Australia scored a try after the final siren to beat a gallant Wales 29-23 in the first test at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.
Replacement forward Stephen Hoiles scored the winning try after a depleted Wales team had threatened to pull off a major upset with 18 of their best players absent.
The tourists led 17-0 inside the first 20 minutes after captain Gareth Thomas and Jamie Robinson scored tries against the run of play.
Australia snatched the lead 20 minutes from the end after Wycliff Palu, Nathan Sharpe and the impressive Matt Giteau all scored tries.
Wales regained the advantage when man-of-the match James Hook landed a drop goal eight minutes from the end before Hoiles crashed over out wide to win the game for Australia.
