sport news Wallabies comeback sees Australia beat Wales in rugby union Test with Mark ... trends now

The 'eternal optimist' Dave Rennie never lost hope in his injury-ravaged side, with the Wallabies producing a stunning 21-point comeback to beat Wales 39-34 in Cardiff to close out their spring tour. 

In one of the most incredible finishes to a Test in recent memory, young hooker Lachlan Lonergan crossed for the match-winning try with just 90 seconds remaining in the match, after the Dragons were reduced to 13 men.

The win meant Australia avoided the unwanted 64-year first of having their worst calendar year since 1958, and no doubt relieved the pressure on Rennie after a rollercoaster end to the year. 

The Wallabies coach had to scramble to even fill a side against the former world no. 2, with 11 of the original 36-man spring tour squad unavailable: leaving Rennie 25 players from which to pick his 23-player game day team. 

The absence of players like Michael Hooper, Nic White, Dave Porecki and Taniela Tupou just gave the likes of rising stars Mark Nawaqanitawase, Lonergan and Len Ikitau a chance to shine. 

Nawaqanitawase in particular produced his best game in green and gold, scoring a second-half double and proving himself a nightmare for the Welsh defence all over the field. 

The fringe Waratah started the Super Rugby season on the bench, but Dave Rennie called him up to the spring tour squad while the then-uncapped 22-year-old was on holiday in New Zealand. 

And the rest, as they say, is history. 

'I guess that's life,' Nawaqanitawase said of his tough start to the Super Rugby season earlier in the year.

'Things go up and down sometimes, but I'm grateful for where I am at the moment and I couldn't score those tries without the boys.'

The electric winger said the inexperienced side wasn't deterred by the outside noise prior to the match, and said the win proved the Wallabies could compete with the best ahead of the World Cup next year. 

'As you can see by the other games, we've only lost by a point to the top teams so don't lose faith in us,' he said.

'We've got a strong team here. We back ourselves so hopefully everyone else backs us as well.'

Wales, who have been in a form slump of their own this year, dropping down seven ranking points to sit just behind Australia at no. 8, cruised to a 20-6 margin with less than half an hour played - and it looked like the Wallabies were set for yet another loss.

Skipper James Slipper then copped a head knock and was forced from the field, meaning Rennie was forced to call on back-up Sam Talakai; astonishingly the 51st player to be used by the Wallabies in an injury-ravaged 2022.  

Crafty play by Folau Fainga'a after a powerful rolling maul gave Australia their first try in the 33rd

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