Wallabies: ‘It wasn’t for lack of effort… please don’t give up on them’

Joe Schmidt has once again urged fans not to give up on the Wallabies after their 48-33 loss to France in the Quilter Nations Series – the first time the Australians have failed to win a match during a European tour in 67 years.

After coming back from a 22-0 deficit to beat the Springboks 38-22 earlier this year, the Wallabies have since won two of their last 10. Those two wins came against Los Pumas in Townsville and the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo.

Australia started their Spring Tour on a winning note against Japan 19-15, before falling to England by 18. Italy recorded their second-ever win over the Wallabies earlier this month, before the tourists fell to Ireland in a historic defeat 46-19.

Those results set the stage for a decisive season finale away to Les Bleus in Saint-Denis, as the Wallabies looked to avoid unwanted history. It was 19-all at the half-time break, but a lively Wallabies performance wasn’t rewarded with victory in the end,

After calling on fans to keep the faith after the defeats to Italy and then again after the Ireland match, Schmidt addressed supporters directly on Saturday. The Wallabies won five of 15 Tests this year but still believe they’re building towards something special.

“We’re disappointed we didn’t finish with the victory that I know you would’ve all loved to see, but the players have made a heck of an effort,” Schmidt said post-game on Stan Sport.

“15 Tests in 22 weeks, with the amount of travel they’ve had, I just admire the way they have dusted themselves off and gone again.

“It wasn’t for lack of effort tonight, a little bit more execution. They will get better so please don’t give up on them.”

Matt Faessler opened the scoring in the second minute at Stade de France, as the Wallabies looked to build on a strong start, which included some significant line breaks up the field.

Nicolas Depoortere brought the teams level with an effort in the eighth minute, but the lead changed again when Angus Bell ran through a gap to score. France scored the next two before Faessler completed a double deep into the half.

With it all to play for in the second half, Thomas Ramos kicked the home side ahead with an early penalty goal. Depoortere crossed for his second five minutes later, before Max Jorgensen scored a sensational try

Australia trailed by just one point before Tom Hooper was sent to the sin bin. Les Bleus made the most of their one-man advantage, running out to a 15-point lead before the Wallabies struck back through replacement Josh Nasser.

France would extend their advantage just before the full-time whistle, with Maxime Lamothe scoring in the 78^th minute. Ramos added the extras as France brought their international campaign to an end with a clinical win.

“Certainly too good for us on the scoreboard. I felt that we went toe-to-toe with them, particularly in the first half,” Schmidt reflected.

“The second half, we probably created a couple of chances. They got some pressure on our lineout and their lineout maul really started to take control in that last quarter.

“I’m incredibly proud of the group, They’ve continued to work hard and to try to keep improving and I think, I think honestly they’ll learn a lot from these last 15 Test matches. They’ll learn a fair bit about themselves.

“They’ll learn what it takes to be at the level and we’ve just got to roll our sleeves up, keep working and get to the level. That’s all we can do from here.”