Sunday 23 November, 2014 
 

QANTAS WALLABIES UNABLE TO BREAK IRELAND’S UNBEATEN RUN IN DUBLIN

The Qantas Wallabies have been defeated by Ireland 26-23 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin continuing the Six Nations Champions’ unbeaten run at home in 2014.

The Wallabies came back from an early 17-0 Irish lead to be locked at 20-20 at half time as Ireland started the match brilliantly.

The Qantas Wallabies will now travel to London to play England at Twickenham in the final match between the two sides before next year’s Rugby World Cup clash in Pool A.

THE MATCH
The match started at a frenetic pace as the Wallabies looked to go wide early in attack as the Australian backs tested the Irish defence.

Jonathan Sexton gave Ireland a 3-0 lead early in the match with a successful penalty conversion after the Wallabies infringed at the breakdown.

A turnover off Wallaby Lock Luke Jones in his second Test for Australia gave Ireland a counter attacking opportunity with a kick in behind the Wallaby defence.  

Winger Simon Zebo raced forward to successfully collect the ball and score in the corner.

The Wallabies attempted to counter quickly as the score reached 10-0 but a rapid Wallaby attack in Ireland’s defensive zone went disastrously as Irish centre Tommy Bowe rushed out of his line to intercept the ball and run 80 metres to score.

Ireland extended its lead to 17-0 as the Wallabies were left to collect their thoughts.

The Wallabies were finally able to work their way into the match after Nick Phipps broke through the Green defence to score underneath the posts.

A successful conversion from Bernard Foley brought the score to 17-7 in favour of the home nation.  

The Wallabies continued to earn some possession and territory as the forwards muscled up in the contest.

Australia scored in the corner after a cross field kick from Bernard Foley went into the arms of Test debutant Henry Speight. Speight was caught just short of the line but Nick Phipps popped a pass to his fly half allowing Foley to score.

The kick was missed but the Wallabies were finally able to find some momentum as the score moved to 17-12 in favour of Ireland.

Australia’s third try came through some excellent ball movement between the Wallaby Forwards and Backs as a string of pop passes kept the ball alive and the Irish defence retreating which allowed Foley and Phipps to combine for Phipps’ second try.

Foley missed the conversion leaving the scores locked at 17-17.

Both sides traded penalties before the end of the first half, leaving the scores at 20-20 at the break.
The break was kinder to Ireland as they were able to regain the lead with Irish flyhalf, Jonathan Sexton kicking his team to 23 points to Australia’s 20 after the Wallabies were penalised at the breakdown.

The battle of the flyhalfs continued as Foley responded with a successful penalty conversion of his own after the Wallabies Scrum placed too much pressure on the Irish pack leaving the score at 23-23.

The second half continued to be a struggle for both teams as each side attempted to wrestle the upper hand. In the 64^th minute, Ireland got this opportunity with Sexton again successfully kicking a penalty taking the score to 26-23 in favour of Ireland.

For the second week in a row the Wallabies had all the momentum in the final moments of the match as Australia advanced with wave after wave of successful phases.

Ultimately Ireland was able to be passionate and an isolated Australian player allowed Ireland to get a penalty and escape the Australian attack as the full time siren echoed around the packed stadium.
The Qantas Wallabies will now regroup and head to London to take on England.
 
Ireland 26 (Tommy Bowe, Simon Zebo tries; Jonathan Sexton 2 cons; Jonathan Sexton 4 pens;) defeated Australia 23 (Nick Phipps 2, Bernard Foley tries; Bernard Foley cons; Bernard Foley 2 pens;) 
 

Thursday 20 November, 2014
 

QANTAS WALLABIES CONFIRM BENCH FOR IRELAND CLASH
 

The Qantas Wallabies have confirmed their eight-man bench for Saturday’s Lansdowne Cup and Spring Tour clash against Ireland at Aviva Stadium.

The Qantas Wallabies line-up is as follows:
 
1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds- 61 Tests)
2. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds – 34 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs – 50 Tests)
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies – 9 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds – 48 Tests)
6. Luke Jones (Melbourne Rebels – 1 Test)
7. Michael Hooper (c - NSW Waratahs – 40 Tests)
8. Ben McCalman (Western Force – 36 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs – 26 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs – 16 Tests)
11. Henry Speight (ACT Brumbies – uncapped)*
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies – 19 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies – 19 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs – 102 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs – 27 Tests)
 
Reserves
16. James Hanson (Queensland Reds – 7 Tests)
17. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs – 70 Tests)
18. Tetera Faulkner (Western Force – 1 Test)
19. Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs – 6 Tests)
20. Jake Schatz (Queensland Reds – 1 Test)
21. Will Genia (Queensland Reds – 57 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds – 51 Tests)
23. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs – 47 Tests)
*On Debut

 

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)


 

Friday 14 November, 2014
 

SCHATZ AND BEALE TO JOIN QANTAS WALLABIES SQUAD
 

The Qantas Wallabies have made two changes to their squad with backrower Jake Schatz and playmaker Kurtley Beale to join the team in Dublin ahead of next Saturday’s match against Ireland.

