Nations Championship round two
Australia (21) 26
Tries: Paenga-Amosa, McReight 2, Williams Cons: Lonergan 3
France (12) 42
Tries: Meafou, Grandidier Nkanang 2, Ntamack, Verhaeghe, Attisogbe Cons: Lucu 3 Pens: Lucu 2
Aaron Grandidier Nkanang scored two tries on his debut as France fought back to beat Australia in Brisbane and condemn Joe Schmidt’s side to a sixth successive defeat.
Having fallen to a dramatic late loss to Ireland in Sydney, the Wallabies led 21-12 at the break thanks to the outstanding Fraser McReight, who touched down twice after France’s opening try scorer Emmanuel Meafou was yellow carded.
But London-born Grandidier Nkanang, Romain Ntamack, Florian Verhaeghe and Theo Attissogbe all scored in the second half as France hit 32 points without reply to secure a fourth consecutive win over Australia.
Jeremy Williams’ late score clinched a try bonus point for Australia, who face Italy next week in Schmidt’s final game in charge before Les Kiss takes over.
France, who bounced back from last week’s loss to the All Blacks, take on Japan.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen; Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau; Dylan Pietsch; Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Canham, Jeremy Williams; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson.
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Champion de Despigny, Tate McDermott, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu.
France: Matthieu Jalibert; Theo Attissogbe; Fabien Brau-Boirie, Yoram Moefana; Aaron Grandidier Nkanang; Romain Ntamak, Maxime Lucu; Moses Alo-Emile, Peato Mauvaka, Demba Bamba, Florian Veraeghe, Emmanuel Meafou, Lenni Nouchi, Oscar Jegou, Marko Gazzotti.
Replacements: Maxime Lamothe, Jefferson Poirot, Tevita Tatafu, Hugo Auradou, Tom Staniforth, Killian Tixeront, Nolann le Garrec, Kalvin Gourgues.
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
