WALES were overpowered by Australia as their WXV2 campaign opened with a heavy 37-5 defeat in Cape Town.

Ioan Cunningham’s side headed into the clash at DHL Stadium buoyed by their dramatic last-gasp win against the Wallaroos at Rodney Parade but they failed to back up that historic first success against the Aussies.

Hooker Carys Phillips crashed over from a driving line-out after 31 minutes to cancel out Layne Morgan’s sniping score and tie the game at 5-5.

But it was one-way traffic after Australia prop Eva Karpani brushed aside three Welsh defenders on the stroke of half-time.

Faitala Moleka kicked a penalty before lively winger Maya Stewart raced clear and Lowri Cramer converted.

Moleka, Cramer and Stewart claimed tries in the final quarter, with Cramer adding a conversion, as the Wallaroos avenged their friendly defeat in Newport eight days earlier with a record win over Wales.

Wales will aim to respond when they take on Italy, who they edged out at the death in the Six Nations, next weekend before finishing against Japan.