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.
France 22-26 Australia
Foley with the boot, dead centre, it splits the posts.
Now then, the Wallabies are up 26-22, with 14 minutes remaining...
TRY! France 22-23 Australia (Campbell)
TRY AUSTRALIA!
Campbell with a violent run and the Wallabies hit back again, he sensed an opening and snatched it.
The 27-year-old was fighting after the contact to go over for a try on debut.
Foley with a delicate kick from the sideline, it’s drawn in beautifully, the Aussies have the lead again!
France 22-16 Australia
Australia earn a penalty, sloppy handoffs from France.
Dupont was staggered by Faingaa’s great defence.
Then the ball coughed up. The Wallabies ping the ball into touch, this looks promising 11.8m to the try line.
France 22-16 Australia
Ramos from 49m... It’s missed!
6/6 becomes 6/7.
France 22-16 Australia
Stunning high kick from Ntamack puts the Wallabies under more pressure, but they cope admirably.
Campbell bringing it out and Danty emerges from a pile with a smile on his face after bringing down the Aussie, France penalty.
France 22-16 Australia
Ramos puts the kick away without any fuss. France back up by six.
Danty getting into it with Kellaway there after a collision on the turf.
Campbell dashes out from the back and looks to break one, but France’s defence has been sturdy.
France 19-16 Australia
Foley for the Wallabies early in the second-half, just what they needed, back to within three points, 19-16.
Marchand carrying with menace, now the French look to offload with flare.
Australia struggling to contain this move.
Ollivon to the deck and pops it off to Ntamack, drop kick into the space... Blocked.
We’ll come back for the penalty.
France 19-13 Australia
TRY! France 19-13 Australia (Marchand)
It was Marchand who rucked over, but talk about the quality of Dupont, who roughed up Kellaway as he gathered heading back to his own goalline.
A clever move and instinct to grab the opportunity just as others around him complained about Fickou being tripped.
France ruthless and go from a point behind to six clear at the break. A fascinating half comes to a close, the Wallabies have surprised the hosts at times, but they still trail.
France 12-13 Australia
White spins one to Porecki and that’s immense force as he attracts the contact.
But that’s a turnover! A big shot by Jelonch.
WOW! Drama late, Fickou snatches the ball and looks to be away.
He trips, complaints from the French, but they gather the kick and the loose ball a metre or two out.
TRY!
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