France vs Australia LIVE: Result and reaction after Wallabies thrashed in Paris
After England’s shock defeat to Fiji it’s the final match for France and Australia ahead of the Rugby World Cup
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Your support makes all the difference.France concluded their preparations for their home Rugby World Cup in fine fashion with a convincing 41-17 win over Australia.
At a buoyant Stade de France, the hosts showed off their attacking range to accelerate away in the second half.
The Wallabies impressed in the first half with their own varied play with ball in hand, but failed to make a series of opportunities inside the French 22 count and fell to a fifth successive defeat since Eddie Jones was installed as head coach.
And with Antoine Dupont, Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos expertly pulling the strings, France’s backs repeatedly cut a fatiguing visiting side to ribbons to sign off in style ahead of the tournament.
Fabien Galthie’s side open the World Cup with a mouthwatering clash with New Zealand in Paris on Friday 8 September.
Australia begin their tournament back at the Stade de France a day later, with the Wallabies taking on Georgia.
Follow live updates from France vs Australia below:
France 16-5 Australia, 39 minutes
Held up! Outstanding last-ditch defence from France!
A clever kick forces Gabin Villiere to make a hasty retreat, and as he tries to release and get back to his feet after Andrew Kellaway thumps into him, Jordan Petaia is there to collect. Villiere does very well to prevent Petaia scoring himself but as Fraser McReight arrives to pick and go, a score feels a certainty.
But the wing and Julien Marchand have other ideas, holding McReight up and wheedling their way underneath him, ensuring that their chests are between ball and floor as the openside drives over the line.
Not that it would have counted - Kellaway’s tackle on a dipping Villiere was high. Just a penalty.
France 16-5 Australia, 38 minutes
Suliasi Vunivalu has impressed so far, covering the backfield shrewdly to prevent Damian Penaud collecting a chip and then almost escaping the French wing’s clutches.
PENALTY! FRANCE 16-5 Australia (Thomas Ramos penalty, 37 minutes)
Thomas Ramos shows Carter Gordon how it’s done. Crisp and clean from 40 metres on the angle from the left.
France 13-5 Australia, 35 minutes
Tate McDermott changes direction to block Matthieu Jalibert with the French fly half haring off in pursuit of his own up-and-under. On comes the tee.
Missed penalty! France 13-5 Australia, 34 minutes
Three misses from three from Carter Gordon - this is probably his simplest so far, not too much right of centre and distance not an issue, but Gordon’s effort starts right and stays right.
France 13-5 Australia, 33 minutes
And the Wallabies giants go to work, Taniela Tupou and Will Skelton putting their considerable combined weight into Jean-Baptiste Gros to win a scrum penalty.
France 13-5 Australia, 32 minutes
Andrew Kellaway shows his counter-attacking skill, skipping by two French defenders with Damian Penaud over-pursuing to open up an inside lane. Richie Arnold tries to tip on for Rob Valetini at the line but a tackling French hand knocks the pass slightly off course, and Valetini has to stall. Australia soon fumble themselves, but it’ll be their scrum to feed.
France 13-5 Australia, 30 minutes
Better defence from Australia, halting France’s runners and picking the right time to attack a ruck, forcing Charles Ollivon to seal off.
But that’s a little bit loose - Dave Porecki hits his jumper and sweeps to the back of the maul, but never gets the ball in his mitts, with an inaccurate transfer from forward to forward resulting in a spill. Knock on, France’s scrum.
France 13-5 Australia, 29 minutes
Straight from the restart, Australia are penalised again: Mark Nawaqanitawas runs beneath a hoisted Gregory Alldritt, contacting the number eight in the air.
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