Wales hang on for famous win over Wallabies

(CNN) -- Six Nations Champions Wales had to withstand a withering late assault by Australia to hold on for a 21-18 win at the Millenium Stadium -- their first victory over a Tri Nations side for three years.

Winger Shane Williams and full-back Lee Byrne scored high-class tries in the first half and backed up by the boot of 11-point Stephen Jones, Wales led 21-13 going into the last two minutes on Saturday.

But Digby Ioane barged over for a Wallabies try, Matt Giteau failing with the hasty conversion, to set up a nervous finale with the home side holding on for a deserved victory.

"I'm so proud," New Zealand-born Wales coach Warren Gatland told BBC Sport.

"Somebody had to fly the flag for the Northern Hemisphere. ... It didn't really matter how we got the result, we just really needed that win. It gives us a real boost as we look ahead to next year's Six Nations."

International player of the year Shane Williams gave the home side a stunning start on four minutes as he crossed after a great pass from the inspired Byrne for his 44th career try and fourth against the Wallabies.

The Australians hit back in the 14th minute as Mark Chisholm pounced on a loose ball and ran 60 meters to score the equalizing try.

Giteau kicked the easy conversion and put the Wallabies ahead with a 25th minute drop goal.

Jones responded with a penalty before Byrne crashed over for the team's second try, Williams returning the compliment as he played him in.

The conversion by Jones gave Wales a 15-10 haltime lead.

Jones missed penalties at the start of the second-half and with Giteau pulling back three points for the visitors, the atmosphere was tense.

But the home side resisted several strong attacks and Jones made amends for his earlier misses with a well-taken 67th minute drop-goal.

His 78th minute penalty left Wales eight points clear before winger Ioane set up a grandstand finish.