A final test-match without false note. The Blues largely won against Australia (41-17) for the last match before the World Cup, played at home. The team did not suffer any injuries during this match. Twelve days before its entry into the matter against New Zealand, France was therefore rather reassured.
After a defeat in Scotland (25-21) then two victories against the XV of Chardon (30-27) and Fiji (34-17), the Blues passed four tries, by the center Jonathan Danty (7th) as well as the wingers Damian Penaud (57th, 74th) and Gabin Villière (63rd), to the Wallabies at the Stade de France in this fourth and final preparation match for the World Cup (September 8-October 28).
They even came close to the biggest French success against Australia, which dated back to 1976 and a 34-6 success in Paris. Better, they are especially avoided the last minute sores, as during the match in Saint-Etienne, mid-August, where they lost the opener Romain Ntamack (cruciate ligament) for all the competition and the pillar Cyril Baille (calf) for the first three matches.
Finally, Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert were able to answer the doubts concerning their duo in the hinge. Associated with the kick-off for the eighth time, the first since a victory against Georgia (41-15) in November 2021, the Toulouse scrum-half and the Bordeaux-Bègles opener did their job as the hub of the French game. Failing to really shine, apart from this sublime perforation, launched by Dupont, continued by Jalibert, ended with a yellow card for the Australian winger Suliasi Vunivalu (52nd) and sanctioned by Penaud’s test a few minutes later.
The new hinge of the XV of France thus delivered decisive passes on three of the tries of Danty (Dupont), Penaud (Dupont) and Villière (Jalibert). But, if the substance is there, it was sometimes necessary to conceal the form. Especially in the first period, where the Blues were often rough, even downright clumsy. Less than two weeks before the start of the World Cup, on September 8 against the All Blacks, all is not perfect. Far from there.
Fabien Galthié and his staff will certainly not have appreciated the first Australian try, with a hazardous climb from the back Thomas Ramos, who opened the door wide to winger Mark Nawaqanitawase (13th). The two lost touches (out of 17) will also leave a bitter aftertaste in the tricolor frame, like the twelve penalties conceded. Gabin Villière thus alternated the good offensively, with his seventh try in Blue, and the worst defensively, with in particular two lost balls.
Fortunately, there are also good things to remember in this recovery match for the executives: Damian Penaud scored his 28th international try while Thomas Ramos was able to be effective on foot (85% success at 6 out of 7, including four penalties). The third line of combat, carried by a still essential Grégory Alldritt and a gala François Cros (18 tackles), responded present. Just like the left pillar Jean-Baptiste Gros (8 tackles) and the center Gaël Fickou.
The entry of the finishers, from the 48th minute, also brought a little freshness, in particular the hooker Peato Mauvaka or the second line Romain Taofifenua. The XV of France also took advantage of the failures of the Wallabies opener Carter Gordon (two penalties and a failed conversion).
The Australians, who have not won for five matches, will have a lot to do in Pool C, with Georgia, Portugal, Fiji and Wales. Les Bleus will launch the World Cup against the All Blacks before facing Namibia and finally Italy. It will then be time to think about the quarter-finals and a terrible shock against South Africa, reigning world champion, or Ireland, world No.1. Even Scotland, the team that has beaten Les Bleus de Galthié the most. The countdown begins.
