A 76th-minute try to Damian Penaud has given France the 30-29 victory over the Wallabies
The Wallabies lit up the Stade de France with a brilliant team effort as they ran the length of the field through Lalakai Foketi.
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France struck just before the break as both teams traded penalties until the end.
Jock Campbell put the visitors in front as the boot of Bernard Foley and Reece Hodge gave Dave Rennie's men a four-point lead late into the game that looked to have won it.
With their 10-game winning streak hanging in the balance, Penaud produced some magic to give the hosts the late lead, holding on for the victory.
“Our guys are gutted because they emptied the tanks tonight and we were one control or exit away from winning it,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said after the match.
“We’re all pretty disappointed but I’m happy with the character and attitude shown, no one really gave us a chance to come to Paris and take on a side that’s been very impressive over the last 15 months.
“We talked about playing without fear, competing hard and throwing everything at them and we did that for a big chunk of the game. It’s a disappointing outcome but proud of the effort."
Taniela Tupou got the Wallabies off to a perfect start, earning a scrum penalty to allow Bernard Foley to open the scoring.
This started the penalty exchange as Foley and France fullback Thomas Ramos traded three-pointers.
French captain Charles Ollivon looked to have scored the first try of the game before being pulled back for a second movement on the ground.
As the hosts continued to apply pressure, the Wallabies conjured something out of nothing to put themselves in front.
Antoine Dupont’s chip kick was collected by Bernard Foley, with the visitors opting to spread the ball inside their 5 metre line as Tom Wright found space.
Wright burst away from the defence to find Jock Campbell, with the fullback finding Lalakai Foketi for one of the tries of the year.
France continued to reduce the margin via the boot as the Wallabies looked to go into the break in front, before some sloppy passing opened the doors for Julien Marchand to dive over the line, giving the hosts a 19-13 at the break.
It was a repeat of the first half as the two kickers traded penalties as a kicking battle emerged.
Needing a spark, the injection of Will Skelton came at the perfect time to force a mistake.
This allowed Bernard Foley to find Jock Campbell, who sprinted away to put Dave Rennie’s men in front.
Both teams continued to increase the score-line by three as the Wallabies looked to hang on.
France went on the attack late, only stopped by gutsy defence from the visitors before Reece Hodge pushed the margin out to four points.
In the end, Penaud produced some magic to put the French in front, stepping past multiple defenders to dive over in the corner.
As the Wallabies went on one last attack, the French got over the ball to seal the victory in a thriller.
FRANCE 30
TRIES: Marchand, Penaud
CONS: Ramos 1/2
PENS: Ramos 6/7
WALLABIES 29
TRIES: Foketi, Campbell
CONS: Foley 2/2
PENS: Foley 4/5, Hodge 1/1
France: 15 Thomas Ramos; 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana; 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain); 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch; 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki; 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Matthis Lebel, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Matthieu Jalibert
Australia: 15 Jock Campbell; 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Tom Wright; 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nic White; 8 Rob Valentini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jed Holloway; 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost; 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Matt Gibson, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Hunter Paisami,23 Reece Hodge
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
