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 7-0 Australia, 12 minutes
France stall Australia’s maul but are penalised again soon after. The Wallabies will have another go, with Dave Porecki hitting Tom Hooper at the front.
Advantage coming....
France 7-0 Australia, 10 minutes
A sharp spot from Luke Pearce - Damian Penaud follows the ring road and then picks his exit, darting up field and into space. But the space was opened by a shoulder in the back of a would-be tackler by Jonathan Danty - the centre’s push isn’t nearly subtle enough to deceive referee Pearce, who rightly pings him to pull Penaud back.
Australia kick to the corner, hoping for a swift reply to that early French score.
France 7-0 Australia, 9 minutes
Antoine Dupont’s attempted clearance is charged down, the France skipper fortunate that the ricochet skids into touch and not towards a green and gold shirt. Australia are free kicked at the lineout which allows the hosts an easy clearance up beyond halfway.
TRY! FRANCE 7-0 Australia (Jonathan Danty try, 7 minutes)
Right through the front door!
Excellent from France, their strike play perfect in conception and execution. The forwards pile in to feign the maul but the lineout catcher Thibaud Flament tosses to Antoine Dupont, already in motion and threatening around the fringes.
Jonathan Danty is there on his shoulder to take the scrum half’s pop and biff back Carter Gordon, the hulking centre strong enough to ride Mark Nawaqintawase’s challenge, too. Danty grounds, Thomas Ramos knocks over the extra two points, and France are up and away.
France 0-0 Australia, 6 minutes
France cut Australia open with their first attacking possession, Jonathan Danty winning the gainline and setting a platfrom from which his back mates can launch into something more extravagant. Damian Penaud accelerates up the touchline and Gabin Villiere is caught high as he tries to take Penaud’s infield toss.
TMO Tom Foley confirms Taniela Tupou’s challenge merits nothing more than a penalty; France opt to probe the right corner.
France 0-0 Australia, 5 minutes
But that’s a vital intervention from Julien Marchand. Australia bring their heavy carriers around the corner but find the blue bricks in place, and the French hooker latches over the top to draw a penalty, with Rob Valetini also flying in off his feet to try and clear Marchand out.
France 0-0 Australia, 4 minutes
Bright from Australia! Excellent continuity as they work to the left, Mark Nawaqinitawase making progress on the touchline tightrope and flicking an offload neatly for Rob Valetini to lumber it on further. Australia into France’s 22.
Missed penalty! France 0-0 Australia, 3 minutes
It isn’t the most pleasant evening, with a bit of wet stuff tumbling down and the breeze gusting. Carter Gordon’s effort from the tee looks pretty initially but is blown off course.
France 0-0 Australia, 1 minute
A lovely, hanging restart from Gordon, but France gather at the second attempt, Charles Ollivon up like a rebounding basketball player to collect.
Into a kicking exchange, with Thomas Ramos thumping long and Gordon replying in kind. Suliasi Vunivalu and Mark Nawaqintawase test their right boots, too - and a French chaser is ruled offside. Penalty to Australia, and Gordon looks towards the posts.
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