The Wallaroos have slipped up in wet conditions, falling to a 21-12 defeat to Wales in Brisbane.
A 30 minute lightning delay arrested early momentum for the Aussies, who struggled as the rain persisted throughout the match.
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It allows Wales to break through for their first win of 2025 and their second in their last three matches against Australia.
"I think we had too many drop balls and we didn't really play like we know we can," Wallaroos captain Emily Chancellor said.
"It's back to the drawing board for us because it's a little bit of internal reflection... I think we came out really well in those first 10 minutes after the lightning so you can't really use that as an excuse."
The hosts were on fire early as they set up a trio of try-scoring opportunities.
Tabua Tuinakauvadra thought she had the opener in the third minute, but it was brought back for a clear obstruction after Tia Hinds set up the break by running behind new captain Chancellor.
Ash Marsters dropped the ball over the line, but Annabelle Codey couldn’t be stopped for the opening try.
With the hosts on fire, the rain came down to douse their momentum, as lightning forced both teams from the field and led to a 30-minute delay.
On return, it was all Wales as the visitors thrived in the slippery conditions.
They pressured the Wallaroos’ breakdown and controlled the first half, with fullback Nel Metcalfe crossing for a first half double.
The Aussies were able to steady, and number eight Tuinakauvadra got on the board in the final minute of the first half to trail 14-12.
But Wales were quick to answer after the break, with fly-half Lleucu George putting a beautiful grubber for Hannah Dallavalle.
From here, the Wallaroos controlled the majority of the territory and possession with little success.
It came as they fell victim to the conditions, with Wales forcing mistake after mistake as handling and breakdown work let down the Aussies.
The hosts’ scrum was their primary weapon as they earned dominance early on that persisted throughout the game.
But Wales captain Alex Callender was immense for the visitors, winning multiple turnovers to keep the visitors in the contest.
It allowed them to survive wave after wave of Wallaroo attacks with their nine-point lead still intact.
Late flurries from the Wallaroos ended in turnovers as the Welsh celebrated breaking their 818-day drought on the road.
Wales 21 (Metcalfe 2, Dallavalle tries; Bevan 3 cons) def Wallaroos 12 (Codey, Tuinakauvadra tries; Miller cons)
