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Another France choke beckoned, but they prised the Wallabies off their necks to win a first Test on Australian soil for 31 years and level a thrilling series 1-1 in Melbourne.
France threw away the first Test five minutes after the siren and it looked like it might be a repeat as Australia hit the lead with less than five minutes to play.
To say the French have a habit of self destruction is an understatement. Since the beginning of 2018, France have lost 11 Test matches in which they held halftime lead. No other Tier 1 team has lost more than three games after leading at the break in the same time.
However a French penalty, the seventh along with one conversion in a perfect game from France kicker Melvyn Jaminet restored a two point margin for France, who were able to close out the game, taking much more care than their bungling in Brisbane..
“Both teams have a lot to be happy with but France, what an extraordinary effort,” said All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens on Stan Sport.
The Wallabies had plenty to admire about their performance. Marika Koroibete was sensational, running 122 metres in the first half and 181 overall – well further than his best ever return for the Wallabies.
He thought he’d scored a stunning early try only to have it ruled out by TMO. Fullback Tom Banks, recently elevated to the Wallabies leadership group, was another who shone, but ultimately the French were worth their win, defending with intensity and desire.
“They out-enthused the Wallabies,” said Allana Ferguson on Stan Sport. “Overall, if you look at the break down, that’s where it went wrong for the Wallabies, but what the French did, their urgency, their energy, their ability to make the right decisions… In those little key moments where you could revert to going back to structures they just took their opportunities.
“They pick and drive, they’re really strong in the contact. I just thought they want it more in key times. The Wallabies were brilliant at times, but the French’s ability to throw us off our game, and be creative was really impressive.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie bemoaned too many turnovers in the face of the French aggression.
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“We turned over too much pill near the breakdown turnovers,” said Rennie. “There was nine times in the game and that hurt us.
“We didn’t get the balance right around when to play and when to get a bit of territory. We played some good footy amongst it but never got the chance to put the foot on the throat and put them out of the game.
“We talked a lot about a fast start and thought we got that with Marika scoring. We gave up a soft try when they exposed us down the right flank. I’ve seen a lot of character in this group and we’ll bounce back on Saturday.”
Rennie had chosen the same 23 that won in Brisbane, with Taniela Tupou the only change in the starting lineup.
He said he would have to bring in additional players who missed out.
“We’ll have to use the squad,” he said. “We didn’t make any changes with the 23 and backed them to get the job done and series over. We’re a pretty fit side and confident some of these guys can back up but we’ll utilise guys outside our 23.”
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Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, who profited from a sensational Banks burst in the second half to cross for a try, was full of praise for France.
“No question our guys fight,” he said. “But we wanted a fast start tonight and we were denied that by the French.
“They came out and were really all over our breakdown throughout the majority of the game. We turned over way too much ball. Across the park they were really good and they put us under pressure.
“They played a really good French game tonight – taking points, building pressure. We had to start going to the line to try and put tries on the board. Credit to them, we have to get going on Saturday.
“We strung some nice phases together, had them under pressure then we let them release it. They were good on our ball but we can be much better there.”