IT was the first time since 1975 Australia failed to score a try against Wales, and the lowest margin of victory by Australia in the past eight games between the sides since 1991.

So much for the 'positives' about this Welsh performance, but the fact remains it was still a 21-13 defeat and if the Australians had been anything like their best they would have run in at least three tries.

But partly because of a stubborn Welsh defence and partly because of their own unusually poor handling the world champions left the Millennium Stadium yesterday without a try to their name.

Instead they had to rely on seven Matt Burke penalties as referee Steve Lander of England blew constantly, awarding a stream of penalties, the final count being 19-12 in favour of Australia.

With great irony, it was Wales who scored the only try of the game even if it was at the death when it couldn't effect the outcome.

But at least they took their chance when they finally piled on the pressure, handled smartly with replacement Chris Wyatt ploughing on and when Rob Howley took a quick tap penalty Gavin Thomas, another replacement, plunged over for the try.

For that alone Wales can take credit, especially when they kept their own line intact, however fortuitously. It represented some progress after those dreadful performances against Ireland and Argentina. But clearly Wales were still some way behind the Australians and the statistics show they spent a staggering 30 minutes in their own half.

The scrums appeared a problem throughout with Wales unable to secure any sort of platform, and without the necessary stability, they were always going to founder.

They also lost several balls on their own throw, and, starved of the kind of possession they needed the Welsh backs were always going to be up against it.

Yet the world champions still appeared to lack real drive. They made more handling errors than in half-a-dozen other matches, suffering particularly in the centre where Elton Flatley and Graeme Bond were a completely untried partnership in the absence of Daniel Herbert and Nathan Grey.

In fact, replacement Steve Kefu threatened more than the others. Burke also made mistakes in an uncertain display for him, all of which meant potential matchwinning wings Ben Tune and Joe Roff were neglected, though Roff was over the line on one occasion only to be recalled for a previous offence.

Wales gave their fans early hope when Iestyn Harris kicked an eighth minute penalty after Australian lock David Giffin was yellow carded for a stamping offence.

Three Burke penalties eased Australia into a 9-3 interval lead after an eminently forgettable first half.

Any hopes Wales had of turning things around were soon extinguished at the start of the second half when Burke landed two more penalties.

Though Harris replied with his second Burke put two more over as Australia appeared to be cruising.

Then came that final Welsh attack and the try, though not before hostilities broke out again. This time rival locks Andy Moore and Justin Harrison were yellow carded after a punch-up.

At least Wales had the last word, but they'll need a lot more if they're going to achieve anything in the Six Nations.