The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Australia vs France: Rugby League World Cup highlights, live scores, blog

3rd November, 2017

LIVE SCORES

Scores updated regularly. REFRESH NOW

Australia vs France

2017 Rugby League World Cup, November 3

Canberra Stadium, Canberra, ACT
Australia France
52 SCORE 6
10 Tries 1
6 Conversions 1
0 Penalty Goals 0
0 Field Goals 0
Kick-off: 8pm (AEDT)
Venue: Canberra Stadium
TV: Live, Channel 7
Online: Live, 7live
Betting: Australia $1.01, France $41
Overall record: Played 59, Australia 43, France 14, drawn 2
Last meeting: 2009 Four Nations - France 4 defeated by Australia 42 at Stade Sebastien Charlety, Paris
Referee: Robert Hicks

Australia
1. Billy Slater 2. Tom Trbojevic 3. Will Chambers 4. Josh Dugan 5. Josh Mansour 6. Michael Morgan 7. James Maloney 8. Jordan McLean 9. Cameron Smith 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Wade Graham 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Josh Mcguire
Interchange: 14. Cameron Munster 15. Felise Kaufusi 16. Aaron Woods 17. David Klemmer 18. Valentine Holmes 19. Matt Gillett 20. Boyd Cordner 21. Dane Gagai

France
1. Mark Kheirallah 2. Fouad Yaha 3. Bastien Ader 4. Olivier Arnoud 5. Ilias Bergal 6. Remy Marginet 7. Theo Fages 8. Maxime Herold 9. Eloi Pelissier 10. Julian Bousquet 11. Benjamin Garcia 12. Benjamin Jullien 13. Jason Baitieri
Interchange: 14. Thibault Margalet 15. Mickael Rouch 16.Romain Navarrete 17. John Boudebza 18. Lucas Albert 19. Antoni Maria 20. Nabil Djalout 21.Lambert Belmas
Cameron Smith of the Australia Kangaroos in action during the 2017 Anzac Test (Image: NRL)
Expert
3rd November, 2017
147
3856 Reads

Australia will be looking for another big win in the Rugby League World Cup when they take on France, who must pull off the upset to end all upsets to keep their finals chances alive. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEDT).

The Kangaroos came away with a convincing victory last weekend over England, but still need to prove a few points.

Their attack was a little up and down, particularly during the first half. That can certainly be put down to rust, but given there have been no changes to the spine, a cricket score could be on the cards against a French team who were uninspiring in their loss to Lebanon.

Australia, have rung the changes elsewhere for this match. James Maloney replaces Cooper Cronk in the halves, and a new-look wing combination will see Josh Mansour and Tom Trbojevic in line for plenty of tries, while Jake Trbojevic is out for the tournament, replaced by Josh McGuire at lock.

David Klemmer and Aaron Woods are back to the bench as well, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard set to make his debut up front alongside Jordan McLean, who came off the bench last time out.

Because Australia won last week, they are now in pole position to secure top spot in Group A. That should mean they avoid a semi-final clash with New Zealand, unless of course the Kiwis lose to Tonga next weekend.

France, on the other hand, are trying to save their World Cup campaign. Their loss to Lebanon means they need to beat either Australia or England, as well as getting their for-and-against back ahead of the Cedars – and that’s providing the Lebanese don’t win either of their two remaining games.

The French were ordinary last week. Their defence didn’t hold strong, and while it took some Mitchell Moses brilliance to put the French away at the end of the game, they should have been further ahead.

Advertisement

Theo Fages can only do so much, and while he was strong with his kicking and passing game, he needs to find some support from new halves partner Remy Marginet, who replaces William Barthau, and fullback Mark Kheirallah, who struggled to make much of an impact.

At the end of the day, France aren’t in the same league as Australia and will need to play out of their skin to compete.

Prediction
Australia will be way too strong. Let’s hope it’s not, but this could well be over before halftime.

Australia by 28.

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Rugby League World Cup from 8pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.

close