So, it can be done. Exciting matches full of pace, invention and movement can be produced under the arcane regulations that pass as modern-day laws.

Mindset is everything.

Wales and Australia wanted to play rugby here, wanted to use the ball wisely and creatively rather than indulge in mind-numbing aerial ping-pong. There was some of that, but there was so much more.

Despondent Wales fans might demur, but it was wonderful. In this season's terms, it was a thriller. Faith in the old game was restored last night.

Australia's reputation was also salvaged. Reports of their rugby-playing death were clearly exaggerated. Losing to Scotland was clearly a low, but three first-half tries here exorcised those demons. They were simply stunning in that period. They wove patterns and cut angles of the sort we have so rarely seen this season. The speed of thought and foot was breathtaking, with scrum-half Will Genia more often than not the instigator with his spark and energy. He gave Dwayne Peel a torrid afternoon.

Australia's first try, after just eight minutes, set the tone. It came courtesy of Matt Giteau's wonderfully weighted chip for Digby Ioane to collect unhindered in the left corner.

Some of the passing in the next try was not bad. Interplay between two props in midfield is rare, but Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson made it look easy and lock James Horwill was in at the corner.

The third try came from flanker David Pocock, a magnificent prospect and another sad loss to that once great country that was Zimbabwe.

Unfortunately he did not last beyond half-time because of injury. But his outstretched right arm reached the line to the left of the posts, and though Wales managed four penalties (three from Stephen Jones and one from long range from Leigh Halfpenny) it was still 23-12 to the visitors at the break. In truth, it would not have been a dreadful injustice had it been a lot more. Australia were that good. Wales simply did not have enough ball, but they were also not helped by injuries. They have already been without several key Lions this autumn, and they lost three more in the first half yesterday. Shane Williams, crucially, was the first to go, pulling up with a leg strain in under five minutes. It was no way for the IRB's player of the year to conclude his reign.

Next to leave was his wing partner, Halfpenny, who slipped awkwardly in defence during the Horwill try. And then hooker Matthew Rees was carried off.

It was all rather glum for the home side, who fancied a repeat of last year's victory here. They just have not been themselves in this campaign. Nowhere has this been better illustrated than in the performances of Jamie Roberts. He has not so much flirted with anonymity this autumn as damn nearly tied the knot with it. Is it surprising? Probably not. After the mountain peaks he scaled during the summer with the Lions, all other challenges must appear mere foothills.

There was a lull in the intensity just after half-time. There was a little too much of that dreaded kicking, ended by a brilliant chip and collect from replacement Tom James. Wales were suddenly resurgent. Jamie Roberts was clear. He should have pinned his ears back and gone, but instead looked for James. The move was stymied.

The silky Giteau kicked another penalty. And then he produced a superb break to feed replacement Tatafu Polota-Nau on the inside for Australia's fourth try. He converted to make it 33-12. Any thoughts of a tight finish were banished.

Scorers -- Wales: Halfpenny, S Jones 3 pens, Halfpenny pen. Australia: Ioane, Horwill, Pocock, Polota-Nau try each; Giteau 3 pens, 2 cons.

Wales: J Hook, L Halfpenny (A Bishop 28), J Roberts, J Davies, S Williams (P James 5), S Jones, D Peel (M Roberts 10-15) (M Roberts 72), A Powell (c) (D Lydiate 60-65), M Williams, D Lydiate (S Warburton 48), L Charteris (J Thomas 49), A-Wyn Jones, P James (D James 48), M Rees (H Bennett 30), G Jenkins.

Australia: A Ashley-Cooper, P Hynes (O'Connor 64), D Ioane, Q Cooper, D Mitchell (K Beale 70), M Giteau, W Genia (L Burgess 79), W Palu (M Chisholm 70), D Pocock (G Smith 40), R Elsom (c), D Mumm, J Horwill, B Alexander (M Dunning 73), S Moore (T Polota Nau 55), B Robinson.

Referee: W Barnes (Eng).

- Steve James at Millennium Stadium

Sunday Independent