Australia finally got the first test win of their tour of Europe, as they beat Wales 21-13 courtesy of seven Matt Burke penalties under the closed roof of the Millennium Stadium today.
But it was far from a convincing victory for the world champions, smarting from defeats to England and France over the last two weeks.
They were harried throughout by a Wales team who put in an encouraging performance and scored the only try of the game in injury time through flanker Gavin Thomas.
Iestyn Harris kicked two penalties for Wales, one in each half, but Australia could have won by a greater margin if Burke's kicking game had been at its very best in a dour encounter. Burke missed two other chances.
The quality and commitment of the home side's display, not least in stopping the Wallabies from scoring a try, should give coach Graham Henry some breathing space after the losses to Ireland and Argentina.