Wales sneak 36-35 win against Queensland Reds in Brisbane

Warren Gatland’s men, who were whitewashed in the Six Nations, beaten by South Africa and doubled by Australia, sneaked a thriller in Brisbane after making life hard for themselves.

Wales led 24-14 at half-time thanks to tries by tighthead Archie Griffin, wingers Regan Grace and Rio Dyer and flanker Christ Tshiunza.

Former Dragons centre Nick Tompkins powered over early in the second half to take total command at 31-14 only for Reds hooker Richie Asiata to complete a hat-trick of tries from lineout drives then wing Mac Grealy to go over to make it a three-point game.

Queensland then struck for the lead with an incredible try, reaping the rewards of playing from their own try line for Grealy to make it 33-31.

However, the final say went to scrum-half Hardy after he darted over to finish a multi-phase attack that had ramped up the pressure.

The pressure is still on Gatland because of a nine-Test losing streak but the victory at least provided some cheer at the end of a long, long international season.

CHARGE: Matthew Screech on the run for Wales against Queensland Reds (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Wales made a late change when Cory Hill, a controversial choice as captain, pulled out for personal reasons.

The lock apologised in midweek for an incident in 2021 when he was among a group of individuals who damaged a woman’s house.

His withdrawal led to Gareth Davies taking over as captain, Dafydd Jenkins starting and hooker Dewi Lake covering back row from the bench.

Wales struck first when Griffin went over from close range with the assistance of Jenkins, Sam Costelow’s conversion striking a post.

However, they then racked up the penalties and were shoved over their line in the 14th minute for the first of Asiata’s tries.

Back came Wales and they were back in front when quick hands got them in down the left for Dragons winger Dyer to draw the last man for Grace to race over.

This time Costelow converted from out wide and the fly-half was on target in the 21st minute for the third try, kicking to the right wing for Dyer to catch and cross.

Another excellent conversion made it 19-7 but the basketball style rugby continued with the Reds responding immediately through James O’Connor, only for the former Wallabies playmaker to be denied when TMO footage revealed Dyer had dislodged the ball on the line.

The Aussies kept the pressure on and hooker Evan Lloyd was yellow-carded for offside, with the Reds kicking a penalty to the corner and then mauling over for a second for hooker Asiata. O’Connor added the extras to make it 19-14 after 28 minutes.

That’s how it stayed until the stroke of half-time when Wales were beneficiaries of a Reds howler.

TRY: Dragons wing Rio Dyer scores for Wales against Queensland Reds (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)

Wing Grealy called a 22 and attempted to go quickly but knocked on, then the tourists won a penalty that was kicked to the corner for flanker Christ Tshiunza to go over with ease.

Wales started the second half on the front foot and tried to stretch their advantage with a chip over the top for Nick Tompkins in the 22 but the Reds were more alive to the threat than the Wallabies were at the World Cup last September.

Gatland men – and Exeter – suffered a blow when Tshiunza was forced off but they dusted themselves down to get try number five thanks to Tompkins stepping and then powering over after a terrific Costelow 50:22.

The fly-half’s conversion made it a three-score game at 31-14 and it would take a monumental Queensland comeback to cause an upset.

However, the drive got them back within 10 thanks to the Asiata-O’Connor seven-pointer and the hosts had a bout of pressure approaching the hour.

It paid off when centre Tim Ryan put Grealy over with a pass that looked forward, O’Connor converting to make it 31-28 in the final quarter.

Wales kicked penalties to the corner in a bid to settle the nerves with a sixth try only for the Reds to stand firm.

They earned a scrum on their own line and opted to play out, followed by a charge through a ruck by flanker Seru Uru that set up a sensational score down the left for Grealy.

O’Connor converted to make it 35-31 and meant that Wales had to hunt a try to take the spoils in the closing stages.

One trip to the 22 was frustratingly pointless courtesy of a harsh penalty call but they made no mistake in the 79th minute, Hardy sniping after full-back Cam Winnett was dragged down just short.

Wales failed to claim the restart after the hooter had sounded but were relieved that a combination of Tommy Reffell and Matthew Screech won a breakdown penalty.

Now they need a return of the winning feeling when they host Fiji in their autumn opener.

Reds scorers: tries – Asiata (3), Grealy (2); conversions – O’Connor (5).

Wales scorers: tries – Griffin, Grace, Dyer, Tshiunza, Tompkins, Hardy; conversions – Costelow (3).