Ratings: Genia runs the show
The Wallabies' Jekyll and Hyde performances continued, as the Men in Gold bounced back from their midweek loss to Scotland with a 27-19 win over Wales in Brisbane on Saturday.
The home side were under huge pressure going into this match - especially as they hadn't lost to Wales since 2008 - but mainly after their unimpressive (and try-less) performance against the Scots.
The Wallabies started off strongly and were then forced to withstand a serious Welsh fightback.
In the end, however, the performance of halfbacks Will Genie and Berrick Barnes - Genia, in particular, was outstanding - paved the way for the win.
We rate the Wallaby players:
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper:
The Welsh kickers initially targeted him - with the tall visiting wings no doubt planning on taking him on in the air - but the 'Tahs man stood up nicely under that initial aerial bombardment. Was strong on attack too.
7/10
14 Cooper Vuna:
Started with a loose quick throw and battled a little bit to contain North on an early run. Not a bad effort though and chased hard all night.
6/10
13 Rob Horne:
Botched a clear try-scoring opportunity early in the match when he should have passed to an unmarked Digby Ioane (luckily for him, the Wallabies scored soon enough afterwards). Stood up well on defence and bled for the cause.
6/10
12 Pat McCabe:
Solid on the night, straightening the line on attack and making his hits on defence. Scott Williams is no Jamie Roberts, so bigger tests will come, but ran a nice - and intelligent - line off Will Genia to collect his crucial try. Moved to the wing in the last few minutes.
7/10
11 Digby Ioane:
Did not have enough opportunities on attack to really threaten. Made a fantastic ball-'n-all hit on Rhys Priestland in the first half, but very nearly fluffed his lines in the last quarter when Alex Cuthbert chased a kick ahead in the Australian 22, robbing the Wallaby flyer of the ball. Also made another mistake when trying to field a high ball just short of his own 10m line in the 73rd minute.
6/10
10 Berrick Barnes:
Missed two shots at goal - both of which hit the uprights - and also slotted a neat drop-goal from close-range. Whilst not all his decisions were spot on, he delivered an authoritative display and wasn't scared to take chances. Showed great awareness when he took a quick - and long - penalty kick which allow Vuna to chase the ball out and win more valuable ground for the home side.
8/10
9 Will Genia:
Quite simply the most outstanding player on the park. He was a constant threat with ball in hand, showing a great turn of pace whenever he was given enough space to operate. His decision-making was excellent on the night and his try - his third Test match try in three appearances in Brisbane - was superbly taken... and match-changing. The clincher, however, was his beautiful delayed pass to fellow try-scorer McCabe in the second half.
9/10
8 Wycliff Palu:
Started off strongly with some good carries but faded a bit towards the end of his stay on the field. Still, it would have been a confidence booster for him after an horrific run of injuries.
6/10
7 David Pocock (captain):
Won the battle with his opposite number in terms of the breakdown battle. Made an early, and crucial, steal to set the tone and also made an important tackle out wide on centre Jonathan Davies in the first half. Played to the limit yet again, in terms of pushing the boundaries at the breakdown, and communicated well with referee Craig Joubert.
7/10
6 Scott Higginbotham:
Scored his team's first try, a well-taken effort from close-range and his first ever try at Test level. Had a busy night, in terms of carrying and defence, and capped it off with a good cover-like tackle on Cuthbert in the 73rd minute.
7/10
5 Nathan Sharpe:
Still the Wallabies' best second row forward, he soldiered on into the final quarter despite taking a knock to his eye. A valuable man for the Wallabies, especially with a younger player like Rob Simmons trying to put his hand up at this level.
7/10
4 Rob Simmons:
Full of energy and started off well in terms of making a few ball carries. Would have been buoyed by this performance against the Six Nations champions - the likes of Davies, Charteris and Wyn Jones are very good second row forwards.
6/10
3 Sekope Kepu:
The Wallabies front row conceded an early free-kick and then two furher scrum penalties. Scrumming issues aside, he was solid enough around the park.
5/10
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau:
Did the hard yards with ball in hand, but still prone to losing the odd ball in contact and a wobbly line-out throw or two. Showed great skill to tip-toe down the touchline and flick a behind the back pass to Genia. Left the field after a big collision with Wales centre Williams. Was part of the front effort which conceded a free-kick and two penalties.
6/10
1 Benn Robinson:
Was part of the front effort which conceded a free-kick and two penalties. The Wallabies will be happy to have him back in the No.1 jersey.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Stephen Moore (On for Tatafu Polota-Nau - 56th minute):
Didn't have a whole lot to do after replacing a groggy Polota-Nau. Did well to catch Barnes's second penalty ricochet. Still remains a better starting option than the man he replaced.
6/10.
17 Ben Alexander (On for Benn Robinson - 59th minute):
Not enough opportunities during his on-field stint to be rated.
18 Dave Dennis (On for Nathan Sharpe - 64th minute):
Not enough opportunities during his on-field stint to be rated.
19 Michael Hooper (On for Wycliff Palu - 59th minute):
Not enough opportunities during his on-field stint to be rated.
20 Nic White:
Unused.
21 Anthony Fainga'a (On for Rob Horne - 50th to 56th minutes; on for Vuna - 71st minute):
Made plenty tackles during his first stint - as a blood bin replacement - but did not get enough opportunities to be rated fairly.
22 Mike Harris:
Unused.