Sunday 16 November, 2014 
 

LATE SURGING QANTAS WALLABIES UNABLE TO TOPPLE FRANCE IN PARIS 

 

A late surging Qantas Wallabies have been defeated by France 29-26 in Paris on Sundaymorning.

The loss means that Australia has been unable to keep their unbeaten run against France in 2014 after the 3-0 successful series in June of this year.

Australia will now head to Dublin to take on Six Nations Champions Ireland next week.

THE MATCH
Australia was unlucky not to score in the first minute of the match when a hurried French kick on their line was deflected off an Australian hand into Rob Simmons. The big lock couldn’t keep control of the ball and Les Bleus were fortunate not to concede.

A fired up French outfit marched their way well into the Qantas Wallabies defensive zone and were able to take an early lead in the match when scrumhalf Sebastien Tillous-Borde dived through to score to bring the score to 7-0.

Australia struck back straight away with some excellent work by the rushing Australian forwards off the restart allowing Bernard Foley to successfully convert the first penalty opportunity, bringing the score to 7-3.

Mistakes in the midfield by Australia made it difficult for the Wallabies to build momentum and a clinical France pushed the Wallaby defence with consistent attacks on the Wallabies try line.
Les Bleus’ efforts eventually leading to Lopez successfully converting a penalty, to extend France’s lead to 10-3.

Further infringements by the home nation at the breakdown allowed Foley to keep the Wallabies within striking range to bring the score to 10-6.

France were eventually rewarded for their patience with a second try after the Wallabies made costly errors to let the French back in through winger, Teddy Thomas who darted through several attempted tackles to score.

France pushed forward with the score at 17-6.

The Qantas Wallabies were able to score a try just before half time after a solid Australian scrum, led by Sekope Kepu in his 50^th Test match.

The scrum in the French 22 allowed the Australian backs to create space, for Adam Ashley-Cooper to crash over for a well-earned try.   

The score moved to 17-13 in favour of France but with the Wallabies having found some attacking momentum.

The Wallabies capitalised on this to control the ball and keep the tiring French defence working.
A penalty was given to the Wallabies allowing Bernard Foley to cut the deficit to one point (17-16) on the cusp of half time.

France started the second half well and again were able to capitalise on Australian errors as Lopez successfully converted a penalty to take the score to 20-16.

After some solid Wallaby defence France were able to extend its lead with a penalty against young Australian forward, Sean McMahon allowing Lopez to convert another penalty to take the score to 23-16.

Bernard Foley continued his 100% kicking form in the 54^th minute of the match to convert his forth penalty of the match to keep Australian in range of France with the score at 23-19.

With less than 20 minutes left in the match France extended its lead through consecutive penalties by Lopez and Rory Kockott to take the score to 29-19.

After a brilliant run by Ben McCalman and Adam Ashley-Cooper to open the French defence Les Bleus were forced to employ desperate measures at the breakdown to stop the Wallabies scoring a try when Ashley-Cooper was brought down five metres before the line.

Remi Tales was sent to the sin bin for the infringement giving Australia an opportunity to chance their arm with less than 10 minutes to go.

An excellent run by Australian fullback Israel Folau gave the Wallabies a much needed jump start and eventually allowed Rob Simmons to be rewarded for his solid performance all match with his first Test try just near the posts.

The successful conversion brought the score to 29-26 in favour of France.
Despite the Qantas Wallabies never giving up, France did enough to hold on to take the match out, 29-26.

Australia now heads to Ireland to take on Six Nations Champions Ireland who recently defeated world number two ranked, South Africa.

France 29 (Sebastien Tillous-Borde, Teddy Thomas tries; Camille Lopez 2 cons; Camille Lopez 4, Rory Kockott pens) defeated Australia 26 (Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Simmons tries; Bernard Foley 2 cons; Bernard Foley 4 pens)