Warren Gatland insists Wales have come of age as a rugby team as they shaped the World Cup draw to their own will with an epic victory over Australia.
The Wales coach says his players will have a deserved 10 days off before their next Pool D match in Japan against Fiji.
By then, Gatland will have had time to check on injuries suffered by the likes of Dan Biggar, Liam Williams and George North after an energy-sapping, balance-switching, but magnificent 29-25 victory.
The win was a personal triumph for Gatland and proof that he is at the top of his game as a coach as he enters his last month in charge of a side he appears to have brought to a new peak.
Wales built up a sizeable lead, but withstood a ferocious Australian comeback thanks to Gatland’s astute tactics and masterful use of his replacements.
Not only was he willing to trust his bench, but he went to them early in the second-half, giving Wales just enough thrust to keep them clear of the Wallabies by the end.
“This team is a squad that has grown up in terms of game management,” said Gatland.
“That’s improved significantly. It was good in the Six Nations and we had learned a lot from those experiences.”
“It was one of the toughest test matches they’ve played in a long times. We’ll use that long turnaround now the best way we possibly can to freshen up the guys. It’s nice to get a decent break.”
Wales may have seen a 15-point lead cut to just a single point at one stage as the momentum swung in Australia’s favour, but Gatland insisted he was relaxed about making those vital replacement calls.
“I think it’s just you’re looking at some of the players and their body language, when are they starting to hurt. Some players we want to change quite early. Particularly the front row.
“With other players, you spend a lot more time to make that decision because of their experience. You’re just trying to get a feel for when is the right time to bring fresh legs on.
“I was really pleased with that today. There’s no magic formula.”
“I said to the boys that I would like to see them celebrate tonight. They deserve that and it was a great win. We need to recognise Alun Wyn Jones’ achievement tonight as well.
“We’ve only won two games and we need to make sure we do a job in the other games.
“I want the guys to look after themselves tonight but they deserve to pat each other on the back.”
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said: “I’m pretty happy with the character we showed, particularly in the second half.
“At times it did feel like the Georgia game, where we had a great first half and then we were a bit tentative in the second, so we’ll have a look at that. But we’re pleased with the result.
“It’s always easy to end up defending a lead, which we probably did in parts of that second half, but credit to the guys in gold. They came at us with everything in the second half and really tested our resolve.”
The Six Nations champions have now taken charge of Pool D with a second successive win that could lead to a last-eight clash against France or Argentina.
Australia, though, might be hurtling towards a knockout tie with England, who are coached by former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones, despite staging a spectacular second-half fightback.
Wales looked home and dry when they led 26-8 through tries by centre Hadleigh Parkes and scrum-half Gareth Davies.
Fly-halves Dan Biggar and Rhys Patchell kicked 19 points between them – Patchell contributed 14 after replacing Biggar, who went off for a head injury assessment – but Australia got it back to one point at 26-25.
Wing Adam Ashley-Cooper, full-back Dane Haylett-Petty and captain Michael Hooper claimed touchdowns, with Bernard Foley kicking a penalty and Matt Toomua booting seven points.
But Wales held out, helped out by Patchell’s 72-minute strike, to beat Australia for only a second time in the last 15 Tests following a scintillating contest.
Alun Wyn Jones became Wales’ most-capped player as he led his country out, making his 130th appearance to break the record he previously shared with prop Gethin Jenkins.
Australia were without suspended wing Reece Hodge – replaced by Ashley-Cooper – while half-backs Foley and Will Genia were also called up by head coach Michael Cheika.
Wales made a dream start and were ahead after just 36 seconds when the Welsh pack secured quality possession inside Australia’s 22 and Biggar dropped a goal.
Australia were rocked by the ferocity of Wales’ start, and Biggar went close to doubling the lead but drifted a touchline penalty attempt wide.
Wales were outstanding with ball in hand, looking to involve wings George North and Josh Adams at regular opportunities.
Australia’s defence came under considerable pressure, and Wales increased their lead through a 13th-minute try.
Biggar was the architect, kicking to the wing, and centre Parkes climbed above Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete, before spinning and touching down.
Biggar’s successful touchline conversion made it 10-0, and Hooper was then warned by referee Romain Poite for a challenge on the Wales number 10.
Australia opened their account with a 21st-minute try by Ashley-Cooper after Foley’s kick found space, cutting their deficit by five points.
Centre Samu Kerevi began to cause problems for the Welsh defence with his powerful running, and Wales then lost Biggar for a head injury assessment, with Patchell replacing him.
Foley booted a penalty shortly afterwards, and Wales’ lead had been reduced to 10-8 after 30 minutes.
Wales needed to regroup, and a Patchell penalty seven minutes before half-time restored the Six Nations champions’ five-point advantage, then he kicked another three-pointer from almost 50 metres.
And it then got even better for Wales when scrum-half Davies intercepted a Wallabies pass on halfway and sprinted clear to score their second try. Patchell’s conversion put Wales 15 points in front, ending an opening 40 minutes they had dominated.
Biggar did not rejoin the action, but Patchell had acquitted himself impressively at the hub of a controlling Wales performance. And he underlined it following another spell of Wales pressure by landing a drop-goal that meant Wales had an 18-point lead.
But Australia then hit back following a flowing long-range move which ended with Haylett-Petty crossing for a try that Toomua converted. The touchdown gave Australia a new lease of life, sensing that one more try would put them well and truly back in the contest.
Wales knew it, too, but Wallabies pressure was mounting, and three close-range driven line-outs saw Australia continue to turn the screw.
And Wales could not hold out, with Hooper claiming a touchdown following relentless pressure, and Toomua’s conversion meant Australia trailed 26-22 with 18 minutes left.
Toomua and Patchell then exchanged kicks, but Wales held out and claimed arguably the finest victory of Gatland’s long reign.