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.
Wales 0-3 New Zealand, 9 minutes
Off goes Dalton Papali’i! A superb break from the flanker, knocking Justin Tipuric first back and then aside and advancing down into the Welsh 22.
Pressure building. Beauden Barrett keeps hold of the ball, dummying and going himself as is his wont, and the try must surely be coming...
Wales 0-3 New Zealand, 7 minutes
Scrappy stuff. Both sides trade errors, Tomos Williams throwing a quick lineout and Louis Rees-Zammit off on a gallivant, handled by Rieko Ioane, who can just about match the rapid winger for gas. Rhys Priestland’s crossfield kick is not the best, and he’s rather fortunate that neither Caleb Clarke’s feet nor hands are secure as he tries to gather - a runway had appeared in front of the All Black if he had taken cleanly, and he might still be running.
Wales 0-3 New Zealand, 6 minutes
It looks slightly greasy out there, oddly, and Gareth Anscombe slips as he readies himself for a kick inside his own 22. He does well to keep calm and regain his feet, finding grass in which to land his hoist inside the New Zealand half.
Wales 0-3 New Zealand, 5 minutes
Sevu Reece gets high up in the air to tap back Aaron Smith’s next box kick, the ball also spilling forward from a Welsh hand. Jordie Barrett’s long punt draws a call of “advantage over”, and Richie Mo’unga ensures New Zealand win the kicking exchange with a brilliant clearance, the ball hopping into touch just outside the Welsh 22.
PENALTY! Wales 0-3 NEW ZEALAND (Richie Mo’unga penalty, 4 minutes)
Crisp - not a gust of wind to worry about, of course, and from 38 metres or so, it’s true. The All Blacks are on the board.
Wales 0-0 New Zealand, 3 minutes
A shake of the head and a questioning look at his assistants from Wayne Pivac as his Welsh side are penalised - Wayne Barnes is unhappy with a side entry.
Richie Mo’unga with have a crack at the first points of the game.
Wales 0-0 New Zealand, 2 minutes
But that is the danger of Ardie Savea - Gareth Anscombe is brought down by Dalton Papali’i and over the top is the irrepressible number eight, earning the penalty for holding on.
Wales 0-0 New Zealand, 1 minute
Solid enough drill from New Zealand as they take down the opening kick off and clear through the boot of Aaron Smith. Smith’s box kick remains in play, and Wales attack from halfway.
Nifty! Lovely pivot pass out the back from Adam Beard, and George North rounds the corner into space, Scott Barrett tracking back well to cut him down.
Wayne Barnes with the whistle
A proud day for our referee, too. Wayne Barnes takes charge of his 100th test match, and he’s got a special whistle in tow. Brian MacNeice is the TMO.
Wales to kick off - here we go!
Haka
Blimey. The Welsh crowd meet the challenge of the Haka, launching into song to drown out the war cries. Might this be the afternoon for Wales?
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