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.”
Thorny's Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Well said Hoy - I posted earlier in the week hoping, praying, rain dancing that Doleman would not "pull-a-Doleman" and interrupt the ruck, scrum, scrum, line out (entire bloody game) with the aptitude of cauliflower ear.....I was again left with my pants down (no comment on the other times...)
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
I was watching on a poor quality stream, but that pass looked dubious to me as well. Not a peep from ref.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
As per my previous question … and your point is? The assessment of Mooney’s achievements at the Reds does not come down to who you think his starting halves were in two of his three seasons. Nor do I think McKenzie’s supposed genius as a backline coach be assessed in isolation from the influence of Genia and Cooper. According to Wikipedia Nick Berry was the starting half in 2007.
Bluesfan
Very likely - but when you have the players I've listed above along with the likes of Jordan/Ioane/J Barrett in a backline, think a lot more points would have being scored via having access to WC 10 vs. effectively a very green 10 in Lolesio.
Double Agent
Guest
I doubt the French would let those Coles ones at the end in so easily.
PeterK
Roar Guru
thats because he was running forward, the ball landed forward of where contact was made even though Wright was still ahead of the ball.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Yes McReight's in the squad and had the best stat's in all areas (except lineout) in SR AU 2021. He's by far our best breakdown exponent with a higher work rate than L Wright. We've had no replacement for Fardy since ......Fardy :(
stillmissit
Roar Guru
It looked like it went under his arm and down behind him. Did I miss something?
Don
Roar Rookie
The starting halves in 2007/8 under Mooney were Cordingley and Barnes.
Bluesfan
Is that the game we won by 34 points and did something that Oz can't e.g. score tries. As I said above, AB's do actually have a functioning backline and would have cut apart the French with all the space they were giving on the outside. Just have to look how easily Korobiete cut France apart early in the game only for it to be called back because of poor skills. Their is a little difference in having Mounga/Barrett/McKenzie running a backline vs Lolesio.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
And your point is? I am a long way south of the border and could care less but I seem to remember Mooney being appointed to an imploded shambles which was rebuilt with a younger generation of players. That is it for relying on my memory, so to Wikipedia, where it turns out you may have been making it up as you go. Genia signed to the Reds in 2006 and played 11 of 13 SR matches that year. Debuted Wallabies 2009. Cooper signed 2007 and debuted that year. Debuted Wallabies 2008.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Thought of that as I wrote, but still cleverly riding the line. The referees are not pulling them up. It does look like they are immediately releasing and rolling so they do not interfere with the ball or the tackled player. Just happens to end up in close proximity to the ball and the halfback. It is a fact of life that coaches are one step ahead of the players who end up one step in front of the referee.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Both played well at 10 in the worst team? If anything it is an argument why they might go well since Lolesio had the luxury of playing in one of the best teams two seasons in a row.
Toehill
Roar Rookie
Did McReight make the squad? I can’t remember now. I personally prefer Wright as he’s a bit bigger and adds that true third line out option. Something gone since the Fardy days. Yes Ikitau looked really sharp when he came on. Happy to see him get another decent crack. I’m ambivalent either way on Daugunu or Wright. Both are error prone but Daugunu probably has been speed and kicking game. Wright shouldn’t be leaving kicks to bounce. I’m sure he did it in SRAU as well. It’s a worry.
Don
Roar Rookie
Genia and Cooper weren’t even Mooney’s first choice halves in 2007-9 and he was sacked after then. Berrick Barnes and Sam Cordingley were the QLD halves when Mooney coached. He was the Aus U19s coach in 2006 and a lot of those guys subsequently came up through the Reds. He claimed that the future of the Reds was in the younger players when he was sacked. Blind Freddy could see there was a great crop of kids coming through, none could be attributed to Phil Mooney as the catalyst for their ascension to Super Rugby.
Double Agent
Guest
"AB’s would have put 30 on the French" After watching their game against Fiji I seriously doubt that.
Double Agent
Guest
"Even Hooper waits for Pocock to win the ball or secure the ball at the breakdown" It's gonna be a long wait - Poey hasn't played for 2 years!! :laughing:
PeterK
Roar Guru
hodge played all his games bar 1 at 12 for the rebels this year
PeterK
Roar Guru
they are supposed to roll east west not north south
PeterK
Roar Guru
if it touched his elbow it was a knock on, elbow and down is a knock on