France vs Australia LIVE rugby: Result and final score as late Damian Penaud try snatches victory
The Wallabies led late after impressive tries from Lalakai Foketi and Jock Campbell, but Damian Penaud’s brilliance seized the win for the French at the death
Damian Penaud scored a late try to give France a hard-fought record 11th consecutive victory as they beat Australia 30-29 at the Stade de France in their autumn international on Saturday.
The Wallabies’ Lalakai Foketi scored a sensational try and Jock Campbell added another with Bernard Foley kicking the rest of the points for the visitors, who did a great job at keeping France‘s mercurial scrumhalf Antoine Dupont in check.
Fabien Galthie’s side however ground through the game and winger Penaud scored the winner to add to Julien Marchand’s try, while Thomas Ramos’s metronomic boot secured their other points.
France, who take on South Africa in Marseille next Saturday, improved on their record of consecutive victories that dated back to the 1930s.
Having not played together since the last Six Nations tournament as the squad who toured Japan in July was largely reshuffled, France lacked their usual bite but somehow pulled off a victory after a rough battle.
Australia, who had recalled experienced flyhalf Foley in August, defended stoutly and attacked when it mattered, only losing their way in the final five minutes.
Foley put the visitors ahead with an early penalty as Australia started strongly, only for Ramos to cancel out the advantage with a 30-metre penalty and then give Les Bleus the lead with a 48-metre kick.
After Foley’s second penalty, France touched down through Charles Ollivon, only for the try to be ruled out for a double movement. Minutes later, Australia effectively scored the first try at the end of a blistering counter attack, Foketi diving over after collecting Tom Wright’s pass inside the French 22.
France had a spell of domination and were rewarded with two Ramos penalties but for the first time in four years Les Bleus faced the prospect of being behind at halftime at the Stade de France.
However, Marchand scored a pivotal try in stoppage time from a strong ruck and Ramos added the extra points to give France a six-point lead at the interval with the score at 19-13.
Foley and Ramos traded penalties early in the second half, but Australia struck the first blow when Campbell went over after a fine collective move before Foley converted to give the Wallabies a one-point advantage and fresh momentum.
Foley kicked for three points again before Ramos also did so and, with five minutes left, Hodge added another penalty to leave France with a try to score for a win that looked elusive. But Penaud beat two tackles to touch down with four minutes left and gave his team another confidence boost a year before the World Cup on home soil.
H/T: Wales 13-22 New Zealand
How do Wales go about halting the All Blacks, then? The Welsh stood up so strongly to South Africa’s heavy runners in the first two matches in the summer, but have failed to combat Ardie Savea and co. this afternoon. Slowing down the speed of Aaron Smith’s service will be key - New Zealand are resourcing rucks well, though Justin Tipuric might just mention to Wayne Barnes to make certain of the legality of their clearouts.
H/T: Wales 13-22 New Zealand
It looked at times in that first half like New Zealand were on the verge of fully opening Wales up, but the home side have just about hung in there, and nine points is not an insurmountable deficit. The Welsh defence has struggled to slow the All Blacks’ ball and heavy runners, but Rio Dyer’s well-constructed try on debut keeps Wayne Pivac’s side in touch.
PENALTY! WALES 13-22 New Zealand (Gareth Anscombe penalty, 40 minutes)
Just left of centre, on the 22, and no mistake from Gareth Anscombe as he cuts the lead to nine points before turning to the tunnel.
Wales 10-22 New Zealand, 40 minutes
Now it is New Zealand with a lineout error - Codie Taylor’s throw is too deep, and Wales will have a chance at three more points before half-time after another breakdown infringement.
Wales 10-22 New Zealand, 38 minutes
Again a lazy New Zealand tackler spoils the impeccable limpeting of Ardie Savea, the number eight shaking his head at another teammate who has failed to roll away.
Wales kick to the corner, but Sam Whitelock disrupts the throw of Ken Owens, ending any chance of another structured set-piece strike. The Welsh attack huffs, puffs, and eventually runs completely out of steam, a latcher failing to keep his feet.
TRY! Wales 10-22 NEW ZEALAND (Jordie Barrett try, 35 minutes)
A commanding take from Jordie Barrett and New Zealand have their third! More close-in bish, bash, boshing earns the All Blacks a penalty advantage.
The youngest Barrett lurks as the widest man on the line, a position perhaps pre-planned for such an eventuality, as Richie Mo’unga unfurls a looping box kick, and there is little Rio Dyer can do to deny the rather lankier centre as Barrett leaps above him.
Mo’unga fails to convert from the right touchline.
Wales 10-17 New Zealand, 33 minutes
Taulupe Faletau throws a look of confusion the way of Wayne Barnes as is penalised for failing to release before contesting for breakdown ball. It’s a fair call - Faletau was clearly one of the tacklers and didn’t fully relinquish his grasp.
New Zealand return to the Welsh 22. Codie Taylor arcs menacingly from the back of the maul, eschewing a pass to two charging teammates to meander for five metres more on his lonesome.
PENALTY! WALES 10-17 New Zealand (Gareth Anscombe penalty, 32 minutes)
Gareth Anscombe pops it over. Wales have stirred, and the margin has been quickly chopped back down to seven.
Wales 7-17 New Zealand, 30 minutes
Nick Tompkins! The centre has had a bright start to this game, and is alive to the possibilities as New Zealand fail to fold around the breakdown, leaving space in the guard position right by it. Tompkins picks, goes, and charges into the All Blacks’ 22.
Jordie Barrett fails to roll away - penalty to Wales.
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