Australia dominated the opening half hour and raced into a 17-6 lead with tries from Cameron Shepherd and Matt Giteau.

But Wales launched a courageous comeback and opened a nine-point lead with tries from Shane Williams and Martyn Williams either side of half-time.

Australia surged ahead again with a second try from Shepherd and a dazzling solo effort from Chris Latham but once again Wales refused to be beaten.

James Hook, making his home debut as a first-half replacement for the injured Stephen Jones, played a starring role and landed the penalty which ensured a share of the spoils.

Australia started fast and barely let up for the opening 30 minutes as they charged ahead with some brilliantly clinical rugby.

Giteau and Stephen Jones exchanged penalties before Australia ripped open the Wales defence for the first time.

Mat Rogers off-loaded the pass out of a two-man tackle and Shepherd went over in the corner for his second Test try.

Gavin Henson landed a long-range penalty to keep Wales in touch but they were under constant assault from the Wallabies.

After 13 minutes Australia had enjoyed a remarkable 84% of possession - and they were making it count.

Tom Shanklin was penalised five metres out and then turned his back, allowing Giteau to take a quick tap and dive in for a second try in the corner.

Wales lost captain Stephen Jones to a knee injury after 23 minutes but staged a courageous fightback just before half-time.

Henson's offload to Shanklin broke the Australian defence and Shane Williams finished off a brilliant try in the corner.

Hook landed the conversion and then a penalty to bring Wales within a point at the interval.

Wales looked a far more confident outfit than at the start of the first half and, incredibly, moved into the lead with another penalty from Hook after Shane Williams had been taken out off the ball.

Wales then opened a nine-point lead after Martyn Williams won the race to Shanklin's hacked clearance downfield.

But the Wallabies hit back mercilessly as the game swung back their way.

Shepherd slid over for his second try of the game, which was confirmed by television official Kelvin Deaker.

And Latham ran in a 50-yard solo effort to regain the lead for Australia.

But when Al Baxter was caught on the wrong side of a ruck Hook, with the pressure growing as the clock ticked down, slotted the penalty to level the scores.