Rugby: France wins in Australia for the first time in 31 years

Published on : 07/13/2021 – 15:48

Historic success of France in Australia. Despite a team diminished by the absence of many executives, the Blues managed to beat the Wallabies (28–26) on their soil for the first time since 1990, Tuesday July 13 in Melbourne.

Passed very close to the feat last Wednesday in Brisbane, Fabien Galthié’s men had made a regrettable blunder at the very end of the game, offering the Australians an opportunity to reverse the situation and win this first test (23-21).

This time, they did not fail, winning thanks to an opportunistic try from winger Damian Penaud and the accuracy in front of the poles of the back Melvyn Jaminet (8/8), player who played in the second division this season.

They will play a “beautiful” Saturday in Brisbane against the double world champions (1991, 1999) who are struggling to regain their former glory.

In front of the spectators of the AAMI Park, the French still took the lead. The regularity of the metronome in front of the posts of Jaminet (4/4 in the first period), and the test of Penaud, against the course of the game, allowed them to lead by ten points (16-6).

Excellent Jaminet

Winger Marika Koroibete, one of the most prominent Wallabies with his sharp runs, was denied a try, after resorting to video, for a forward from his partner Tom Wright. But the Australians, more structured in their game than last week, managed to reduce the score just before the break (16-13) thanks to a good construction from right to left materialized by their scrum half Jake Gordon.

Dave Rennie’s men got back to the score as soon as they got back from the locker room thanks to Lolesio’s boot. But the Blues, more disciplined than last week, took the lead offensively and in the fight, pushing the Wallabies into the back of the field.

Jaminet, again, allowed the French to take nine steps ahead (25–16) within twenty minutes of the siren. But the Australian captain Michael Hooper sounded the revolt by bringing a second try to his team less than ten minutes from time. Then Lolesio allowed his team to take the advantage for the first time thanks to a penalty (26-25).

But a final penalty from Jaminet, involved in the French defeat last week, delivered the Blues.

The XV of France had not won in Australia since June 30, 1990, winning 28 to 19.

With AFP