Australia top France to clinch 3-Test series
BRISBANE, Australia, July 18, (AP): Australia played with 14 men for most of the match but sensationally overcame France with a late penalty goal for a 33-30 win to clinch the threematch test series.
With less than two minutes remaining in the series decider, flyhalf Noah Lolesio slotted the crucial three points to give Australia the win. Lolesio accounted for 23 of the Wallabies’ points with a try, three conversions and four penalty goals.
The Wallabies had played almost the entire match with just 14 players after winger Marika Koroibete was handed a contentious red card for a high tackle five minutes into the match.
Koroibete was red-carded for his tackle on French captain Anthony Jelonch. New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe and his assistants deliberated for several minutes before determining Koroibete had raced in from a distance and contacted him high without any mitigating factors.
The French raced ahead 10-0 but the Wallabies fought back to lead before Lolesio kicked the hosts clear with 90 seconds to play.
The win was Australia’s ninth in a row at the stadium dating to 2016 and capped a tight series that had featured two-point wins to both sides in a three-match series compressed over 11 days.
Australia coach Dave Rennie was full of praise for the resolve and determination of his team after losing both wingers inside the first five minutes of the match, with Filipo Daugunu injuring his arm in a tackle inside the first 90 seconds before Koroibete’s contentious red card.
In Cape Town, South Africa, The British and Irish Lions rounded off the warmup part of their tour of South Africa with a resounding 49-3 win over the Stormers.
There were a bunch of positives for the Lions
RUGBY
on top of the seven-try victory a week out from the first test against the Springboks at the same Cape Town Stadium: Lock Alun Wyn Jones came off the bench to play the last 25 minutes and confirm his return from a dislocated shoulder that initially ruled the Lions captain out of the tour completely.
The forwards were rampant, contributing six of the tries. Marcus Smith provided a thorough display at No. 10 after being a late callup to the squad as injury cover.
Wing Duhan van der Merwe broke tackles and made ground all night, including a burst down the touchline that sent the Lions on their way to their first try. And there were solid returns to action for center Robbie Henshaw and fullback Stuart Hogg.
In Cardiff, Wales, Argentina warmed up for the Rugby Championship by beating Wales’ second string 33-11 and completing an undefeated tour of Europe.