WALLABIES FALL TO FRANCE IN A NARROW LOSS AT AAMI PARK

Jul 13 • Australia, General News, International, National • 905 Views • Comments Off on WALLABIES FALL TO FRANCE IN A NARROW LOSS AT AAMI PARK

The Wallabies have fallen to France in another epic encounter at AAMI Park in Melbourne, setting up for a winner-takes-all final at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday.

In front of a capacity crowd, it was a battle of the boot with Noah Lolesio and Melvyn Jaminet going head-to-head as penalties dominated the match.

France opened the scoring in the early stages of the game, leading with the boot of Jaminet before Lolesio took to the scorecard to set up the match.

Damian Penaud was the first to breach the Wallabies defence to score the game’s opening try, before the battle of the boot returned.

The Wallabies trailed moments before halftime until Taniela Tupou set up Jake Gordon in the corner to score Australia’s first try of the match, and reducing the margin to just two points at the break.

Lolesio continued the Wallabies scoring run, opening up the second half with another penalty before the boot of Jaminet increased France’s lead.

A Michael Hooper try in the 70th minute brought margin back again before Lolesio stepped up to kick a penalty and put Australia in front with just three minutes left to play.

The game seemed destined for a Wallabies victory before a penalty in front of the posts for France saw Jaminet continue his perfect form, and kick his seventh penalty of the night to force a decider this Saturday in the best of three-test Series.

The Wallabies will now head back to Suncorp Stadium on July 17 for the third and final eToro Test as they look to retain Trophée des Bicentenaires. Tickets on sale via Ticketek.

SCORE
Wallabies 26 (Gordon and Hooper tries, Lolesio 2 cons, Lolesio 4 pens) France 28 (Penaud try, Jaminet 1con, Jaminet 7pens)

Wallabies (1-15): James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Matt Philip, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (c), Harry Wilson, Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Matt To’omua, Hunter Paisami, Tom Wright, Tom Banks

Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Isi Naisarani, Tate McDermott, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway

Wallabies substitutions: 50 mins – Alaalatoa for Tupou, 55 mins –Kellaway for Wright, 55 mins – McDermott for Gordon, 62 mins – Bell for Slipper, 62 mins – Naisarani for Wilson, 62 mins Swain for Philip, 66min – Lonergan for Paenga-Amosa, 67 min – Ikitau for To’omua

France (1-15): Jean-Baptiste Gros, Gaetan Barlot, Wilfrid Hounkpatin, Pierre-Henri Azagoh, Cyril Cazeaux, Ibrahim Diallo, Cameron Woki, Anthony Jelonch (c), Baptiste Couilloud, Louis Carbonel, Gabin Villiere, Jonathan Danty, Arthur Vincent, Damian Penaud, Melvyn Jaminet

Reserves: Anthony Etrillard, Enzo Forletta, Demba Bamba, Killian Geraci, Romain Taofifenua, Sekou Macalou, Teddy Iribaren, Anthony Bouthier