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 3-3 South Africa, 35 minutes
Tthere are a few walking wounded out there: Lood de Jager becomes the second player to depart with his arm in a sling, replaced by Franco Mostert, and Conor Murray has hurt himself; off goes the centurion, on comes Jamison Gibson-Park
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 34 minutes
Conor Murray makes a half-break, spotting the space as the South Africa lineout tail defenders rush up to try and intercept the pass that never comes.
Ireland toil away in the Springboks’ 22, with Frans Malherbe picked up for a no-arms tackle. Johnny Sexton will, in all likelihood, put the home side back in front.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 33 minutes
A free kick to South Africa, and Damian Willemse briefly has a brain-fart, starting his run-up to punt but pausing when he sees Andrew Porter approaching, as the prop is permitted to. Willemse just about remembers the law in time, hacking away a clearance in a hurried manner.
No try! Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 32 minutes
Knocked on! He did get there first, but that’s not even close to a proper grounding, reaching between the arms of Jesse Kriel but bouncing it basketball-style.
It was good until then from Sheehan, rushing up to block Damian Willemse’s clearance, beating the fly-half to the loose ball and toeing it on. No try.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 31 minutes
Ireland go slightly more direct, working those trademark tip ons between forwards at the line. Eventually, though, it stalls, and Conor Murray is forced to go to the air.
Hang on - charged down by Dan Sheehan and has the hooker got there?
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 29 minutes
A shake of the head from Johnny Sexton as Dan Sheehan knocks on, the hooker trying to drive in field after collecting Sexton’s heave beyond the South African hard outside blitz. Jacques Nienaber’s defensive system hasn’t always been at the levels that led South Africa to the 2019 World Cup recently, but it’s really troubling Ireland.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 27 minutes
Yes, it isn’t good for McCloskey - he leaves the field with a dejected look, arm wrapped in a makeshift sling made from his shirt. A disappointing end to his evening after a promising opening to a rare start for Ireland.
And this will be a huge test for replacement Jimmy O’Brien, on for his debut with more than 50 minutes left. Garry Ringrose will shift in to inside centre.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 27 minutes
A pretty scrappy first 27 minutes or so, with neither side really able to settle into their flow. South Africa have had more possession, but Ireland have thus far looked reasonably comfortable against the Springboks’ attack.
This will be a worry for Andy Farrell, though - Stuart McCloskey, called into the starting side after Robbie Henshaw’s withdrawl yesterday, is down and receiving treatment on an arm injury.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 25 minutes
Ireland’s lineout goes awry, with Dan Sheehan missing his jumper at the tail.
The two sides exchange high kicks, Robert Baloucoune, quiet so far in phase play, taking Jaden Hendrikse’s skyward box securely.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 23 minutes
Penalty to Ireland! South Africa begin to bash on the door, their initial efforts turned away but a group of forward muscling on in midfield.
But Lood de Jager fails to stay on his feet as the sole latcher - he’s pinged for sealing off.
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