Australia have now beaten Wales in all of their last 11 meetings and this impressive win at Twickenham means the Wallabies are rewarded with a less daunting clash against Scotland in the last eight.

Wales beat South Africa in Cardiff in November last year but they will have to be more clinical against the Springboks, as Australia managed to come through unscathed in the second half, despite enduring 10 minutes with 13 men.

Dan Biggar kicked six points for the Welsh but Australian fly-half Bernard Foley’s five penalties was enough to edge an absorbing contest.

With the two-man advantage, Wales simply had to capitalise but Australia put on a 10-minute masterclass in last-ditch defence, resisting their opponents' assault on their try-line with guts and organisation.

Unscathed by a single point and restored to full strength, Australia swarmed forward and almost scored themselves as Folau danced his way through two defenders but was dragged down just short of the line.

Foley ensured the attack did not go unrewarded as he kicked his fifth penalty to make it 15-6 with nine minutes remaining and Wales’ disappointing night was compounded when Cuthbert was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on.

Foley skewed the kick wide but it did little to tarnish the Australians’ satisfaction when the full-time whistle finally blew.