The Wallabies are winners again.

After their demoralising Rugby World Cup exit – largely at the hands of Wales nine months ago – Australia redeemed itself with a resounding 25-16 win at home in Sydney.

The second coming of hot-head Eddie Jones is a distant memory. In his place, a cool and calm Joe Schmidt led the Wallabies to victory.

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“It’s a great moment for Wallaby fans but also for Joe Schmidt,” said Tim Horan on Stan Sport’s coverage. 

“After what happened at the Rugby World Cup – losing that match 40-6 against Wales in Lyon, we were all there, the embarrassment of the fans leaving 10 minutes into the second half, Wallaby fans walking out of the stadium in Leon – this will go a small way to engaging Wallaby fans in Australia.”

There were smiles galore inside the Sydney Football Stadium as a 35,000-plus crowd roared on the stroke of full-time for their first win at the venue in a decade.

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On the result, the ever-critical Schmidt said there is still room for improvement.

“I love the result. Lots to do around the performance,” said Schmidt.

“First 20 minutes I felt that we did some pretty good things. Then we kind of went off the boil and gave up three penalties in a row, including a yellow card. That really put us on the back foot and we really had to work hard from there.

“I don’t think they get too adventurous. We kind of knew what was coming but stopping what’s coming is another thing. Particularly with their lineout drive, that’s where they put the most pressure on. We had a plan to stop it, we didn’t quite manage to do so. That’ll be something we go back, have a close look at, and try to make sure we improve next week.”

A no-arms tackle by James Slipper gifted Wales an early penalty kick to lead 3-0 after just three minutes but the Wallabies levelled the ledger inside seven minutes when Wales gave away a penalty for not releasing.

The Wallabies fluffed a chance to take the lead on the stroke of 11 minutes when Noah Lolesio missed a fairly straight-forward penalty kick.

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Taniela Tupou tore up the Welsh scrum and gave Lolesio another shot at goal, which he duly put away to give Australia a 6-3 lead. 

Ironically, that came off the back of Lolesio dropped the ball moments earlier.

On the stroke of 20 minutes, Tupou scored the opening try of the match. At the same time, Wales were reduced to 14 men after copping a yellow card, sending Gareth Thomas to the sin bin. 

Despite losing a man, Wales responded. They looked like they would score through a driving maul but were gifted a penalty try instead after Fraser McReight caused it to collapse.

Wales were given seven points and reduced the gap to 13-10 after 25 minutes. 

That was the way the scoreline stayed until early into the second half. Five minutes into the second 40 a penalty goal levelled the scores at 13-all.

The Wallabies established their biggest lead of the match when Filipo Daugunu found a gap in the Welsh defence and sprinted away toward the try line.

Wales brought the barn-storming winger to the ground but he slid over the line to score the try. That went unconverted and the Wallabies led 18-13 after 54 minutes.

Just two minutes later, Wales responded to level the scores with a driving maul through replacement James Botham. However, the TMO scrubbed the try for an obstruction when Dewi Lake joined the maul in front of the ball.

The Wallabies found their way to the other end of the field and nearly scored through a diving Andrew Kellaway. 

Another penalty goal for Wales reduced the gap to two points with 15 minutes remaining.

Tom Wright left commentators stunned with a solo effort from outside half-way, ducking his way through Welsh defenders before a killer step sealed the try.

Tom Lynagh, on debut with his first kick of the night, sealed the conversion to extend Australia’s lead to 25-16.

Australia will play another Test against Wales in Melbourne next Saturday at AAMI Park.