Hardy try clinches late win for Wales in Brisbane

International tour: Queensland Reds v Wales

Queensland Reds (14) 35

Tries: Asiata 3, Grealy 2 Cons: O'Connor 5

Wales: (24) 36

Tries: Griffin, Grace, Dyer, Tshiunza, Tompkins, Hardy Cons: Costelow 3

Wales replacement scrum-half Kieran Hardy's 79th-minute effort sealed a much-needed triumph for Warren Gatland's broadside successful an 11-try thriller against Queensland Reds successful Brisbane.

Wales had to header pinch nan precocious withdrawal of skipper Cory Hill but managed to unfastened up a 31-14 lead.

Former rugby convention helping Regan Grace scored connected his Wales debut pinch further tries from Archie Griffin, Rio Dyer, Christ Tshiunza and Nick Tompkins.

The hosts responded pinch a hat-trick of tries from hooker Richie Asiata and 2 scores from helping Mac Grealy to springiness nan hosts a precocious lead.

But nan last-gasp involution of Hardy earned Wales their first triumph since they defeated Barbarians successful different uncapped lucifer successful November 2023.

Gatland's broadside person still mislaid 9 internationals successful a statement and will beryllium hoping to debar a record-equalling 10th erstwhile they are adjacent successful action against Fiji successful Cardiff successful November.

It has been a wretched twelvemonth which has seen Wales gaffe to a lowest ever position of 11th successful nan world rankings, decorativeness bottommost of nan Six Nations for nan first clip successful 21 years and suffer a Test bid 2-0 successful Australia.

But to decorativeness this agelong run pinch immoderate benignant of triumph will springiness this young Wales broadside a assistance going into adjacent season.

More to follow.

Queensland Reds: Jock Campbell (capt); Floyd Aubrey, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Mac Grealy; James O'Connor, Louis Werchon; Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Connor Vest, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, John Bryant, Joe Brial.

Replacements: George Blake, Matt Gibbon, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Connor Anderson, Will Cartwright, Mason Gordon, Lachie Anderson.

Wales: Cameron Winnett; Rio Dyer, Nick Tompkins, Eddie James, Regan Grace; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies (capt); Kemsley Mathias, Evan Lloyd, Archie Griffin, Matthew Screech, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Plumtree, Mackenzie Martin

Replacements: Efan Daniel, Corey Domachowski, Harri O'Connor, Dewi Lake, Tommy Reffell, Kieran Hardy, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady.

Sin-bin: E Lloyd 28