‘One exit from winning it’: Gutted Wallabies rue errors after one-point defeat in Paris

Paris: The visiting change rooms at Stade de France were mighty quiet after Australia’s gut-wrenching 30-29 loss to France and though hailing the Wallabies’ character, coach Dave Rennie said errors in key moments in a seesawing Test once again spoiled the chance to claim a statement victory.

The Wallabies almost pulled off the most significant win of Rennie’s tenure but will leave Paris feeling like they let one get away as the world no.2 French side snuck home for a thrilling one-point victory.

Against a French side aiming for a record 11th straight win, the Wallabies led 13-6 after 32 minutes, courtesy of a sensational end-to-end try to Lalakai Foketi. The Wallabies trailed at halftime but clawed their way back and led 29-25 in the dying moments, courtesy of a 75th minute penalty to Reece Hodge.

But two missed tackles from winger Tom Wright and fullback Jock Campbell on Damian Penaud down the right wing proved a killer blow, as the French speedster crossed for a 77th minute match-winner.

Australia had a late chance for victory but a crooked lineout throw from Folau Fainga’a and a poor cleanout cruelled their hopes of snatching late points and a major upset.

Damian Penaud’s try down the right wing proved to be the decisive blow.Credit: Getty Images

“It was pretty quiet in the changing room. Guys are gutted because they emptied their tanks tonight,” Rennie said.

“We were just one error … or exit away from winning it. We’re all pretty disappointed but I’m really rapt with the character and the attitude. No one really gave us a chance to come to Paris and take on a French side that has been very impressive over the last 15 months. We talked about playing without fear and competing hard and throwing everything at them. We did that for a big chunk of the game. Disappointing outcome but proud of the effort.

“We can look at a number of things that happened late in the game or early in the game that were key moments in the end.”

Skipper James Slipper clocked a brutal 78-minute shift, while second-gamer Campbell scored a maiden Test try in a coming-of-age game.

“Given our time over again, you’d hope we’d do a better job on that,” said Rennie of the final try.

“It was pretty evenly matched. We just needed to be able to camp a little bit more in their end of the field.”

Of course, the result will sting, but it is worth remembering the Wallabies were without Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi, Rory Arnold, Quade Cooper, Angus Bell and other figures who will play key roles at next year’s World Cup.

The Wallabies will be back at Stade de France on September 9 next year to play Georgia but the big question is whether they’ll there on October 28 at a World Cup final.

On the evidence of Saturday’s performance, it’d be bold call to write the Wallabies off but their ability to ice tight games needs significant work. Penaud’s try triggered memories of Australia’s Bledisloe nightmare in Melbourne in September.

“I was extremely proud of how we performed tonight,” Slipper said. “They’re a good team. They took their final opportunity and won the game.”

All eyes were on Will Skelton as he entered the game in the 54th minute and he had an immediate impact, including a clever inside pass to Taniela Tupou in the lead-up to Campbell’s try that ultimately put the Wallabies up 23-22 with just over 20 minutes remaining.

“I thought he had a really big impact as we expected,” said Rennie of Skelton. “The big fella will probably get a start next week.”

The play of the day was a spectacular Wallabies try from Foketi in the 18th minute that began on Australia’s five-metre line.

As the Wallabies shifted the ball left, Wright put the burners on to make a break around France’s line before Campbell gave off the final pass of a magnificent piece of running rugby to Foketi, who did just enough to sprint 40 metres for a try that’ll live long in the memory.

“It was an impressive try,” Slipper said. “We wanted to play with no fear tonight and that was a great example of that.”

It was a profitable start for the Wallabies as Nic White set the tone with a sneaky hit on Antoine Dupont at the base of a ruck that turned over possession. France’s halfback was uncharacteristically below par.

With scores at 6-6, France had a five-pointer disallowed before Australia’s sensational team try gave them a seven-point advantage.

Australia were forced to reshuffle their backline as Foketi came from the field in the 25th minute with a shin injury that Rennie said afterwards was “significant” and could end his tour.

France took a 19-13 lead into half-time, courtesy of a couple of penalties and a try against the run of play just like in Australia’s first match against Scotland.

An errant Foley pass went to ground and France swooped, kicking through and finishing off the try close to the line through Julien Marchand right before the break.

France’s forwards were deadly at the breakdown and put Australia under immense pressure at every ruck with ball in hand.

Next week is a clash against Italy, where Australia will play an under strength side.

“We’re not going to do anything that doesn’t respect Italy,” Rennie said. “We’re well aware of their ability. We’re also looking big picture.”

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