The Qantas Wallabies have recorded an historic 29-29 draw with Wales in their Spring Tour clash at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
The much-anticipated match was touted as a preview to the World Cup clash between the two teams next September at the same venue and neither disappointed in the thrilling draw - the first between the two since their maiden encounter in 1908.
Australia dominated the majority of the opening half as it forged a 17-6 lead midway through the term before the hosts stepped up to trail by just one point, 16-17, at the break.
It was then the home side's turn to pile on the pressure as they mounted an assault in the second half and stormed into the lead before a second try to Cameron Shepherd and a 64th minute five-pointer from Chris Latham once again had the visitors in front.
Wales replacement James Hook slotted a 71st minute penalty goal to lock the scores and despite both sides having opportunities to steal victory, the draw was cemented in history when time was called.
The Wallabies wasted little time testing the Wales line and were looking dangerous in the opening minutes of the encounter.
Some brilliant work down the right wing culminated in a penalty awarded to the visitors, with Matt Giteau on target to give the Australians an early 3-0 lead.
Stephen Jones levelled the scores four minutes later when he slotted a penalty goal after Rodney Blake was pinged for hands in the ruck, but the Wallabies stormed ahead in the 12th minute after the first try of the match.
A damaging run from Wycliff Palu split the Wales defence up the middle before the ball sailed wide to Shepherd who crossed for his first of two tries.
Giteau added the extras to give Australia a 10-3 advantage.
With little international exposure over the past few months, Wales was looking flat and struggled to get valuable possession and very rarely found themselves in good field position.
But Gavin Henson reduced the gap to 13-17 when he booted a penalty goal and Wales remained within striking distance, and when Hook added another three points about a minute before half-time, Wales was back to within one point.
Another penalty goal from Hook gave Wales the lead for the first time in the match in the 50th minute, before Martyn Williams pounced on a loose ball to score and widen the home side's advantage to 26-17.
Australia looked shaken by the second half form of its host but failed to surrender with a superb Lote Tuqiri run sparking the next of the Wallabies' tries.
Tuqiri charged through the defence on the way to what looked like a certain five-pointer before Shane Williams pulled off a miraculous tackle. The ball was quickly spread wide and Shepherd scooted over next to the posts for his second try of the night as Australia reduced its deficit to just two points (24-26).
Five minutes later Latham powered down the left wing, stepping past one defender before shrugging off two tackles and diving over the line to give Australia back the lead.
But the 29-26 buffer was short lived as Hook neatly slots a penalty goal with nine minutes to play.
Another huge Millennium Stadium crowd will witness Wales go head to head with the Pacific Island while Australia heads to Rome for a clash with Italy next Saturday.
Australia 29
Tries: Shepherd 2, Giteau, Latham
Conversions: Giteau 3
Penalties: Giteau
Wales 29
Tries: S Williams, M Williams
Conversions: Hook 2
Penalties: Hook 3, S Jones, Henson
