Wales hold on for famous World Cup win over Australia

Wales resisted a second half resurgence from Australia to win an emphatic match in Tokyo 29-25 and announced themselves as major title contenders.

The Six Nations champions took charge of Pool D with a second successive win that could lead to a last eight clash against France or Argentina.

Speaking after the win Head Coach Warren Gatland said Wales "are in control of our own destiny."

Credit: PA

Wales made a dream start and were ahead after just 36 seconds.

The Welsh pack secured quality possession inside Australia's 22, and fly half Dan Biggar dropped a goal to open Wales' account.

Australia were rocked by the ferocity of Wales' start, and Biggar went close to doubling the lead but drifted a touchline penalty attempt wide.

George North testing the Australian defence. Credit: PA

Australia's defence came under considerable pressure early on, and Wales increased their lead through a 13th-minute try.

Biggar was the architect, kicking to the wing, and Centre Hadleigh Parkes climbed above Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete, before spinning and touching down.

Biggar's successful conversion made it 10-0.

Hadleigh Parkes scoring Wales' first try of the game, and his first of the Rugby World Cup. Credit: PA

Centre Samu Kerevi began to cause problems for the Welsh defence with his powerful running, and Wales then lost Biggar for a head injury assessment, with Rhys Patchell replacing him.

Foley booted a penalty shortly afterwards, and Wales' lead had been reduced to 10-8 after 30 minutes.

Credit: PA

Wales needed to regroup, and a Patchell penalty seven minutes before half-time restored the Six Nations champions' five-point advantage.

Kerevi was then warned by Poite following several television replays of a challenge on Patchell, but the official opted against issuing a card.

Wales got a penalty instead, and Patchell regained his composure from just inside Australia's half to land a superb kick and make it 16-8.

Gareth Davies looked caused Australia problems throughout the first half. Credit: PA

And it then got even better for Wales when scrum-half Gareth Davies intercepted a Wallabies pass on halfway and sprinted clear to score Wales' second try.

Patchell's conversion put Wales 15 points in front, ending an opening 40 minutes they had dominated.

Rhys Patchell replaced Dan Biggar in the first half. Credit: PA

Biggar did not rejoin the action, but Patchell had acquitted himself impressively at the hub of a controlling Wales performance.

And he underlined it following another spell of Wales pressure by landing another early drop-goal after half-time that meant Wales had an 18-point lead.

But Australia then hit back following a flowing long-range move that ended with full-back Dane Haylett-Petty crossing for a try that substitute Matt Toomua converted, making it 26-15.

Haylett-Petty's try gave Australia a new lease of life, sensing that one more try would put them well and truly back in the contest.

Wales knew it too but Wallabies pressure was mounting, and three close-range driven lineouts saw Australia continue to turn the screw.

Australia's Michael Hooper forcing his way over the Welsh try line. Credit: PA

And Wales could not hold out, with Hooper claiming a touchdown following relentless pressure, and Toomua's conversion meant Australia trailed 26-22 with 18 minutes left.

Toomua's penalty cut the gap to a single point, but Patchell responded in kind to nudge Wales 29-25 ahead.

Patchell's kick meant Wales had regained a tiny bit of breathing space in a pulsating contest, with Australia once again needing a try rather than a kick at goal.

Credit: PA

Australia finished strongly but Wales held out for a stunning victory as their defence stood firm through several phases of play and turned the ball over for Tomos Williams to kick out of play after the hooter.

Wales bow to the crowd after victory during the 2019 Rugby World Cup match at the Tokyo Stadium, Japan. Credit: PA

Captain Alun Wyn Jones celebrated the win by sharing a kiss with his surprised teammate George North.

Social media has been flooded by reactions to Wales' stunning win.