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.
Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 58 minutes
The Irish front row then stand up under pressure at the scrum. Bongi Mbonambi will throw the South African lineout on the edge of Ireland’s 22.
Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 56 minutes
Robert Baloucoune has barely been sighted with ball in hand today, highlighting a left-leaning approach from the Irish attack. His aerial work has been mixed - he is up early, impressively here, but fails to collect cleanly.
Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 55 minutes
A ten-point lead is far from safe, obviously, but Ireland are really starting to take control of this game. South Africa need a moment of inspiration - both of their back replacements are now on, with Faf de Klerk ready to feed a scrum and Willie le Roux on at full-back. Cheslin Kolbe shifts to the wing.
Here is that superb Mack Hansen try.
Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 55 minutes
That’ll please Finlay Bealham rather more. Nika Amashukeli’s whistle sounds with the South African scrum in rapid retreat.
Ireland 16-6 South Africa, 53 minutes
A loose pull-back pass from Finlay Bealham at the line, failing to pick his spot and throwing it inaccurately. South Africa try to capitalise, but are over-eager, rushing their play, with an offload to Siya Kolisi clearly forward.
TRY! IRELAND 16-6 South Africa (Mack Hansen try, 50 minutes)
A superbly taken try!
This is outstanding from start to finish from Ireland. First Caelan Doris is sharpest to react to a loose ball, ensuring it remains infield and allowing his teammates to recycle. Finlay Bealham plays his part as the efficient cog turning it on, allowing Jamison Gibson-Park to dart into space outside of Steven Kitshoff.
Gibson-Park releases an early pass, Tadhg Beirne providing linking hands in space, allowing Jimmy O’Brien to send Mack Hansen away on an unimpeded frolic to the line.
Johnny Sexton’s touchline conversion attempt is a better effort than his last, but isn’t quite there.
Ireland 11-6 South Africa, 48 minutes
Vincent Koch - sadly so briefly of Wasps, now of Stade Francais - is on for South Africa for Frans Malherbe at tighthead.
Ireland just starting to grow in confidence. Strong defence as the Springboks go nowhere.
TRY! IRELAND 11-6 South Africa (Josh van der Flier try, 46 minutes)
They haven’t - Van der Flier has scored!
Excellent from the Ireland flanker, remaining alert even as the maul crabs over towards the touchline. Van der Flier remains straight, keeping the chalk off his boots and firmly finding the line before he is forced out.
Try? Ireland 6-6 South Africa, 46 minutes
The maul gets moving and Josh van der Flier celebrates as he plants the ball down in the field of play. But had South Africa forced the rumbling mass into touch?
Ireland 6-6 South Africa, 45 minutes
A bit of zip into Ireland’s play, Johnny Sexton remaining down after releasing an inside ball to Mack Hansen, but not necessarily missed, Hugo Keenan, Garry Ringrose and Jimmy O’Brien all taking on playmaking duties.
Jamison Gibson-Park produces a delicious blind inside ball out the back to put Hansen into another hole, and eventually Ireland draw a penalty, the fifth against South Africa at the breakdown.
Sexton receives extended treatment, but joins his teammates in the huddle soon enough.
The Ireland captain has a chat with lieutenant James Ryan. “Corner?”
“Corner.”
To the corner they go.
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