Youngster Jonathan Thomas had a good debut for Wales

Defeat extended Wales' losing Test run to seven matches but skipper Williams was pleased with the spirited performance against the world champions.

"We gave it our best shot," Williams said. "But the feeling is more frustration and disappointment.

"I think, as we've shown in the past, there's been big scalps there for the taking but we haven't quite got there.

"They had the power up front but credit to our guys, they handled it well, it was a good performance.

Australia sink brave Wales

"I think we showed a few people we can play a bit. We've got some good young players, things are looking good."

Williams believes Wales can take heart from their battling performance ahead of the World Cup in Australia.

"We have a young side and we're building - and there are others left at home who couldn't make this trip - but we'll be ready when the World Cup starts," he vowed.

Opposite number George Gregan admitted that the Welsh had caused his Wallabies side problems and that some things would need to be addressed before facing England next week.

But Gregan was full of praise for former Australia rugby league wing Wendell Sailor, who grabbed two tries.

We've got a lot of work to do. The big game is next week Australia wing Wendell Sailor

"Wales put pressure on us," Gregan said. "We expected them to make it difficult to get some fluid moves going.

"There is need to improve on all aspects of out game. It should be a good contest next week in Melbourne.

"Wendell did very well. That individual effort was fantastic."

Sailor was delighted after tripling his Test try count, adding the two against Wales to the one he claimed against England in last year's 32-31 autumn Test loss at Twickenham.

"I very much enjoyed that," Sailor said, although he admitted that it wasn't the ideal preparation for next week's England clash.

"We've got a lot of work to do. Really, I think Wales played well. The big game is next week, so we'll have to regroup for that."

Australia coach Eddie Jones praised Wales and was grateful that his players were made to fight for their win.

"The Welsh were much tougher opposition than Ireland, that was a good workout for us," Jones said.

We turned over some soft tries, which really hurt us Wales coach Steve Hansen

"They've got some good players, they're strong in the tackles and they're hard to beat.

"Three weeks we've been together now and we're happy with the progress we're getting, but we know we've got a lot of work to do.

"We're probably not a confident team at the moment in moving the ball, but that will come to us."

Wales coach Steve Hansen was also taking positives out of the match, believing it was closer than the final scoreline suggested.

"I though the first-half performance, even though the scoreboard said 18-3, was very, very good," Hansen said.

"We turned over some soft tries, which really hurt us, but I was really pleased with the composure of the boys to come back into it.

"They never gave up and we were probably unfortunate not to score a couple more tries."