2011 end-of-year rugby union internationals
The 2011 end of year rugby tests, also known as the Autumn internationals in the northern hemisphere, only saw one match involving two top-tier nations – Australia's 24–18 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on 3 December. This was a rematch of the 2011 Rugby World Cup Bronze Final, in which the Wallabies defeated Wales 21–18.
It was also the final international match for Wales' all-time leading try scorer, Shane Williams. He had initially announced he would retire from international rugby after the World Cup, but later decided that he would prefer if possible to make his international farewell in Wales.[1] Wales coach Warren Gatland announced on 16 November that Williams would be in the starting line-up.[2]
Australia fielded a virtually full-strength team, while Wales were missing six players to club duty in England and France and four others to injury. The victory went to the Wallabies, but the final act went to Williams, who finished off his international career with a try on the last attack of the match in stoppage time.[3]
Matches
Week 1
Portugal | 9 – 16 | Uruguay |
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Pen: Murray (3/3) |
Try: Ormaechea c Con: Arocena (1/1) Pen: Arocena (2/2) Drop: Arocena (1/1) |
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Week 2
Spain | 16 – 13 | Uruguay |
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Try: Le Roux 35' c Con: Malie (1/1) 36' Pen: Malie (3/3) 3', 6', 33' |
Report (Spanish) | Try: Mieres 58' c Con: Ormaechea (1/1) 59' Pen: Ormaechea (2/5) 49', 68' |
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Touch judges:
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Week 3
Barbarians | 11 – 60 | Australia |
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Try: Tomkins 80' m Con: Matfield (0/1) Pen: Cipriani (2/2) 15', 43' |
Report | Try: Ioane (2) 25' c, 71' c Turner (2) 40' m, 64' c Horwill (2) 51' c, 60' c Horne 54' c Samo 76' c Con: O'Connor (7/8) 26', 52', 55', 61', 65', 72', 77' Pen: O'Connor (1/1) 3' Drop: O'Connor (1/1) 21' |
Touch judges:
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Week 4
Wales | 18 – 24 | Australia |
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Try: Priestland 66' m Sh. Williams 80' c Con: Biggar (1/1) 80' Pen: Priestland (2/2) 6', 33' |
Report | Try: Genia 51' c Turner 57' c Barnes 61' c Con: O'Connor (3/3) 52', 58', 62' Pen: O'Connor (1/2) 40' |
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Touch judges:
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The Heroes Rugby Challenge
See also
- End of year rugby union tests
- 2011 mid-year rugby union tests
- 2011 Emirates Cup of Nations
- 2015 Rugby World Cup
References
- ↑ "Williams confirms farewell plans". ESPN Scrum. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ↑ "Shane Williams will win his final Wales cap against Australia". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ↑ Pope, Bruce (3 December 2011). "Wales 18-24 Australia". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 December 2011.