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'No one really gave us a chance': Rennie 'gutted' but 'proud' after French test
Coach Dave Rennie said he was “wrapped with the character and attitude” shown by the Wallabies during their thrilling Test against France on Sunday morning (AEDT).
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The Wallabies were less than five minutes away from an incredible upset win over Les Bleus at Stade de France, before some individual brilliance from winger Damian Penaud gave the hosts the lead.
It was a heartbreaking moment for Australian rugby fans, and fullback Jock Campbell, as they fell just short of ending France’s incredible unbeaten run.
Australia had just extended their lead to four points moments earlier through a Reece Hodge penalty, before Penaud scored about 50 seconds after the kick-off.
“Our guys are gutted because they emptied out the tanks tonight,” Rennie told reporters after the 30-29 result.
“We’re all pretty disappointed but look I’m really wrapped with the character and the attitude.
“No one really gave us a chance to come here to Paris and take on a French side that’s been very impressive over the last 15 months.
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“We talked about playing without fear and competing hard and throwing everything at them and we did that for a big chunk of the game. Disappointing outcome but proud of (the) effort.”
After a fairly even start to the Test, Australia raced out to a seven-point lead inside-20 minutes after a stunning length of the field try scored by Lalakai Foketi.
The Wallabies have announced that Lalakai Foketi will return home to Australia with a suspected leg injury. #FRAvAUS #Wallabies https://t.co/lFIXYvyQc8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 7, 2022
But France fought their way back, and took the lead for the first time through a try to Julien Marchand around half-time.
Fullback Jock Campbell scored Australia’s only try of the second half in the 56th minute, also his first in Test rugby, which had the Wallabies within reach of an almighty upset.
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While they couldn’t hold on for the win, France had showed the rugby world once again why they’re among the favourites for next year’s World Cup.
Reflecting on the Test, Rennie said France are especially dangerous when they’re “prepared to throw the ball around.”
“Where France are dangerous is from penalty advantage of knock-on advantages and they’ll play a lot then. They’ve got great athletes in the backs and forwards who can hurt you,” Rennie added.
“They offloaded a hell of a lot more than us, I think the offloading count was like 16 to two. When they’ve got an advantage they’re prepared to throw the ball around.”
Wallabies captain James Slipper said the Test match was exactly what his side expected.
“They’re a French team, they’ve built up a fair bit of momentum over the last one and a half years so we knew what we were up against,” Slipper said.
MATCH REPORT: England made a disastrous start to the autumn after Emiliano Boffelli inspired Argentina to only their second ever victory at Twickenham. #ENGvARG | #AutumnNationsSeries https://t.co/Ja8ik98tzx
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2022
“We knew we had to be playing really good rugby to be in with a shot tonight and I thought we did that.
“It came down to the wire just like last week and just like Ren (Dave Rennie) said, we came out second best tonight, but I was extremely proud of how we performed tonight, how we prepared during the week, and how we turned up tonight.
“They’re a good team. They took their final opportunity and won the game.”
The Wallabies’ record on their five-match spring tour now sits at one win and one loss, after their thrilling one-point win over Scotland last week.
Next up is a trip to Florence where they’ll go up against Italy, before facing Ireland and Wales.
Comments on RugbyPass
Jordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
38 Go to comments