The Wallabies lost two hookers and survived a fearsome assault on their scrum to tough out a 25-16 victory over an inspired Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Starting rake Stephen Moore was ruled out before kick-off with a back niggle, his place taken by Saia Fainga'a.

But when Fainga'a limped from the field in the 55th minute with a leg injury, Australia were down to late call-up to the bench Huia Edmonds.

The Welsh were merciless on the Wallabies' scrum, earning seven penalties and storming back into the game with a try on the back of a pummelling from the tight five late in the first half.

But the Wallabies stayed composed enough to keep their recent roll going after a physical Wales had restricted them to a 7-6 halftime lead.

The injury-depleted world No.9 team had threatened to burst the Wallabies' bubble, which has now grown to three wins and a one-point loss from their last four games.

"We took the pressure early, which was important," Australia coach Robbie Deans said.

"We made a little bit of progress in our defence this week which we had to do.

"We're delighted to get a result here, obviously. To back-up (last weekend's win over NZ) was good."

Australia looked to have picked up from where they left off in Hong Kong when halfback Will Genia sent David Pocock over next to the right upright in just the seventh minute, new goalkicker James O'Connor converting to make it 7-3.

The Wallabies had to wait until the 47th minute to extend their halftime lead and it came with an element of luck.

A kick from man-of-the-match Kurtley Beale went wrong and was charged down in Australia's territory. It might have gone anywhere but Genia picked up the scraps and fed it to O'Connor, who won his first one-on-one battle with superstar Welshman Shane Williams and sent Beale over.

O'Connor, who booted four from six in total, added the extras and it was 14-6.

As it had all match, Australia's scrum continued to be attacked and Wales five-eighth Stephen Jones booted another penalty goal in the 53rd minute to keep the home side in touch at 14-9.

But when Ben Alexander crossed in the 60th minute, the Wallabies' class looked to have got them home at 22-9.

Then came a relentless passage of attacking scrummaging from Wales, who eventually converted a third straight scrum to a try for replacement Richie Rees and it was game on at 22-16 and the crowd of 53,127 in full voice.

A 75th minute penalty goal to O'Connor gave the Wallabies some breathing space and their aim of an unbeaten spring tour remains on track, although they face the tough England scrum next weekend.

"We were getting beaten on the hit on numerous occasions, that was probably the greatest problem," Deans said of the scrum problems.

"Obviously we'll revisit it."

The back-to-back wins were Australia's first since beating Ireland and South Africa in June-July.

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