union

ACT 69 Wales 30

Wales' tour to Australia came off the rails in Canberra yesterday in the second match, with Joe Roff scoring four tries.

Australian Capital Territory, who had a superb Super 12 series, scored 44 unanswered points in the second half to leave Wales with a mountain to climb during the remainder of their tour. Wales opened their tour with a 62-20 win over Western Australia.

The Welsh did not have the forward power or the organised defence to contain ACT, who ran in 10 tries. "We knew from the Super 12 competition what we were coming to, and now we have experienced it first hand," the Welsh tour manager, Terry Cobner, said.

For all that, Wales held a nine-point lead after 34 minutes only to end up being completely blown away after reaching half-time 24-23 down.

ACT: Tries Roff 4, Howard, Larkham, Gregan, Finegan, Hardy, Robinson; Conversions Knox 8; Penalty Knox. Wales: Tries Howley 2, Hill, Williams; Conversions Jenkins 2; Penalties Jenkins 2.

ACT: S Larkham; M Hardy, A Magro, P Howard, J Roff; D Knox, G Gregan; P Noreiga, M Caputo, E McKenzie, J Langford, D Giffin, I Fenukitau, B Robinson (capt), O Finegan.

WALES: C Cormack (Pontypridd); S Hill (Cardiff), L Davies (Neath), J Funnell (Neath), G Thomas (Pontypridd); N Jenkins (Pontypridd), R Howley (Bridgend); C Loader (Swansea), J Humphreys (Cardiff, capt), J Davies (Neath), G Llewellyn (Harlequins), D Jones (Cardiff), A Gibbs (Newbridge), H Taylor (Cardiff), S Williams (Neath).

n David Campese has been recalled to a much-changed Australia side for his 93rd cap when the Wallabies play Wales on Saturday. The ACT wing Joe Roff will play at centre, covering for the injured Jason Little.

AUSTRALIA: M Burke; D Campese, J Roff, T Horan, A Murdoch; P Howard, G Gregan; R Harry, M Caputo, E McKenzie, J Eales (capt), G Morgan, D Wilson, D Manu, O Finegan. Replacements: M Foley, D Crowley, M Brial, S Payne, S Bowen, S Larkham.