Australia recovered from losing two key players inside the first 22 minutes to beat Wales 21-18 in Auckland Friday to secure third place at the Rugby World Cup . Two-time world champions Australia lost fullback Kurtley Beale to injury after eight minutes , but center Berrick Barnes crossed for a converted try for the Wallabies to open the scoring at Eden Park . The Australians then saw influential flyhalf Quade Cooper limp off with suspected cruciate ligament damage to his knee before James Hook got Wales on the score sheet with a penalty . Australia 's James O'Connor , with a penalty that struck the upright , and Leigh Halfpenny missed kicking chances for their respective sides to leave it 7-3 at halftime . Hook , once again struggling with the boot , should have slotted over a three-point attempt early in the second half but it was quickly forgotten as veteran wing Shane Williams , playing in the final World Cup match of his career , produced a moment of magic in the 49th minute . He controlled a loose ball before gathering to go over in the corner and put Warren Gatland 's men in front for the first time in the playoff . New Zealand to end 24 years of hurt ? But Hook missed the conversion and the Wallabies responded with two penalties from 21-year-old O'Connor to take a 13-8 lead after 65 minutes . Barnes , 25 , extended Australia 's advantage with a drop goal , before flanker Ben McCalman touched down for the decisive try with 76 minutes on the clock . Wales , who have enjoyed their most successful World Cup campaign since the tournament was last held in New Zealand 24 years ago , finished with a flourish , wing Halfpenny grabbing a try on the 80-minute mark . New Zealander Gatland said there were plenty of positives his team could take from their performance in the tournament , but lamented the poor kicking which ultimately cost Wales the bronze medal . `` We 've got to look at the disappointment of not finishing third or reaching the final , '' Gatland said . `` But there are a lot of positives to take out of this tournament . We 've brought a lot of young players through . `` We 've just got to keep looking to improve . We only lost 21-18 to one of the best sides in the world . So there are a lot of positives in that . We missed one or two easy ones and James O'Connor has kicked pretty well . That 's probably been the difference . '' It is the first time Australia have finished third at the four-yearly tournament , having been crowned champions in 1991 and 1999 , runners-up in 2003 and fourth in 1987 . The World Cup reaches a climax Sunday at the same venue , with hosts New Zealand hoping to lift the Webb Ellis trophy for the first time in 24 years when they take on France , who have never won the tournament .
Australia beat Wales 21-18 to finish third in the Rugby World Cup . A late try from Ben McCalman proves the difference between the two teams . Australia claiming the bronze medal for the first time in a World Cup . Comment: