Slow start costs Wales
Wales fly-half Stephen Jones blamed a poor first half for his side’s 32-20 defeat to Australia at the Millennium Stadium in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup.
The Welsh trailed 25-3 at the break in a match which was expected to decide who will top the group and earn an easier path through the last eight.
Australia were outscored in the second half but held on to take the win.
Jones told ITV1: “We were particularly frustrated with ourselves in the first half – we didn’t play well and we allowed Australia to play.
“In the second half we were more efficient, we were more intense.”
He added: “Their defence was very good but we weren’t very clever in attack. It’s frustrating to have lost today and we have got to learn to play over 80 minutes.”
Chris Latham scored two tries for the Wallabies and was glad to have come through the toughest group fixture with a win.
The full-back said: “Credit Wales they kept throwing everything at us and we were a bit loose at times but to win here at Cardiff is a great win. A win’s a win here.”
