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'Very French': Wallabies fans in fits following absurd French finish
It was a case of so near yet so far for Les Bleuson Wednesday night as they came within literal seconds of a first win over the Wallabies on Australian soil since 1990.
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Whilst the Wallabies struggled to get their combinations working for the majority of the game, the French side, with a starting fifteen containing just 122 caps between them, looked like experienced and well-drilled test level competitors.
The French worked two wonderful tries for Gabin Villière early on and put the Wallabies under serious pressure with a classic Shaun Edwards defensive display. After 25 minutes Les Bleus were 15-0 up.
The Wallabies started to pile on some attacking pressure of their own in the last ten minutes, with the introduction of Taniela Tupou and Tate McDermott from the bench proving decisive.
A missed drop goal attempt from Noah Lolesio and a Hunter Pasami crosskick drifting just wide with three minutes to go seemed to suggest a famous French win down under was on the cards. Yet, at the very last moment, that early French composure seemed to entirely disappear as heavy pressure from the Aussies at lineout time translated into the French being unable to boot the ball to the stands.
With time up on the clock, Wallaby debutant Darcy Swain was able to disrupt a French lineout and while halfback Teddy Iribaren was able to get his hands on the ball, his pass backwards found no one and McDermott pounced on the loose ball. With the Wallabies completing phase after phase, they eventually drew the penalty, allowing Lolesio to slot the three for a 23-21 win.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time a fluffed clearance has let the French down in the last 12 months. In the 2020 Six Nations, kicking the ball out prematurely saw England kick a penalty for a losing bonus point that eventually cost France the title.
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Failing to kick the ball out against Scotland in this year’s Six Nations also allowed the Scots to claim a famous victory in Paris – their first in 22 years.
Unsurprisingly social media was alive with fans revelling in the chaos of the final moments, many of whom simply couldn’t fathom how France had thrown away the victory.
This will go in the manual of how not to close out a game..#AUSvFRA pic.twitter.com/91yrQdRGAN
— Steve Lenthall (@steve_l15) July 7, 2021
The more you watch it, the worse it gets. #AUSvFRA pic.twitter.com/3JBmHhhS0A
— James Lauren (@_jameslt) July 7, 2021
Well I for one have missed France being batshit crazy… #AUSvFRA
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) July 7, 2021
Perhaps the most incredible thing is that that is the 2nd time this year that France led at full time, had the ball.. and still managed to lose #AUSVFRA pic.twitter.com/R0T3vLlFoZ
— Philip Bredin (@philbredin) July 7, 2021
How very french that finish was. #AUSvFRA
— Ben Darwin (@bendarwin) July 7, 2021
I just looked up 'Very French' in the dictionary, and there was just a description of that final France lineout, in the 79th minute, against Australia. ? #AUSvFRA #Rugby @distantpod
— Mike Bubbins (@MikeBubbins) July 7, 2021
France winning 21-20, clock goes red, they get a penalty – rather than tap and kick it out – they go for a lineout, lose it, Australia go down the field, kick a pen. 23-21. Absolute scenes. So very France. #AUSvFRA
— Jack D ???? (@JackDunc1) July 7, 2021
Oui #AUSvFRA pic.twitter.com/Dp3qrGsILp
— Graham Love (@glove931) July 7, 2021
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Many Australian fans were also simply pleased that their side had managed to fight their way back from an almost 80-minute deficit – a feat that showed they’re growing as a team.
Finding a way to win tonight is the biggest positive out of that game. Darcy Swain was excellent. Tate too. I enjoyed the Lolesio DG attempt and watching the team set up, aware of the need to ice the game with a kick is encouraging. Something Aust hasn’t done well lately #AUSvFRA
— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) July 7, 2021
That first 30 was absolutely disgraceful.
That last 50 was pure guts. Lot to work on, but when their backs were against the wall, the Wallabies stood up and somehow won. Full credit to them. Long way to go, but a good start.
Also, that new jersey looks outstanding! ? #AUSvFRA— Nick Wasiliev (@Nick_Wasiliev) July 7, 2021
A more gutsy Australian performance you will not see. Well done to this young @Wallabies side – wonderful to see the Wallabies playing with such grit to win….right to the 83rd minute! Also great to see the gold Wallabies jersey return – never ever change it again. #AUSvFRA
— Gray Connolly (@GrayConnolly) July 7, 2021
Really, really happy the @Wallabies found a way – and had the will to keep going – to win that game.
There's so many recent egs where that would've been gold jerseys buggering up that last lineout, but it was gold pressure.
It's a huge win. Now do it again.#AUSvFRA ?????
— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) July 7, 2021
I don't get it. The Wallabies needed a win, and a group of largely young, inexperienced players just delivered one, and some fans are disappointed with it? Sure it was ugly, yes there are plenty of work-ons, but finding a way to win is nothing to complain about #AUSvFRA
— Daniel Jeffrey (@_d_jeffrey) July 7, 2021
Looking for silver linings… three times last year the Wallabies had a chance to snatch victory at the death and failed.
They shifted that narrative tonight.
They won't have earned new fans, but they've given something back to the ones they've always had.#AUSvFRA
— CarrickTalksRugby (@TalksRugby) July 7, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments