Australia beat up Wales en route to
the Lions Test Series

Australia recorded a 76-4 obliteration of Wales here today at Brewery Field in Brigend and look back on track for the Test Series with the British Lions beginning next week, after a shaky start to their tour.

Wales' previous worst defeat was in 1978 when England thrashed them 60-13.

Australia began like a house on fire, racking up a 30-nil lead by the 28th minute with tries to Girdler, Bailey, Simpson , Kimmorley and Lockyer. The only gleaning light for the Welsh came in the 35th minute with a try to centre Kris Tassell after some crafty work by the hooker Morley. And from there the Aussies went into half time with a 36-4 lead following another try, this time to hooker Buderus.

The second half was worse for the Welsh, with Australia racking up a further 40 points and shutting them out completely, despite some really good play by the Dragons early in the second half.

But the Aussies were not to be stopped, savaging Wales at every opportunity and looking like the ruthless team of old. With some poor early tour form, Australia really look to have picked up their act, even if they were playing Wales, and an under-strength Wales at that.

Fitzgibbon must have set some sort of record, with 11/11 today and 5/5 last week against England A. Kimmorley showed great skill all day long and looks to have formed a solid partnership with Gower.

The victory should give some comfort to coach Chris Anderson who appeared to be under pressure recently following remarks from Willie Mason alluding to the trip resembling a Contiki Tour thus far.

The win may have come at a cost however, with Ryan Girdler limping off with an ankle injury, placing him a doubt for the first game against the Lions on Saturday, 8 November.

Australia skipper and fullback Darren Lockyer [pictured] also broke his nose but is expected to play against Great Britain at Wigan this Saturday.

Leagueunlimited.com Player of the Match points:

3 ? C Fitzgibbon 2 ? B Kimmorley 1 ? D Buderus

GMT (UK time): Sunday 02 November 2003, 2:00 PM AEDT (Sydney time): Monday 03 November 2003, 1:00 AM Brewery Field, Bridgend UK Scorers: WELSH DRAGONS Tries: Tassell Goals: Lennon 0/1 AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS Tries: Kimmorley 2, Buderus 2, Minichello 2, Girdler, Bailey, Simpson, Lockyer, Heggarty, Wing, Gower Goals: Fitzgibbon 11/11, Gower 1/1, Kimmorley 0/1

By the clock:

1 min: The Aussies kick-off to get the match underway.

4 min: TRY - Australia. Girdler scores next to the stcks after an incisive run by Kimmorley and some good lead-up work from Lockyer. Aus 4 Wales 0.

5 min: Fitzgibbon adds the extra. Aus 6 Wales 0. Lockyer off the field with a busted snoz.

7 min: TRY - Australia. Phil Bailey barges over for the visitors. Aus 10 Wales 0.

8 min: Fitzgibbon makes no mistake with the conversion to push the lead out to 12-0 in favour of the Aussies.

12 min: TRY ? Australia. Simpson scores for the Green and Gold. Aus 16 Wales 0.

13 min: Fitzgibbon lands another easy one. Aus 18 Wales 0.

17 min: TRY ? Australia. Kimmorley scores after Gower makes a break down the sideline and kicks infield to find the mecurial halfback in support. Aus 22 Wales 0.

17 min: Fiztgibbon keeps his perfect record intact and takes the Aussies to a 24-nil lead.

27 min: TRY ? Australia. Lockyer in under the posts after a great break by Luke Ricketson. Aus 28 Wales 0.

28 min: Fitzgibbon keeps on keeping on and extends the lead to 30-0 in favour of the Aussies.

35 min: TRY - Wales. At last the home side get on the board and the 300 strong crowd break out into rapturous applause. The hooker Morley goes from dummy half, makes a break and links up with his outside centre in Tassell who goes over in the corner despite attention from Lockyer. Australia 30 Wales 4.

36 min: Lennon narrowly misses the hardest kick of the day and the scoreline remain 30-4 in favour of the Aussies.

39 min: TRY - Australia. Buderus scores a soft try up the middle from dummy half ten metres out.

40 min: Fitzgibbon adds the extras again. Aus 36 Wales 4.

HALF TIME

Well, the Aussies are really giving to them out there and have certainly turned up to play. The only thing Wales can do now is try to bring an element of respectability to the contest be getting a few more meat pies on the board.

41 min: The Welsh resume play with a deepish restart.

46 min: TRY - Australia. Kimmorley dummies and jinks around half way and goes the distance, the Welsh unable to foot it with him. Aus 40 Wales 4.

46 min: Fitzgibbon lands another, must be getting close to a consecutive goal record. Aus 42 Wales 4.

57 min: TRY - Australia. Heggarty gets on the board for the 'Roos and the score has now blown out to 46-4 in favour of the visitors.

58 min: Fitzgibbon off and Kimmorley misses one for a change. Scoreline remains 46-4 to Australia.

61 min: TRY - Australia. Wings bags one and the score is now 50-4 Australia over Wales.

62 min: Gower makes no mistake. Aus 52 Wales 4.

72 min: TRY - Australia. Minichello adds his name to the score sheet after finishing off a chip and chase. Aus 56 Wales 4.

73 min: Fitzgibbon back on and lands the conversion. Aus 58 Wales 4.

74 min: TRY - Australia. Gower this time. Aus 62 Wales 4.

75 min: Guess who...Fitzgibbon puts another one through the posts. Aus 64 Wales 4.

78 min: TRY - Australia. Buderus backs up on the inside to score another one. Aus 68 Wales 4

78 min: Fitzgibbon converts. Aus 70 Wales 4.

80 min: TRY - Australia. Minichello scores from a freakish kick by Bailey, robbing Villasanti a bit there. Aus 74 Wales 4.

80 min: Fitzgibbon lands his 11th for the day, all straight over the black dot. Aus 76 Wales 4.

FULL TIME

Complete demolition job by the Aussies and they look on track to take the Lions on next week.