AUSTRALIA beat Wales 33-28 at the Millennium Stadium this afternoon, you know the rest.

When Warren Gatland’s men powered over for a penalty try in the final quarter they led 28-27 and were scenting a rare win against a southern hemisphere big gun.

Alas, the Wallabies rallied and stole the spoils thanks to the unerring right boot of fly-half Bernard Foley, who joined Mike Harris and Kurtley Beale in breaking Welsh hearts.

It’s now 21 defeats against the big three while the Aussies’ winning streak is now in double figures, with the last five being by under a score.

Wales were left to regret a first half defensive horror show and could have few complaints; Australia were worthy winners with captain Michael Hooper just as inspiration as opposite number Sam Warburton was for Wales.

The hosts got off to the dream start with a third-minute score that leaves one to assume Guinness Pro12 rugby isn’t very popular Down Under.

Leigh Halfpenny put skipper Sam Warburton scorching into Australia territory and Rhys Webb did his usual Ospreys trick to snipe over from 22 metres out.

Newport Gwent Dragons switched off to get done by the 25-year-old at Rodney Parade in September, the weekend after he had done the same to Treviso, but you’d expect a Test team to be a bit sharper.

Nonetheless, Webb took advantage of the Wallabies’ sloppiness and Halfpenny added the extras.

But it was level-pegging after 15 minutes when the tourists exploited some poor defence by fly-half Dan Biggar and centre George North with captain Michael Hooper barging through in the 22 before giving full-back Israel Folau a run-in.

And the big man then put the Wallabies in front after 20 minutes – just when it looked like Wales were going to get their noses back in front.

The hosts were playing with a penalty advantage when Jamie Roberts made a superb break into enemy territory and then, disastrously, Webb’s pass was intercepted by Folau.

Foley converted but the lead didn’t last long thanks to another score to make the Wallabies’ defensive coach Nathan Grey curse.

A staggeringly simple overlap down the right was spotted by Dan Biggar to put George North clear and he found wing Alex Cuthbert on his shoulder with his try converted by former Cardiff Blues teammate Halfpenny.

But the shoddy defending with Alun Wyn Jones and Cuthbert colliding to gift Tevita Kuridrani an frustratingly easy score to make it 21-14 after half an hour.

However, Wales struck with the final play of the half when they were rewarded for bravely going for a leveller rather than settling for three points.

They went for the corner and then, after their lineout was stopped short, Warburton took a quick tap under the posts and Alun Wyn Jones forced his way over, Biggar making it 21-21 at the break after taking over the kicking duties from the injured Halfpenny.

Australia had no qualms about going for the sticks just two minutes after the restart when Wales infringed at the breakdown following another alarmingly easy break through midfield by Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Foley made it 24-21 and there was a bit of a lull as both teams tightened things up after the Barbarians fare of the first half.

The Aussie number 10 gave his side a six-point buffer after 55 minutes, just reward for a Wallabies side that looked slicker than their hosts.

However, it took some tenacious defending by Michael Cheika’s side to deny George North on the hour with the giant wing (Halfpenny’s mild concussion meant he had moved from midfield) held up over the line.

That was the precursor to a series of tense scrums on the Australia line with the crowd baying for a penalty try – and they got it with replacement fly-half Rhys Priestland earning a 28-27 lead.

The Wallabies showed nerves of steel to nudge in front 30-28 thanks to a smart Foley drop goal at the end of a patient 74th minute attack.

He added another penalty in the 79th minute and the win was earned when North’s searing break into Australia territory ended with a knock.

Same old, same old.

Wales: L Halfpenny (C Allen 30), A Cuthbert, G North, J Roberts, L Williams, D Biggar (R Priestland 47), R Webb (M Phillips 54), P James (G Jenkins 55), R Hibbard (S Baldwin 55), S Lee ( R Jones 68), J Ball (B Davies 68), A W Jones, D Lydiate (J Tipuric 75), S Warburton (captain), T Faletau.

Scorers: tries – R Webb, A Cuthbert, A W Jones, penalty; conversions – L Halfpenny (2), D Biggar, R Priestland

Australia: I Folau, A Ashley-Cooper, T Kuridrani, C Leali'ifano (R Horne 75), J Tomane, B Foley, N Phipps (W Genia 68), J Slipper (T Faulkner 73), S Fainga'a (J Hanson 60), S Kepu (B Alexander 66), S Carter (W Skelton 50), R Simmons (J Horwill 67), S McMahon (M Hodgson 70), M Hooper (captain), B McCalman.

Scorers: tries – I Folau (2), T Kuridrani; conversions – B Foley (3); penalties – B Foley (3); drop goals – B Foley

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Attendance: 55,004

Argus star man: Sam Warburton