Australia had to settle with a 29-29 draw despite outscoring Wales four tries to two in Saturday's rugby Test at Millennium Stadium.

The Wallabies rued not establishing a bigger halftime lead than 17-16 after dominating the first half hour.

In the end, only a brilliant solo try to fullback Chris Latham saved Australia from defeat.

The 2006 John Eales Medallist collected a kick on the half-volley 45 metres out from the Welsh line, flirted with the touchline in beating four players to cross in the 64th minute.

The freakish effort put the Wallabies ahead 29-26 but a penalty goal to replacement five-eighth James Hook six minutes later gave Wales the draw.

Australia made an encouraging start to the game and, with the rejigged backline looking sharp, looked well on top in the opening stages.

A penalty goal from Matt Giteau, who shone in his first Test at halfback, gave the Wallabies a 3-0 lead after four minutes but Wales replied through five-eighth Stephen Jones to level the scores six minutes later.

The Wallabies posted the first try in the 12th minute when five-eighth Mat Rogers put winger Cameron Shepherd over shortly after a rampaging run from Wycliff Palu.

Giteau's conversion put Australia 10-3 up.

The Wallabies continued to enjoy a clear territorial advantage but Wales stayed in touch through a long-range penalty goal to centre Gavin Henson.

Some great awareness from Giteau put Australia further ahead.

The fleet-footed half sprinted 20 metres across field to take a quick penalty tap and duly darted over in a diagonal five-metre run to the line.

His conversion in the 18th minute extended Australia's lead to 11 points but he missed with two subsequent penalty attempts and a late flurry from the Welsh had the home team just a point behind at 17-16 at halftime.

Winger Shane Williams completed a well-worked try in the 35th minute and replacement flyhalf James Hook - on for the injured Jones - landed the conversion plus a penalty just before the break.

Wales grabbed the lead for the first time in the 50th minute when Hook slotted another penalty and then skipped out to a 26-17 advantage through a converted try to flanker Martyn Williams after some sloppy play from Rogers and Larkham.

The two were unable to retrieve the ball after Rogers' errant pass was toed through by Welsh centre Tom Shanklin and Evans swooped to score in a handy possession after replacement back-rower Stephen Hoiles also failed in an effort to clean up the mess for the Wallabies.

Australia replied almost immediately when Shepherd grabbed his second try of the game after a clean break from Giteau and surge from Lote Tuqiri.

Giteau's conversion put Australia to within two points before Latham's intervention nudged the Wallabies ahead.

But Hook had the final say to deny the Wallabies their first away win under coach John Connolly.

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