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.
Team News - Ireland
Ireland were forced into a change yesterday to the squad named on Thursday, with Robbie Henshaw ruled out of the starting midfield. Stuart McCloskey steps up from the bench, while Jimmy O’Brien was withdrawn from last night’s Ireland A encounter with the All Blacks XV and may make his debut in jersey number 23.
Conor Murray tons up at scrum-half, uniting with Johnny Sexton in a backline that also includes Robert Baloucoune for the biggest test of the Ulsterman’s young international career. The starting forward pack is identical to the one that sealed the series against New Zealand in Wellington in July.
Ireland XV: A Porter, D Sheehan, T Furlong; T Beirne, J Ryan; P O’Mahony, J van der Flier, C Doris; C Murray, J Sexton; M Hansen, S McCloskey, G Ringrose, R Baloucoune; H Keenan.
Replacements: R Herring, C Healy, F Bealham, K Treadwell, J Conan; J Gibson-Park, J Carbery, J O’Brien.
Ireland vs South Africa
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi is braced for an even greater threat from Ireland after admitting his last Dublin Test match was among the toughest days of his international career.
The Springboks have not faced the Irish since suffering a humiliating 38-3 thrashing at the Aviva Stadium five years ago.
Flanker Kolisi is among 10 South Africans who played that day and have a chance for retribution during Saturday evening’s sold-out Autumn Nations Series opener.
The World Cup winner says painful memories of 2017 still linger and believes the hosts are now a “much better” team after making huge strides under Andy Farrell to become rugby’s top-ranked side.
“Of course we have touched on the last time we played against Ireland but this is a whole new team,” said Kolisi. “For us it’s something that we can’t forget. I remember we were here and it was very tough. It was one of the toughest days for most of us in the Springbok jersey.”
Ireland ‘much better’ than side who thrashed South Africa, Siya Kolisi insists
The Springboks have not faced the Irish since suffering a 38-3 thrashing in 2017
F/T: Wales 23-55 New Zealand
Another year, another defeat with Wales seemingly still some distance from challenging the All Blacks. Wayne Pivac’s side took a couple of chances nicely, but were never able to build any kind of sustained pressure on their visitors, even when trailing by as few as six.
After a tour to South Africa on which they look to have progressed and found some real difference-makers up front, this felt like a step back for the Welsh, who have a week to dust themselves down and go again against Argentina.
We’ve got rather less time to switch our focus to events in Dublin - Ireland vs South Africa will soon be underway.
Player of the Match Ardie Savea has a chat with Amazon Prime
“We knew how tough Wales would be at home and we wanted to put on a performance we were proud of. We still leakead a few points, but we will take that.
“I am just trying to have fun. I am truly blessed and grateful to be here; my job is to put smiles on people’s faces.
“It’s by far the best stadium to play in. With the Welsh fans, they are amazing. We relished this opportunity - it is always a highlight when we come here.”
F/T: WALES 23-55 NEW ZEALAND
A spirited Welsh performance, but they never quite managed to match or combat the power game of New Zealand, who eventually surged clear to a convincing final margin. Ardie Savea was (unsurprisingly) outstanding, while Aaron Smith and Jordie Barrett also went well.
TRY! Wales 23-55 NEW ZEALAND (Samisoni Taukei’aho try, 82 minutes)
New Zealand hit fifty!
A powerful surge at the maul leaves the Welsh forwards collapsed in a creased heap, and Samisoni Taukei’aho bundles over. Jordie Barrett’s conversion is the last kick.
Wales 23-48 New Zealand, 80 minutes
Wales are given a free kick with the clock in the red. Kieran Hardy does not dally in his own 22, and there is a frisson of excitement as Rio Dyer beats one before being slashed at the ankles.
Penalty to New Zealand. Into the corner.
TRY! Wales 23-48 NEW ZEALAND (Jordie Barrett try, 77 minutes)
Patient again from the All Blacks and Beauden Barrett puts brother Jordie away!
The Welsh defence is ailing after just about managing to repel 13 phases of forward graft from the New Zealand pack. Beauden Barrett cleverly switches the direction of play, rushing to his left to take Brad Weber’s switch pass and waiting for the right moment to release his baby brother.
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