Hardy try clinches late win for Wales in Brisbane

International tour: Queensland Reds v Wales

Queensland Reds (14) 35

Tries: Asiata 3, Grealy 2 Cons: O'Connor 5

Wales: (24) 36

Tries: Griffin, Grace, Dyer, Tshiunza, Tompkins, Hardy Cons: Costelow 3

Wales replacement scrum-half Kieran Hardy's 79th-minute try sealed a much-needed win for Warren Gatland's side in an 11-try thriller against Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

Wales had to cope with the late withdrawal of captain Cory Hill but managed to open up a 31-14 lead.

Former rugby league wing Regan Grace scored on his Wales debut with further tries from Archie Griffin, Rio Dyer, Christ Tshiunza and Nick Tompkins.

The hosts responded with a hat-trick of tries from hooker Richie Asiata and two scores from wing Mac Grealy to give the hosts a late lead.

But the last-gasp intervention of Hardy earned Wales their first victory since they defeated Barbarians in another uncapped match in November 2023.

Gatland's side have still lost nine internationals in a row and will be hoping to avoid a record-equalling 10th when they are next in action against Fiji in Cardiff in November.

It has been a wretched year which has seen Wales slip to a lowest ever position of 11th in the world rankings, finish bottom of the Six Nations for the first time in 21 years and lose a Test series 2-0 in Australia.

But to finish this long campaign with any sort of victory will give this young Wales side a lift going into next season.

More to follow.

Queensland Reds: Jock Campbell (capt); Floyd Aubrey, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Mac Grealy; James O'Connor, Louis Werchon; Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, Connor Vest, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, John Bryant, Joe Brial.

Replacements: George Blake, Matt Gibbon, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Connor Anderson, Will Cartwright, Mason Gordon, Lachie Anderson.

Wales: Cameron Winnett; Rio Dyer, Nick Tompkins, Eddie James, Regan Grace; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies (capt); Kemsley Mathias, Evan Lloyd, Archie Griffin, Matthew Screech, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Plumtree, Mackenzie Martin

Replacements: Efan Daniel, Corey Domachowski, Harri O'Connor, Dewi Lake, Tommy Reffell, Kieran Hardy, Ben Thomas, Mason Grady.

Sin-bin: E Lloyd 28