Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson scored a last-gasp converted try to deny a valiant Fiji 21-18 on Sunday and avoid an embarrassing defeat.
Australia coach Joe Schmidt and his coaching staff will be scratching their heads looking for answers ahead of the three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions.
In their only Test before facing Andy Farrell’s tourists, Australia surrendered a 14-0 lead in front of a full house in Newcastle, New South Wales before Wilson saved blushes with a minute to go.
Wilso wins it at the death 😤#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/DWcr0mjBWW
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 6, 2025
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It helped erase memories of their stunning 22-15 upset by Fiji during a torturous 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign – their first defeat to the Pacific Islanders in 69 years. But it will have done nothing to strike fear into the Lions, with Australia guilty of missed chances and silly mistakes, denied two tries for forward passes.
They were without injured big guns Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Jake Gordon and their presence was missed.
The Wallabies are set to face the Lions on three successive Saturdays, in Brisbane (19 July), Melbourne (26 July) and Syndey (2 August).
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