Wales and Australia played out the first draw in their history in a six-try thriller in Cardiff.

The Wallabies seemed set to avenge last year's loss when Cameron Shepherd and Matt Giteau claimed early tries.

But Wales hit back when Shane Williams and Martyn Williams went over, only for scores from Shepherd, again, and Chris Latham to bring the Wallabies back.

If the final scoreline was unsatisfactory for both sides, the match itself provided great entertainment for a capacity Millennium Stadium crowd.

Australia started fiercely and only some equally committed Wales defence kept the hosts' try-line intact.

Wales 29 (16)
Tries: S Williams, M Williams.
Cons: J Hook 2.
Pens: S Jones, G Henson, J Hook 3.

Australia 29 (17)
Tries: C Shepherd 2, M Giteau, C Latham.
Cons: M Giteau 3.
Pens: M Giteau.

Wales: Morgan; G Thomas, Shanklin, Henson, S Williams; S Jones (capt), Peel; Jenkins, Rees, A Jones; Evans, Gough; J Thomas, M Williams, R Jones.
Replacements: R Thomas, D Jones, G Thomas, Wyn Jones, Phillips, Hook, M Jones.

Australia: Latham; Rathbone, Tuqiri, Larkham, Shepherd; Rogers, Giteau; Baxter, McIsaac, Blake; Sharpe, Vickerman; Elsom, Waugh (capt), Palu.
Replacements: Cannon, Robinson, Chisholm, Hoiles, Valentine, Gerrard, Ashley-Cooper.

Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand).

Att: 74,158

BBC