Man of the match (File)

Cardiff - Australia finished their grand slam tour, and 2009, on a winning note with a convincing 33-12 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Wallabies had seen dreams of a grand slam dashed by a 20-20 draw with Ireland and hopes of an unbeaten tour disappear with last week's shock 9-8 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield.

But here they were slick as they had been error-prone in Edinburgh, running in four tries - from Digby Ioane, James Horwill, David Pocock and Tatafu Polota-Nau - to Wales' none.

And they kept the home side scoreless after half-time as they atoned for a 21-18 loss in last year's corresponding fixture.

Meanwhile, man-of-the-match Matt Giteau, who had a wretched day with the boot against Scotland, kicked 13 points and orchestrated play superbly.

This was only Australia's third win in 11 Tests and just the result their under-pressure Kiwi coach Robbie Deans needed.

By contrast Deans's compatriot, Warren Gatland, the Wales coach, was left contemplating a November series where his team had failed to win either of their 'big' matches, against New Zealand and the Wallabies, albeit they defeated Samoa and Argentina.

Australia, with the stadium's retractable roof closed and so aiding running rugby, scored three first half tries to lead 23-12 at the break

And Wales needed three penalties from fly-half Stephen Jones to stay in touch in an opening 40 minutes where they lost both their wings, Shane Williams and Leigh Halfpenny, as well as hooker Matthew Rees to injury.

The match at Murrayfield ended with Giteau missing a conversion that would have won Australia the game; this one started with his kick-off failing to go the required 10 metres.

But from the ensuing scrum on half-way, Wales prop Paul James was penalised for collapsing and Giteau's ensuing kick gave the Wallabies the lead.

Three minutes later, Wales suffered the massive blow of losing try-scoring flyer Shane Williams to a leg injury.

Australia piled on the agony by going 8-0 up in as many minutes with a well-worked try.

Quade Cooper, standing at first receiver, floated a long pass to Giteau and the stand-off's expert grubber kick into the left corner sat up perfectly for Ioane, the centre scoring his third Test try.

Halfpenny, Wales' long-range goalkicker, got the hosts on the board with a 50 metre penalty.

But Wales were losing out in the breakdown with young Wallaby openside flanker Pocock, in for veteran George Smith on rotation, outstanding.

No sooner had Halfpenny scored then Australia had their second try.

Prop forward Benn Robinson made a break worthy of a back and found left wing Drew Mitchell outside him.

Mitchell made no mistake with the ensuing pass to Horwill, showing impressive pace for a lock, and he went in at the corner.

Stephen Jones's first penalty cut the Wallabies' lead but Australia responded with their third try inside the opening 24 minutes.

Scrumhalf Will Genia expertly fielded a high ball under pressure from Wales centre Jamie Roberts and then saw his kick ungainly hacked into touch by home fullback James Hook.

From the ensuing lineout, Australia retained possession and Pocock went in just to the side of the posts, although it needed the video referee to confirm the score.

Pocock had to go off at the break with what appeared to be a dislocated thumb but Australia did not lose much by bringing Smith into the fray.

Wales squandered six points after both Hook and Stephen Jones were off target with penalties early in the second half.

Those kicks were compounded when Giteau landed his third penalty, on the back of continued Australia dominance at the scrum, to leave the Wallabies 26-12 in front heading into the final quarter.

And the result was put beyond doubt when replacement hooker Polota-Nau, making the most of a Giteau break, crossed Wales's line.