Wallabies showed difference between being competitive and winning
The Wallabies say they want to leave a mark on Australian rugby for future generations. They may not do it with the quality of their play, but if their 23-21 win against France was any indication they may well achieve it with their fighting spirit.
Australia came from behind to beat France in the first of three Tests at their fortress at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday night, not taking the leading until five-eighth Noah Lolesio kicked a penalty goal in the 83rd minute.
It was an ugly win, marred by errors, but the Wallabies never gave up even when all looked lost, albeit after the French ran out of steam. Sure, it was a second-string French side, but they had claimed their depth was so great they could have sent out three teams that would be competitive with the Wallabies.
Turns out there is a big difference between being competitive and winning, and that was arguably the most important lesson the Wallabies took out of their first outing for the year. In the past, the Wallabies would have been competitive but still lost that game.
They trailed 15-7 at halftime following an all-too-typical self-destructive performance in the first 20 minutes of the match.
The multiplicity of simple, unforced errors undermined anything the Wallabies attempted to achieve. The Wallabies showed their hand early to go wide and play up tempo, but lacked the skills to match their ambition.
Perhaps it was understandable with so many new combinations in the Wallabies line-up, particularly in the backs, but so many of the mistakes were just basic errors. They invited France into the game and the visitors took almost every opportunity presented to them.
An error at scrum-time that led to France’s first try to winger Gabin Villiere in the fifth minute. The French won a tight-head and took the ball deep into Australia’s quarter where they executed precision passing, including a long ball from inside-centre Jonathan Danty to Villiere.
The difference in skill execution between the two teams in the first half was highlighted by one French try and one disallowed Wallabies try.
The Wallabies had a scrum-feed 20m from the French line. Tom Wright came off the blind wing and took the ball across the advantage line. From the ensuing ruck halfback Jake Gordon sent outside-centre Hunter Paisami charging to the try-line, but it was called back for a forward pass.
Compare that to France’s second try, also scored by Villiere, in the 21st minute. Villiere’s second try also originated from a rehearsed scrum move from 36 metres out. From the base, No 8 Sekou Macalou passed to halfback Baptiste Couilloud who linked with Danty, who this time gave Villiere a subtle inside ball, launching him to the try line.
Even five-eighth Louis Carbonel’s penalty goal in the 18th minute came indirectly from the Wallabies backs
fumbling the ball. No 8 Harry Wilson picked it up off the ground, charged into the defence, and was penalised for not releasing.
With France unexpectedly leading 15-0 the scoreboard pressure was all on the Wallabies, who desperately needed a try before halftime to stay in the game.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper passed up four opportunities to kick a penalty goal, opting for five-metre lineouts, eventually rewarded by a try to hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa from a rolling maul, showing the influence of new forwards coach Dan McKellar.
It looked as if the Wallabies were getting on top in the physical battle, but they could not add to their score in the remainder of the half. Nevertheless, the Wallabies were back in the game, which seemed to influence Hooper’s thinking about accumulating points.
Lolesio traded penalty goals with Carbonel and French fullback Melvyn Jaminet, who landed a long-range shot in the 60th minute to maintain France’s eight-point buffer at 21-13.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie showed a lot of faith in the Wallabies’ bench, which included four uncapped players, towards the end of the game, sending on Tate McDermott, Angus Bell, Lachie Lonergan, Darcy Swain, Andrew Kellaway, Isi Naisarani and Taniela Tupou.
Hooper got the Wallabies within one point when he backed his way over the line in a reverse pick and go from one metre out in the 70th minute.
Lolesio missed a shot at field goal in the 76th minute. Then, it looked as if the Wallabies had just one last chance to win the game in the 79th minute when they had a throw-in to a line-out 40 metres out from the French line.
The ball went from McDermott to Lolesio to Naisararni, who was tackled and penalised for not releasing the ball. All the French had to do was kick for touch, win the lineout and kick the ball out, but their backs panicked and the ball went to ground, pounced on by McDermott.
The Wallabies attacked the French line with a series of pick and goes, drawing a penalty from the French. Playing advantage, Lolesio had another crack at a field goal, but it was charged down. No matter as he then coolly landed a penalty goal from in front to give the Wallabies victory.
The Wallabies will be buoyed by their win, but they will also know there is work to do before the second Test in Melbourne next Tuesday night.
The Wallabies will be buoyed by their win, but they will also know there is work to do before the second Test