The Sports Corner

Wallabies prevail in close French encounter

The Wallabies kept their European tour unbeaten streak alive with a hard fought 18-13 win over France in Paris.

The win was the Wallabies first against the French at home since 2000. But despite the prevailing scoreline the Wallabies were incredibly fortunate to come away with the win.

In what was a tight game fought largely in the forwards, a poor goalkicking outing by Frenchman David Skrela cost them the game. With France unable to cross the Australian line for all but a penalty try, Skrela missed five penalty kicks and a field goal attempt which would have seen France win comfortably.

Too many times the French resolved to put the ball high off the boot, hoping that some of the Wallabies’ struggles under the high ball would create turnovers and openings for their attack.

However, the Wallabies were up to the challenge and despite repeated efforts by the French to raid the three quarter line were unable to find that crucial try. The French were awarded a penalty try by South African referee Craig Joubert after the Wallaby scrum was pushed back for a second time and collapsed on the try line.

It comes as no surprise, as the referees in recent international matches have been more than willing to give penalty tries in goal line situations.

Matt Giteau put in another man of the match performance, his general kicking and play calling the difference over a French team which appeared unorganised or grasping for two or three key plays over and over again. Giteau’s superior kicking for touch guided the Wallaby pack around the field and laid the platform for two tries, one to winger Peter Hynes and one to hooker Stephen Moore, who was again impressive against a vaunted French pack. Giteau also kicked two penalties and a conversion to steer the Australians home.

France coach Marc Lievremont was disappointed with his team.

“The players have shown in the last three weeks that they know how to play their game but they didn’t show it in this match,” he said. “It’s a big disappointment. We have the potential to rival the best teams in the world but we didn’t do it tonight.”

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans played down French media questions that the Wallabies were lucky in coming away with the win.

“It was not a miracle, it was just a rugby game and sometimes it’s just like that,” Deans said. “I think our discipline was good but there were a lot of penalties. Maybe, next time we’ll adjust to the referee.

Skrela’s poor performance before the uprights was topped off in the 75th minute when he was sent off for a high tackle on Wallaby reserve winger Digby Ioane. The yellow card sapped the last of the fight out of the French as Giteau slotted the resulting penalty goal to take Australia five points ahead.

Australia will play Wales in Cardiff next weekend.