France Player Ratings v Australia
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France Player Ratings v Australia
Noah Lolesio nailed a late penalty goal attempt to seal the 23-21 victory for the Wallabies.
France led virtually from start to finish and were seconds away from a famous victory but in a crazy finish, the Wallabies grasped the win after a mishap from a French lineout.
The Test series now moves to Melbourne with Australia taking a 1-0 lead.
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Here is how we rate Fabien Galthie's charges.
1. Jean-Baptise Gros - 6
Busy defensively while he got through a ton of work at the breakdown. He was able to get the better of Allan Alaalatoa once or twice at scrum time in what was a great head to head battle.
2. Gaetan Barlot - 6
Struggled at lineout time as he threw his first dart in test rugby skew and didn't get too much better throughout the game. He and his fellow front-rowers caused the Wallabies issues in the scrums but his biggest impact was with ball in hand.
3. Demba Bamba - 6.5
He and James Slipper traded blows at scrum time in a relatively even head to head battle. He made a big impact on attack with his barnstorming carries paired with a some nice offloads, one of which in the build-up to Villiere's first try.
4. Killian Geraci - 6
A big defensive effort from the second-rower and won a turnover. Made good metres on attack. A strong hour.
5. Romain Taofifenua - 5.5
His physicality was evident for 50 minutes. Cleared out rucks well.
6. Dylan Cretin - 6.5
Cruised around the pitch clearing out rucks with great accuracy. Less impactful on defence than his usual high standard and carried strongly.
7. Anthony Jelonch - 7.5
Completed a super offload for the first try of the game. Tireless throughout the game with his chop tackles and hard carries into the Wallabies' defnece. A good option at the lineout too.
8. Sekou Macalou - 5
Not quite the impact he would have liked to have made. Few opportunities on attack and missed one of his four tackles. Replaced by Woki after 54 minutes.
9. Baptise Couilloud - 8
Not quite Antoine Dupont but Couilloud impressed against the Wallabies as he provided the French with quick attacking ball and kicked excellently too.
He offloaded nicely on two occasions one of which leading to the first try for Villiere.
10. Louis Carbonel - 7
Hit the gain line hard and controlled France's attack well. Missed his first shot at goal but his kicking out of hand was good.
11. Gabin Villiere - 8
Took his first two chances to score well, stepped inside to stroll through for his first and sliced through the defence from 35 metres out to speed through under the sticks. A real threat over the ball and defended brilliantly.
12. Jonathan Danty - 8
A strong first half as he defended strongly topping the tackle count in the first 40. He also sent Villiere through with a well-timed passed. Made a crucial turnover that should have won the game for France. He was brilliant at the breakdown throughout the game and defended superbly.
13. Arthur Vincent - 6
Defensively sound, as per usual. Made good metres whenever he got the ball and made life difficult for Paisami.
14. Damian Penaud - 5
Solid defensively but simply did not see enough ball to cause any problems for the Wallabies.
15. Melvyn Jaminet - 6
A mixed bag for his test debut as he was solid under the high ball and slotted a long-range kick to put the French up by 8. However, a kick out on the full and a pass in the direction of Damian Penaud cost France the game in the end.
Reserves:
Anthony Etrillard - 6: Fixed the lineout struggles and weighed in defensively.
Quentin Walcker - 4: Got taken apart in the scrum by Tupou
Sipili Falatea - 5: Struggled in the scrum but busy around the park
Baptiste Pesenti - 6
Cyril Cazeaux - 7: Big defensive effort and lineout presence
Cameron Woki - 6
Teddy Iribaren - 5
Anthony Bouthier - did not get on.
