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Last Updated: Saturday, 4 November 2006, 19:42 GMT
Wales v Australia ratings

WALES:

Number seven
Kevin Morgan - 7:
Played a key role in attack, threading a scoring pass to Shane Williams, and important interventions in defence, including one late tackle on Shepherd.

Number six
Gareth Thomas - 6:
Resumed captaincy duties when Stephen Jones was injured, but given little space to show his wares on his return to the side.

Number seven
Tom Shanklin - 7:
Concentration exposed when Giteau sneaked past him for his try, but positive in attack and his kick ahead set up Martyn Williams' try.

Number seven
Gavin Henson - 7:
Landed long-range penalty and a brilliant off-load set up Shane Williams try. Allowed Latham past him for try, but a satisfactory return.

Number eight
Shane Williams - 8:
Constant threat with his running, and rewarded with 27th Test try. Also made a try-saving intervention on his own line to deny Tuqiri.

Number six
Stephen Jones - 6:
Slotted an early penalty but new captain's match ended prematurely when a twisted knee forced him off after just 23 minutes.

Number seven
Dwayne Peel - 7:
Recovered well from a worrying early knock and always looked to keep Wales on the front foot with his probing and passing.

Number seven
Gethin Jenkins - 7:
Helped give Australia plenty of problems at scrum-time, switching to the tight-head side for the last 15 minutes.

Number six
Matthew Rees - 6:
Did not always find his jumpers at the line-out but the Scarlets hooker's tireless work-rate epitomised Wales' recovery.

Number six
Adam Jones - 6:
Played his part in the set-piece battle before making way for Duncan Jones for last 15 minutes, putting himself about well.

Number six
Ian Gough - 6:
Tremendous tackle on Dan Vickerman in the second half lifted Wales when the Aussies were dominant, part of a solid all-round display.

Number six
Ian Evans - 6:
Rising star of the second row will have benefited from his latest Test match experience as he puts his case for a World Cup spot.

Number seven
Jonathan Thomas - 7:
Good line-out option and industrious display on his return to the starting line-up after a couple of seasons mainly on the bench.

Number eight
Martyn Williams - 8:
A brilliant try-saving tackle on Rocky Elsom, and typically lung-busting efforts rewarded with an opportunistic finish for Wales' second try.

Number seven
Ryan Jones - 7:
Eased his way back into international rugby following a lengthy injury absence. Still rusty, but encouraging return nonetheless.

REPLACEMENTS:

Number nine
James Hook - 9:
The 21-year-old showed immense maturity after replacing Jones, his tactical nous and flawless kicking display ensuring Wales shared the spoils.

Number six
Duncan Jones - 6:
Replaced his Ospreys namesake Adam for last 15 minutes, helping keep the pressure on as Wales won a vital late scrum against the head.


AUSTRALIA:

Number nine
Chris Latham - 9:
Capped a typically brilliant performance with a superb solo try, beating three Welsh tacklers; a constant threat in attack and solid in defence.

Number six
Clyde Rathbone - 6:
Had the odd dart in attack but struggled to get himself into the game despite the abundance of Australian possession.

Number seven
Lote Tuqiri - 7:
The rugby league convert showed plenty of power in attack and defence, but could not force his way over the Welsh try-line.

Number seven
Stephen Larkham - 7:
Started superbly when he showcased his range of passing, but faded as Wales hit back and was forced off injured in second half.

Number seven
Cameron Shepherd - 7:
Earned his place by collecting two tries on only his second Test start, showing some sharp hand-eye coordination and finishing.

Number six
Mat Rogers - 6:
Started brightly, with a smart off-load to Shepherd for his opening try, but not totally convincing at number 10 and lost possession at times.

Number eight
Matt Giteau - 8:
Pulled the strings for Australia in attack, quick-thinking earning him a try, but a missed penalty at 17-6 up helped turn the tide for Wales.

Number five
Al Baxter - 5:
Conceded penalty that allowed Hook to level scores, and little sign that he is up to the mark at scrum-time despite switch to loose-head.

Number six
Tai McIsaac - 6:
Hit his jumpers well in the line-out but part of a creaking Aussie front row and replaced at half-time by Brendan Cannon.

Number six
Rodney Blake - 6:
Lucky to get away with impeding Gareth Thomas, "Rodzilla" was frustrated in his efforts to batter his way over the Welsh line.

Number seven
Nathan Sharpe - 7:
A secure source of line-out possession and carried the ball well, but could not totally get on top of his Welsh opponents.

Number six
Dan Vickerman - 6:
Denied a try by some smothering Welsh defence and put in a solid display before being replaced by Mark Chisholm late on.

Number seven
Rocky Elsom - 7:
A bustling display from the blind-side flanker but denied what seemed a certain try by Martyn Williams after bursting out of a maul.

Number six
Phil Waugh - 6:
The skipper made a nuisance of himself as usual but could not dominate the breakdown. Kept Jonathan Thomas at bay with one powerful tackle.

Number seven
Wycliff Palu - 7:
The giant number eight drove powerfully at the Welsh defence, setting up the opening try for Shepherd. Replaced by Hoiles after 55 minutes.

REPLACEMENTS:

Number six
Brendan Cannon - 6:
Came on to steady the front row at half-time, but unable to stem the dominant Welsh scrum, losing a vital one against the head.

Number six
Mark Chisholm - 6:
Came on for Vickerman for the last seven minutes, but too little time to make any real impression on the game.

Number five
Stephen Hoiles - 5:
Billed as an emerging star, but a clumsy fall after replacing Palu allowed Martyn Williams to steal in for Wales' second try.

Number six
Josh Valentine - 6:
Came on at scrum-half in the second-half reshuffle that saw Giteau revert to centre. Looked lively.

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