Their inclusion comes with experienced backrower Scott Higginbotham returning to Australia after being unable to overcome a hamstring injury he initially suffered in the opening game of the Spring Tour against the Barbarians.

Schatz and Beale will join the team in Dublin on Sunday, following tomorrow’s clash against France at Stade de France.

The match against France is Australia’s third of their five-game Spring Tour, and will be followed by games against Ireland and England.

The Qantas Wallabies commenced their Spring Tour with an entertaining 40-36 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham, before toppling Wales 33-28 at Millennium Stadium.

Thursday 13 November, 2014
 

QANTAS WALLABIES CONFIRM BENCH FOR FRANCE CLASH
 

The Qantas Wallabies have confirmed their eight-man bench for Saturday’s Trophée des Bicentenaires and Spring Tour clash against France at Stade de France.

The Qantas Wallabies line-up is as follows:
 
1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds- 60 Tests)
2. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds – 33 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs – 49 Tests)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds – 57 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds – 47 Tests)
6. Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels – 1 Test)
7. Michael Hooper (c - NSW Waratahs – 39 Tests)
8. Ben McCalman (Western Force – 35 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs – 25 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs – 15 Tests)
11. Joe Tomane (ACT Brumbies – 13 Tests)
12. Christian Leali’ifano (ACT Brumbies – 15 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies – 18 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs – 101 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs – 26 Tests)
  
16. James Hanson (Queensland Reds – 6 Tests)
17. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs – 69 Tests)
18. Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies – 70 Tests)
19. Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs – 5 Tests)
20. Matt Hodgson (Western Force – 10 Tests)
21. Will Genia (Queensland Reds – 56 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds – 50 Tests)
23. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs – 23 Tests)


 

Thursday 13 November, 2014 
 

SEKOPE KEPU TO PLAY MILESTONE 50th TEST FOR AUSTRALIA AGAINST FRANCE
 

Qantas Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu will play his milestone 50th Test for Australia inSaturday’s (7am Sunday morning AEDT) Trophée des Bicentenaires and Spring Tour clash against France at Stade de France. 

The talented 28-year-old will become just the sixth prop in Australian Rugby history to reach the 50-game milestone, joining a group which includes Ben Alexander (70 games), Benn Robinson and Al Baxter (69 games), James Slipper (60 games) and Ewen McKenzie (51 games).

Kepu will reach the mark in his seventh year of Test Rugby after making his debut against Italy in 2008, with the honour adding to an already special season which also included winning a maiden Super Rugby title for the NSW Waratahs.

Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika congratulated Kepu on his achievement.

“Sekope has been a great player for Australian Rugby over a long period of time and I speak for everyone when I congratulate him on this very special milestone,” Cheika said.

“He has proudly represented the Wallabies for seven years and the experience he now brings to this team is invaluable.  He still has plenty of improvement in his game and I’m confident his best years of Rugby are ahead of him.”

Kepu’s selection comes as part of a starting line-up which includes just one change to the team which beat Wales 33-28 at Millennium Stadium at the weekend.

The change sees lock James Horwill come into the starting XV in place of Sam Carter, highlighting the improved depth of the Wallabies’ second-row.

The Qantas Wallabies bench has yet to be finalised and will be confirmed and announced in the lead-up to the match.

Cheika said he was expecting a vastly different French team to the one Australia swept 3-0 during the June Test series.

“The French have a completely different mindset when they are playing at home, as well as some exciting new players in their squad, and we are under no illusions as to the intensity they are going to bring to the game,” he said.

“For us, it is still early days and we are getting used to a new system in attack and defence.  I was happy with the first steps we took against Wales.

“The challenge for us this week was to ensure that we raised the bar much higher in terms of our accuracy and intensity at training.  

“We really want to do Australia proud against France this weekend.”

The match is Australia’s third of their five-game Spring Tour, and will be followed by matches against Ireland and England.

The Qantas Wallabies commenced their Spring Tour and the Michael Cheika era with an entertaining 40-36 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham, before toppling Wales 33-28 at Millennium Stadium.

The Qantas Wallabies side to play France for the Trophée des Bicentenaires at Stade de France on Saturday 15 November is:

1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds- 60 Tests)
2. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds – 33 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs – 49 Tests)
4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds – 57 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds – 47 Tests)
6. Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels – 1 Test)
7. Michael Hooper (c - NSW Waratahs – 39 Tests)
8. Ben McCalman (Western Force – 35 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs – 25 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs – 15 Tests)
11. Joe Tomane (ACT Brumbies – 13 Tests)
12. Christian Leali’ifano (ACT Brumbies – 15 Tests)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies – 18 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs – 101 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs – 26 Tests)
 
Reserves
To Be Confirmed