LEIGH HALFPENNY: Mixed day for the full-back who has had a wonderful 2013 for Wales and Lions. Missed a sitter for him and had to relinquish the kicking duties because of a leg injury. Fairly solid, if unspectacular. 6

ALEX CUTHBERT: Defensively found wanting by Israel Folau and clearly not fit. Was his trademark courageous and determined self but with the best will in the world, should not have been forced back to action so early. 5

OWEN WILLIAMS: It was a big ask for the young man to start in such a high profile game and so it proved, a case of too much too soon. Another poor selection decision by Warren Gatland. George North could well have played at No 13. 5

SCOTT WILLIAMS: Put in a fine try-saving tackle on Folau and is another gutsy player. He also secured a fine turnover by ripping the ball. It’s becoming his party trick. Has done well this autumn but Wales badly miss Roberts and Davies. 6

GEORGE NORTH: Took both his tries exceptionally well and was unlucky in being denied a hat trick by some poor refereeing by Wayne Barnes. Defensively though, he is often all at sea. 7

DAN BIGGAR: Sin binning aside, a good day for the Ospreys outside-half who has established himself as Wales’ first choice No 10, although James Hook should also be in the running. He should not have been replaced late on. 7

MIKE PHILLIPS: As with Fourie du Preez against South Africa in early November, the big man was overshadowed by another world class scrum half in Will Genia. His poor attempted tackle allowed Israel Folau to cross for his try with ease. 5

GETHIN JENKINS: Not the way he would have wanted to celebrate becoming Wales’ most capped forward on his 101st appearance. Excellent in the loose but forced off with injury at the interval. 7

RICHARD HIBBARD: His Herculean exploits around the field and exocet tackling shouldn’t been allowed to hide the fact Wales’ lineout was catastrophic, chaotic, calamitous, shambolic – choose your favourite adjective from that little quartet. 5

RHODRI JONES: One of the success stories for Wales this autumn, the farmer’s boy from the outskirts of Machynlleth going from fifth choice tighthead at the Scarlets to his country’s number one. Quite remarkable, as David Coleman would say. 6

ALUN WYN JONES: A more industrious and committed lock, you’d be hard pushed to find. But his ball carrying is a worrying aspect of his play. He can resemble an Italian tank in the deserts of North Africa circa 1941 at times. 6

IAN EVANS: The Toulon-bound second row had a big game and was prominent throughout. Thwarted an almost certain Australia try with a timely interception in the first half when Wales were under the cosh. 6

DAN LYDIATE: Great defensive player, one of the best. But urgently needs to develop other facets of his game because he is in danger of being typecast as a chop tackling, one-trick pony. 5

SAM WARBURTON: He often succumbs to his Wallabies nemesis David Pocock and did again with his outstanding understudy Michael Hooper, the little openside playing the Wales captain off the park in a disappointing performance by the Lions skipper. 5

MAN OF THE MATCH – TOBY FALETAU: Made an astounding 17 tackles – more than any other player on the pitch – and was generally outstanding. A good lineout steal early on disrupted the Aussies’ usual Swiss-like clockwork precision in this facet. 8