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 vs New Zealand to come - with a late change for the hosts
Action from Cardiff follows the conclusion of this Edinburgh encounter, and there is news of a late change to the Welsh side picked to take on the All Blacks.
Leigh Halfpenny, who has been battling a hamstring injury and barely figured in yesterday’s captain run, has been ruled out, which prompts a reshuffle - Gareth Anscombe slides back from fly-half to fill the starting full-back shirt, with Rhys Priestland now wearing ten. Sam Costelow is in line for a debut from the bench.
H/T: Scotland 14-12 Fiji
Two points in it at the half, which Scotland will very much take. Fiji had the better of large portions of the first 40 minutes, showing their ability to inflict damage in spaces open and tight. Vern Cotter’s side bounced back well from the early yellow card to Ratu Leone Rotuisolia and George Turner’s opening score, with tries from the lock on debut and Setareki Tuicuvu putting them in front.
It’s been a disordered game, with Scotland struggling with their discipline, and Fiji will rue not capitalising on a long spell in Scottish territory around the half-hour mark. That Adam Hastings try feels crucial - but Scotland will have to be better after the interval.
TRY! SCOTLAND 14-12 Fiji (Adam Hastings, 40 minutes)
Adam Hastings sells the dummy and Scotland have that score!
The Scottish scrum vindicate the decision of their captain by earning a penalty advantage. Ali Price chooses the right, passing to Adam Hastings, who flings the wide feint, scurries away from Kalaveti Ravouvou and flops beneath the posts.
His conversion is the final act of the first half - and sends Scotland down the tunnel narrowly in front.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 39 minutes
Penalty to Scotland, and a choice to be made - it’s a certain three points, but Jamie Ritchie calls for a scrum. Perfect attacking position, just left of centre, ten metres or so out.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 38 minutes
A debut for Fiji - Kini Murimurivalu has been forced off, meaning the ridiculously skilled Sireli Maqala steps in at full back.
A Fijian lineout error gives Scotland attacking ball, though, and a chance at a steadying score before the half.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 36 minutes
Space for Duhan van der Merwe, but that is some cover tackle from Albert Tuisue! Big game after big game, Tuisue on the angle gives the long-striding Scotland wing a healthy tonking into touch as Van der Merwe enters the Fijian 22.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 35 minutes
Fiji explore the full width of the field, Vilimoni Botitu knoitting everything together with some delicate, deceptive handling. Viliame Mata and Kalaveti Ravouvou are just about coralled, and that’s better from Scotland, remaining in their defensive structure and eventually forcing a kick.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 34 minutes
A free kick at the scrum will give Scotland an easy clearance, too, with Stuart Hogg returning as touch is found.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 33 minutes
Up the middle trundles Kalaveti Ravouvou, beating one, but Scotland handle him well. Frank Lomani is forced in to seal the ball, and Fiji get themselves in a muddle at the base - knocked on! Chance gone for Fiji; the sighs of relief from the Scottish coaching box almost audible at a close-to silent Murrayfield.
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