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, 22 minutes
Another chance for Willemse? South Africa earn a penalty in a not dissimilar spot and...this time fancy a rumble for the left corner. Willemse’s punt is accurate.
Missed penalty! Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 21 minutes
Oh dear. That wasn’t Damian Willemse’s finest, his alignment, obviously, wrong, with what looks to be a clean strike starting and staying some 15 yards right of the posts.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 20 minutes
Stuart McCloskey again draws the plaudits of his teammates as he holds up Damian de Allende in a choke tackle - but Ireland’s joy is short-lived as the TMO spots Johnny Sexton’s arm wrapped around De Allende’s neck.
Penalty to South Africa, and it is kickable - Damian Willemse gestures for the tee.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 18 minutes
Outstanding from South Africa. Again Ireland try to work a play out the back off the top of the lineout, Stuart McCloskey pulling back the ball for a looping Mack Hansen off his blindside wing. Hansen manages to get the pass away; Hugo Keenan definitively does not, Makazole Mapimpi steamrollering the full-back as he catches. South African bodies drive through the ruck and draw a penalty.
YELLOW CARD! Cheslin Kolbe is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 17 minutes
Both Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit have a leg each, lifting up Hansen and appearing to drive him into the floor. It will be a card - but for who?
Kolbe is deemed the initiator, and the primary cause of the tilt and drive. Nika Amashukeli shows him yellow.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 16 minutes
That is gorgeous rugby, South Africa’s blitz defence so nearly unlocked by Ireland’s delightful handling from stable set-piece ball. The outside blitz of Jesse Kriel does just enough to force an errant pass, with Mack Hansen forced to tap up for himself and retreat to gather.
Oh, that looks nasty! Hansen is tilted and dropped on his head - the TMO wants to look...
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 15 minutes
Pats on the back for Stuart McCloskey - a strong bit of defensive play from the inside centre. Jasper Wiese tests the his structural integrity with a quick pick and go, but McCloskey is firm, standing up the number eight. Wiese gets a knee to floor but the centre is immediately over the top of the ball, combining with Caelan Doris to win the penalty.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 13 minutes
Ireland elect to play from deep in their own territory. Johnny Sexton’s wide pass arrives in Mack Hansen’s hands on the bounce, forcing the Ireland wing to jump and jive inside and out in search of space. Damian de Allende brings him down, perhaps with a hint of head-on-head contact, and Jasper Wiese latches on to Conor Murray, causing a fumble. South Africa scrum.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 11 minutes
As perhaps could have been expected, plenty of early high kicking as the two sides battle for aerial and territorial supremacy. Cheslin Kolbe steps in at first receiver and produces a well-weighted up and under, but Hugo Keenan takes it competently.
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