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 12-13 Australia
Ramos with another, the lead has almost been erased by the Toulouse star’s boot.
90 seconds until the break...
France 9-13 Australia
Ramos with another clutch kick, the Stade de France is alive. The lead down to four.
France gradually wrestling control of this one.
France 6-13 Australia
France opt for the scrum at midfield, Dupont takes it out after a stalemate, he dashes free and sparks another move.
Just 10 minutes until the break, can France strike back?
A free play and there’s Penaud, he’s gliding through the yellow bodies in his way. The momentum cranked up, will the Wallabies buckle?
France 6-13 Australia
France 6-13 Australia
That’s a blow for the visitors, as Foketi comes off hobbling.
Paisami is on, but Foley meanwhile lines up another kick...
This one hooked wide of the near post, a poor miss, it lifts the home crowd. Still just 6-13.
France 6-13 Australia
France tossing the ball around freely despite that early setback, passes in excess of 20m, according to live data.
Australia are still asking questions, some tidy exchanges with Kellaway impressing.
TRY! France 6-13 Australia (Foketi)
This is quite incredible, the Wallabies break with breathtaking speed.
Wright was superb, making the last pass and Foketi just evades a last ditch tackle.
He’s over, the Stade de France falls silent. Foley boots the extras, what a game we have in store now.
France 6-6 Australia
It’s a thrilling start here in Paris, Australia have been lively.
But the French crowd is driving on the hosts.
Ramos, whose boot levelled earlier at three apiece, is linking this spell of pressure nicely.
Ollivon gets low... He’s in for the try, is he?
No, a quick check brings it back, the Wallabies survive.
Wayne Pivac wants Wales to get physical after latest big loss to New Zealand
Wayne Pivac warned Wales must improve their physicality after New Zealand overpowered them to register a 33rd consecutive victory in the fixture.
New Zealand scored eight tries and a record number of points against Wales in their 55-23 win at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
The All Blacks were last beaten by Wales in 1953 and 25 of their 33 victories since have been by a margin of 15 points or more.
Wayne Pivac wants Wales to get physical after latest big loss to New Zealand
The All Blacks scored eight tries and a record number of points in the fixture.
Onwards to France-Australia
Plenty more to come tonight, too - France’s autumn opener against Australia is not far away at all...
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