Less than two weeks before entering the World Cup, the XV of France crushed Australia on Sunday at the Stade de France (41-17). The Blues sign a third success in four preparation matches, thanks to tries from Jonathan Danty (7th), Damian Penaud (56th, 74th) and Gabin Vilière (63rd). The Wallabies lost for the second time in less than a year in Saint-Denis, despite three tries scored by Mark Nawaqanitawase (13th), Fraser McReight (61st) and Suliasi Vunivalu (78th). Three victories (Scotland, Fiji and Australia) and a defeat (Scotland) for the band in Galthié before the big deadline.
The Blues played their rugby on this Sunday at the end of summer, very slightly rainy against Australia. However, not everything was perfect, at least for the first 40 minutes. The Blues were able to count on the address of Thomas Ramos against the poles (25th, 27th and 37th, 54th) to gradually take off in the score. Conversely, Carter Gordon, the Australian striker, missed many attempts to get his team back in contact (3rd, 35th and a 13th conversion). In the game, the two teams did not lack ambition. But the precision was not always there on one side or the other, which is why the two attacks remained silent after an start to the match where the French struck first with a try from La Rochelle center Jonathan Danty (7-0, 7th), well launched by Antoine Dupont after a touch in the 5m. Answered tac o tac by winger Mark Nawaqanitawase (7-5.13th) a few moments later. But as soon as the locker room returned, everything became a little more fluid despite a first failure by Thomas Ramos on goal (43rd), he who finished at 7/9.
Everything became simpler at 15 against 14. Vunivalu received a yellow card (53rd) for two consecutive faults on the ground in front of Jalibert then Villere, enough to launch the French armada. Damian Penaud took the opportunity to score a try and embellish the superb inspiration of Antoine Dupont who found his winger with a precise foot game (26-5, 57th). But the Australians have as in the first act reduced the gap immediately. Fraser McReight well served by Carter Gordon took the free space full axis to dive between the posts (26-12, 61st).
The exit of Antoine Dupont did not weaken his troops, the entry of Couilloud at the hour of play brought new blood and allowed Gabin Villère this time to finish behind the line, on a beautiful kick, another one, from Mathieu Jalibert (31-12, 63rd). The Wallabies only reacted rather than acted, that’s why the umpteenth response from Vunivalu (38-17, 78th) had no impact on the score after a double from Damian Penaud as a soloist (38-12, 75th ) to register his 29th try in Blue. Melvyn Jaminet, who had replaced Thomas Ramos, passed the last three points after a kick in the sky from Saint-Denis between the poles, enough to pass the 40-point mark (41-17, 80th).
The next step will be big for the Blues who have an appointment with the World Cup and more precisely with an injured animal. The All Blacks will be opposite for the opening of the festivities on September 8th. New Zealanders defeated by South Africa last Friday heavily, 35-7 at Twickenham.
