Wales slipped to another defeat against Tri Nations opposition as Australia's try-scoring class saw them home at a subdued Millennium Stadium.

More than 20,000 Wales fans stayed away and they ultimately missed little, with Wales suffering a tenth defeat from 11 starts at the hands of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa since coach Warren Gatland took charge almost three years ago. The Wallabies ran in three tries – David Pocock, outstanding full-back Kurtley Beale and prop Ben Alexander touching down – while James O'Connor added two penalties and two conversions.

Wales fleetingly threatened, notably when substitute scrum-half Richie Rees scored late on, but otherwise they had to rely on three Stephen Jones penalties and a Dan Biggar conversion for their points. And they ultimately still look off the pace when it comes down to claiming victory against opponents that really matter. Gatland recently signed a new four-year contract, but the 53,127 fans who witnessed the latest demise against major southern hemisphere opponents were left unfulfilled.

Wales must now regroup for an appointment with world champions South Africa next Saturday and any feelgood factor under Gatland is now long gone. Results count far more than performance in professional sport, and whatever Gatland and his coaching staff do in attempting to cover up this latest loss, there is no hiding place, especially with a World Cup just 10 months away.

Jones kicked Wales ahead inside 90 seconds, yet initial promise flattered to deceive as Australia scored from their first significant attack. Sustained pressure resulted in Pocock crashing over from close range, with O'Connor's conversion giving the Wallabies an early advantage that they held comfortably, despite a second Jones penalty eight minutes before the break.

Australia looked to step up a gear after the break, and they conjured a second try inside eight minutes. Out-half Quade Cooper's kick bounced fortuitously off Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones' shin into Beale's hands, and he took full advantage, linking with O'Connor before crossing for a superb try that O'Connor improved.

Wales were stung and although Jones then completed his penalty hat-trick, Australia remained in a different league when it came to attack. And their third try arrived just inside the hour mark, again the product of crisp passing and support play, which ended in Alexander touching down.

Rees came on and dived over for a 71st-minute try, converted by his fellow substitute Biggar but a late O'Connor penalty killed off any hope of a Wales revival.

Wales J Hook; W Harries, T Shanklin, A Bishop, S Williams; S Jones, M Phillips; G Jenkins, M Rees, A Jones, B Davies, AW Jones, D Lydiate, S Warburton, J Thomas Subs D Biggar for Jones, R Rees for Phillips, M Williams for Warburton, 63 mins; P James for Jenkins, 71 mins; D Jones for AW Jones, 74 mins; H Bennett for Rees, 75 mins; C Czekaj for Shanklin, 76 mins Scorers Rees try; S Jones 3 pens; Biggar con Sin bin Shanklin, 63-73 mins

Australia K Beale; J O'Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, M Giteau, D Mitchell; Q Cooper, W Genia; B Robinson, S Faingaa, B Alexander, M Chisholm, N Sharpe, R Elsom, D Pocock, B McCalman Subs H Edmonds for Faingaa, 54 mins; Slipper for Alexander 62 mins; B Barnes for Giteau, 76 mins; L Burgess for Genia, 74 mins; D Mumm for Chisholm, 75 mins Scorers Pocock, Beale, Alexander try each; O'Connor 2 pens, 2 cons

Referee W Barnes (Eng)