Henry praises team in defeat

Henry makes a point at Sunday's press conference

Wales coach Graham Henry gave his team top marks for character after their 21-13 defeat against world champions Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

It was the Wallabies' eighth successive win against Wales since the 1987 World Cup, but they failed to score a try and relied exclusively on the boot of full-back Matt Burke, who kicked seven penalties.

Wales did manage a touchdown, substitute flanker Gavin Thomas powering over during second-half injury-time, yet they still have not toppled Australia on home soil for 20 years.

A dejected Scott Quinnell leads his players off

Following emphatic home losses against Ireland and Argentina, Wales at least produced a performance which contained passion and vigour.

Unfortunately they wasted some outstanding field positions during the first half and repeatedly incurred the wrath of English referee Steve Lander, who awarded numerous penalties against them.

"I would give the players 10 out of 10 for character, and we defended well, but we didn't get enough of a platform at the set-pieces," Henry said.

"I don't think that we got the bounce of the ball today, but that is the way it is. Australia, in my opinion, are still the best team in the world and I feel they are just suffering the effects of a long season."

The Millennium Stadium roof was closed for today's Test. The decision was taken some six hours before kick-off, although Henry admitted that he would have preferred it to remain open.

It felt as though we had the backing of the whole nation

Scott Quinnell

"We would have preferred to play in normal conditions with the roof open, but it was still a good contest out there, and the best team won," he added.

Wales skipper Scott Quinnell said: "We stepped up a gear today, but Australia played very professionally and if you make mistakes at this level then you are going to be punished.

"We've put some good rugby together at the end, and I couldn't have asked for any more.

"The fans really supported us today. It felt as though we had the backing of the whole nation."

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones dismissed suggestions that it had been a poor Australian performance.

Wales' Robin McBryde is at the centre of this disagreement

"I am pretty happy with our performance. It is hard when there are a lot of infringements, but we took a step forward today," Jones said.

"Our execution wasn't good but we created opportunities and I thought that was the positive part."

Jones did criticise the WRU for not closing the Millennium Stadium roof quickly enough.

"I say that it should have been closed 24 hours ago," said Jones.

"That's why you have stadiums with roofs, so you can play in the best conditions. We were told it was closed at nine o'clock this morning."

A WRU spokesman had confirmed before the match that it would be played indoors.

"Having invested so much money in the facility and with people having paid so much for their tickets, it was the only course of action, really," he said.

Wales coach Graham Henry said he had not been consulted about the decision.

"It's beyond my control. I wish I had a remote control. We would have preferred to play in normal conditions with the roof open," he said.