Australia hold off Welsh threat

Australia weathered a Welsh storm to win World Cup Pool A with a 15-6 victory at Twickenham.

Wales, who included Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis off the bench, paid a high price for failing to make their extra numbers count when the Wallabies had former Chiefs skipper Dean Mumm and Will Genia sent to the sin bin for seven minutes in the second half.

Fly-half Bernard Foley kicked all Australia's points, with Dan Bigger twice on target for Wales.

Australia now face Scotland in the quarter-final on 18 October, with Wales against South Africa the day before.

It was Wales' 11th consecutive defeat against the Australians, a run going back to 2008.

Wales coach Warren Gatland's men had their chances but were repelled by some extraordinary defence, with No.8 Taulupe Faletau dropping the ball inches from the line and George North at centre held up over the line by Wallabies back-row Ben McCalman.