Australia
23
Match Complete
France
21
| N. Lolesio |  | 83 | ||
| N. Lolesio |  | 70 | ||
| M. Hooper |  | 70 | ||
| 61 | | M. Jaminet | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 59 | ||
| 51 | | L. Carbonel | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 43 | ||
| N. Lolesio | | 35 | ||
| B. Paenga-Amosa | | 33 | ||
| 23 | | L. Carbonel | ||
| 21 | | G. Villiere | ||
| 18 | | L. Carbonel | ||
| 5 | | G. Villiere |
| 2 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Wallabies host France at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for the first of three Test matches in the space of ten days. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 8pm (AEST).
The Wallabies start the match as favourites despite being behind France in the World Rugby Rankings.
To be fair, there’s not much recent form to go off.
In that very odd season of 2020, the Wallabies beat New Zealand, lost twice to New Zealand, and drew with New Zealand.
They also drew twice with Argentina, who beat New Zealand.
France, of course, has apparently sent over a ‘third string’ squad that’s spent two weeks in a biosecurity bubble in north-west Sydney before travelling to Brisbane in masks.
They’re on a tour of Australia but culturally could be anywhere. It’d be like hanging out at Singapore Airport for two weeks then playing a game of rugby!
How will they play?
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie told the excellent Paul Cully in The Sydney Morning Herald that France will have a defensive focus and kick his team the ball because of former Wigan rugby league man, Shaun Edwards.
“What we’ve seen with Shaun going there is a massive defensive focus. But they’re kicking the ball a lot more too,” Rennie said.
“When he was with Wales, if they’ve gone two or three phases and haven’t got what they want, they’ll kick because overplaying and turning over ball when your defence isn’t organised …you can get punished.
“But what that does is provide us with opportunities, because they are going to give us a lot of ball.
“We treat counterattack as a set-piece. We’ve got a lot of structure around that and it’s going to be important. They’re going to kick a lot of ball to us.”
Eyes will be upon Australia’s halves pairing of Jake Gordon – who was injured in the first Super Rugby game of the year – and Noah Lolesio who is yet to fully convert from talented tyke to Test regular. One assumes France’s backrowers will be quick to test his suitability at this level.
It’s a highly anticipated series for a couple of reasons:
a) it’s been a while since we’ve since Test rugby in Australia; And b) we don’t know what is going to happen.
So strap yourselves in for what should be a fascinating contest.
Game information
Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Officials: Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZ), Assistants: Nic Berry (AUS), Damon Murphy (AUS), TMO: James Doleman (NZ)
TV: Channel Nine
Online: 9Now, Stan Sports
Odds: Wallabies $1.26, France $3.90 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Wallabies
1. James Slipper, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Matt Philip, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Matt To’omua, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Isi Naisarani, Tate McDermott, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway
France
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2. Gaetan Barlot, 3. Demba Bamba, 4. Killian Geraci, 5. Romain Taofifenua, 6. Dylan Cretin, 7. Anthony Jelonch (c), 8. Sekou Macalou, 9. Baptise Couilloud, 10. Louis Carbonel, 11. Gabin Villiere, 12. Jonathan Danty, 13. Arthur Vincent, 14. Damian Penaud, 15. Melvyn Jaminet.
Reserves: Anthony Etrillard, Quentin Walcker, Sipili Falatea, Florent Vanverberghe, Baptiste Pesenti, Cameron Woki, Teddy Iribaren, Anthony Bouthie
numpty
Roar Rookie
Agreed. I think they came away with points with all but one of the kickable penalties throughout the night when Wright fumbled that grubber in goal. I think they rightly noticed that france weren't contesting the 5m lineout so they essentially had free repeat attempts at the maul.
numpty
Roar Rookie
He missed one from my count which was the Wright knock on in goal from Paisami's grubber. So, I don't think you'd tell him to change his mind if he did it over again.
numpty
Roar Rookie
He was everywhere...
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
With both passes he wasn't in the right position or as he say ready. Which means eyes up rugby- fake the kick and you will have frenchies charging then pass. Simple and effective. Not take a 0 chance option. If you especially once we had the penalty.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
The first drop goal was too early and he admitted as much lost game. The second was smart with a penalty advantage and an easy pot shot On offer, tates pass was just horrific to him. It was only his second start in his second international season, he’ll be learning a lot and I think his post match interview revealed as much.
Ruff Rucker
Roar Rookie
Breaking from the scrum to defend used to be the job of 6 and 7 who were both missing in action last night.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
No. Just sick of the whining about yellow cards
DNZ
Guest
As a long time Banks fan I’m inclined to agree. He’s had so many chances and the little things add up, dropped ball, positioning, missed kicks for touch (criminal frankly). It’s impossible to defend the guy now. He’s a brilliant SR level player but his head isn’t in the game on test match rugby.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
He learned alot this year from Thrush and Timani (at lineout and scrum). I really hope he gets a shot.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
TF I think you sidestepped spell check with Humgeous :happy: Great word though!
AJP
Roar Rookie
Harry, don’t misunderstand me - your comment was eminently sensible. All good. It’s the lazy anecdotes dressed up as fact that grate.
SolidGold
Roar Rookie
And where was Captain Fantastic - sorry Hooperless?
Dean
Roar Rookie
Isi, went a bit “solo” a few times, probably his only fault as a player. The rest, as you said, were the difference.
Harry Jones
Expert
I’m talking about culture/ethos. FR is flaky.
Dean
Roar Rookie
They were consistent- that is the perfect solution.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Start a Go Fund Me. He was (as always) awesome.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Well said “BOULL” (Bill).
Dean
Roar Rookie
Agree on the backs (I’ll add Banks and Gordon’s ignorance to ruck gaps). However, Slipper went alright, better than alright I reckon. Played his role pretty well I thought. Maybe he needed more powder to excel.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Banks also should have made touch from the penalty in the first 3 minutes, him not doing resulted in the first French try. Surely the Banks experiment is done? He is courageous without a doubt and has bought joy to my Rugby watching at Super level however, we need something different.
Dean
Roar Rookie
I would not be surprised if he is still injured or suffering HI issues. He was very quiet in TT and tonight as well. I hope he is ok. I was calling for HP to move into 12 and Ikitau to go 13 at 60 minutes.