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 6-6 South Africa, 43 minutes
Steven Kitshoff welcomes Finlay Bealham to the game by marching him back five yards at the scrum, Ireland just about surviving without conceding a penalty and then grateful for a South African knock-on as the pressure builds.
And then the penalty goes Bealham’s way! Kitshoff deemed to have gone straight to floor on the engage.
Ireland 6-6 South Africa, 41 minutes
A moment of fortune for Ireland, who haven’t been at their best today in the air. Mack Hansen misjudges Cheslin Kolbe’s high bomb, and Pieter-Steph du Toit initially appears to have gathered cleanly, but just fumbles forward as he attempts to then capitalise.
Second half begins!
Tadhg Furlong, who was struggling with an ankle injury before half-time, has not rejoined his Ireland teammate. Finlay Bealham will see things out on the tighthead.
H/T: Ireland 6-6 South Africa
Nip and tuck. A real scrap in Dublin, neither side yet able to unlock the other with any degree of regularity. The battle between the South African defence and Ireland attack has been fascinating, with the Springboks on top, but the home side’s goalline defence has been stout.
It’s been ferocious, and it’s unlikely to get less physical from here.
PENALTY! Ireland 6-6 SOUTH AFRICA (Cheslin Kolbe penalty, 42 minutes)
Cheslin Kolbe takes over kicking duties from the tee for South Africa, and it’s back to all square as the two sets of players trot off for their oranges.
Ireland 6-3 South Africa, 39 minutes
With a slight limp, Tadhg Furlong takes up position in Ireland’s defensive lineout, which opts not to compete on this occasion. Siya Kolisi knocks back Josh van der Flier with a nasty carry, and South Africa have an advantage and, soon after, the penalty.
Ireland 6-3 South Africa, 39 minutes
Poached! James Ryan gets up at the front and steals Malcolm Marx’s lineout throw from the grasp of Eben Etzebeth.
Jimmy O’Brien does very well to then get a solid enough clearance away off his left boot.
A physical contest really is taking a toll - Tadhg Furlong is the latest to drop to floor and take some treatement.
Ireland 6-3 South Africa, 38 minutes
Andrew Porter drives in too soon at the lineout before the lifted South African player comes to floor. South Africa’s forwards stride down with intent towards the Irish line in menacing pursuit of Damian Willemse’s kick for touch.
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