Image source, Getty Images

So that's that... Wales' last Test match of what has been an exhausting 12-month season that began last August with the World Cup warm-up games.

It's a ninth defeat in a row for Wales - their worst run since 2003 - but the performance may well be enough to ease any direct pressure on Warren Gatland.

Dewi Lake scored twice before Liam Williams and Rio Dyer both crossed in a thrilling match.

Twice Wales hauled themselves back to within a score but the 55-year wait for a win over the Wallabies in Australia goes on.

Wing Filipo Daugunu scored twice, either sides of tries by prop Allan Alaalatoa and scrum-half Jake Gordon as the Wallabies held out.

They now head up to Brisbane to face the Queensland Reds on Friday.

So join us then.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland speaking to Sky Sports: "We worked so hard for our points today and we're showing a little bit of inexperience in terms of how we've gifted them points.

"It's frustrating but I can't question how hard the boys work. We need to be honest with ourselves in terms of how we allowed them some soft tries.

"When you look at the tries they've (Australia) scored, it's a bounce of a ball or something's happened, so that's disappointing.

"First half I felt the guys kept trying, we scored a couple of nice tries and gave ourselves a chance to win the game.

"We've got a group of young men who have been excellent and they've just got to learn from those experiences and be more accurate in big moments.

"I'm telling you, this is going to be a really good team. They're working incredibly hard and there's a good buzz within this group. We just probably need to be a little bit more streetwise.

"I think they'll learn a lot from this tour and they've got the autumn to look forward to and then the Six Nations."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Australia captain James Slipper told Sky Sports News: "It was tough Test match.

"One of those gritty tough matches, the conditions probably played a part in that.

"We knew they had a good maul, we trained pretty hard on that but it didn't work for us tonight, it's something we'll have to work on."

On Filipo Daugunu's second try, Slipper said: "It's a try for a winger, not a fonrt row try!

"It was a really decisive moment in the Test match and we'll take it."

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Wales captain Dewi Lake has told Sky Sports: "It's disappointing. We put in a lot of hard work to get back in the game but we had given ourselves a mountain to climb after falling so far behind early on.

"We dug deep but it just feels like the same message as last week about inaccuracy and taking opportunities."

On his two tries: "I was just the one who finished them off, all the hard work was done by the other forwards. But the driving maul has been a weapon for us that we can build on.

"We are learning quickly and we were right in this game but we have to tidy up the little things."

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

It's a game (Reds) none of these players want to play in. It's a shot to nothing.

They'll be so down on confidence, but they've got to pick themselves up one more time.

To confirm... that's nine defeats in a row for Wales going all the way to the pool win over Georgia at the 2023 World Cup.

It's the worst run since 2003 under Steve Hansen.

Wales' next Test match is against Fiji in Cardiff in November, though they face Queensland Reds next Saturday in Brisbane.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales captain Dewi Lake speaking to Australian media: "Inaccuracy probably just cost us.

"We knew the kick game was coming with this weather, and a couple of scraps that they worked hard on.

"We never gave up, we've got that never say die attitude, but being a young team isn't a good enough excuse at Test level.

"That's something that we've got to change, but it's never a question of intent or hard work, the boys will do that, it's just finishing off our opportunities."

Derwyn Jones
Former Wales lock on BBC Radio Cymru

You're going to get mistakes with young players, and given the standard of the young players we've got, I think they'll learn ahead of the autumn games.

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

They've left everything out there and they've shown a lot of resilience, but ultimately it's that composure.

Wales had an opportunity to win that game.

Derwyn Jones
Former Wales lock on BBC Radio Cymru

The message from Warren Gatland after the game will be that he will feel very proud of the performance and how the young players grew.

He's been here over a year now and they have to build on this game and I feel he'll be frustrated with the mistakes they made in the game.

You have to give Wales credit. They were trailing 17-0 after 25 minutes but have scored four tries - two from Dewi Lake and the forwards and two great finishes by Liam Williams and Rio Dyer.

The attack was a real plus... but discipline was their Achilles heel and cost them.

Image source, Getty Images

It is... Australia hold out for a thrilling win and the series.

Wales were in the fight right to the end but that's nine defeats in a row.

They've just won a scrum penalty and that should be that.

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

They'll just want to slow this game down now, Australia, and see it out.

Sam Costelow showed real bravery then, he ran full pelt into three gold jerseys... but gets hammered by them. Ouch!

Derwyn Jones
Former Wales lock on BBC Radio Cymru

Wales have shown so much character and effort to get back into the game.

It's been a bit frustrating the points Australia have had at times.

The replacement fly-half has booted three points and surely that is now the game.

Eight points in three minutes... impossible.

Well Evan Lloyd has just made amends by snagging the wing Daugunu who looked like he was going to clinch a hat-trick.

But Wales are giving away penalties and inviting Australia to attack.

They need to hold their nerve.

Oh and another lineout goes astray for Wales.

Cory Hill failed to gather the first but that was a poor throw by Evan Lloyd.

Should Lake have stayed on?

The Wales bench are jumping up and down... they know this is a big chance.