Bernard Foley scored 15 points in the Wallabies' 25-23 win over France in Paris on Saturday.
The Wallabies remain unbeaten on their northern hemisphere tour. After hammering Wales in Cardiff and edging Scotland in Edinburgh, they have claimed a narrow win over France in Paris.
France powered to an 8-0 lead after a try by winger Virimi Vakatawa and a penalty goal by scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud. The game changed, however, after the Wallabies were awarded a penalty try in the 24th minute, and France flanker Charles Ollivon was sent to the sin bin for cynical play.
Foley, who was pushed into the starting side after Quade Cooper was ruled out, kicked a conversion and a penalty to steer his side into a 13-11 lead at half-time. After the break, the Wallabies flyhalf scored a try and added the extras to help his side take control of the game.
France flyhalf Jean-Marc Doussain gave the hosts some hope when he scored a try in the left-hand corner. This five-pointer was cancelled out, however, when centre Tevita Kuridrani finished acrobatically to restore the visitors' nine-point lead.
France kept on coming at the Wallabies. Wesley Fofana rounded off a sweeping attacking movement, and the conversion by Machenaud saw the deficit reduced to two points with 10 minutes remaining.
The hosts had an opportunity to win the game at the death when they camped deep in opposition territory. The ball flew to replacement flyhalf Camille Lopez, who attempted a drop goal. Unfortunately for France, the shot drifted wide. The final whistle sounded, and the Wallabies escaped with a win.
France – Tries: Virimi Vakatawa, Jean-Marc Doussain, Wesley Fofana. Conversion: Maxime Machenaud. Penalties: Machenaud (2).
Wallabies – Tries: Penalty try, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani. Conversions: Foley (2). Penalties: Foley (2).
France – 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Noa Nakaitaci, 13 Rémi Lamerat, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Jean-Marc Doussain, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Kévin Gourdon, 6 Charles Ollivon, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Sébastian Vahaamahina, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Guilhelm Guirado (c), 1 Cyril Baille.
Subs: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Julien Le Devedec, 20 Damien Chouly, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Camille Lopez, 23 Gaël Fickou.
Wallabies – 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Sefanaia Naivalu, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Dean Mumm, 21 Lopeti Timani, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Photo: Franck Fife/AFP
