Foley breaks French defence0:40
Wallabies: Bernard Foley makes the most of his late call-up to the Australian side that faced France, bagging a try in the second half
PARIS, FRANCE — NOVEMBER 19: Bernard Foley of Australia celebrates after scoring his side's second try with David Pocock (r) and Scott Fardy of Australia during the international match between France and Australia at Stade de France on November 19, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
THE fighting qualities and depth of the Wallabies deserve top marks for this 25-23 win over the French in Paris. Stade de France is a notoriously hard place to win at any time and the Wallabies did it with nine top players being rested.
That’s a huge vote for the makeover in depth that coach Michael Cheika was worked on with 13 Test debutants this year.
Top marks to hooker Tolu Latu and winger Sefa Naivalu among the new boys and a mighty Test from stand-in captain David Pocock.
LUKE MORAHAN 7
Excellent input from the fullback who has been craving a starting chance all season. Showed how his extra work on strength has paid off because he broke the first tackle each time he got a sniff of a chance in space. Made 20m early when he hit a pass from Bernard Foley and more metres on a switch early in the second half when a pass to Sefa Naivalu almost produced a try.
SEFA NAIVALU 7
Has jumped way ahead of Henry Speight on the pecking order of wingers because he has explosive pace and power.
Bernard Foley of Australia celebrates after scoring his side's second try with David PocockSource:Getty Images
Made a superb covering tackle to shut down the dangerous French and made an even better tackle in the final 10 minutes on danger man Wesley Fofana to stall a tricky situation. Would love to see him with a 50m dash into open space because no one would catch him.
TEVITA KURIDRANI 7.5
For the second week in a row, the big centre made the difference with his marvellous telescopic arm. Brilliant presence of mind and sense for the tryline when he dotted down with his whole body airborne over the sideline. Has really taken on the Cheika challenge since chastening time when benched behind Samu Kerevi.
KYLE GODWIN 6.5
Understated, unselfish team game in his debut at inside centre. Shifted the ball on nicely and skills were spot on in that regard. One shuffle of the feet for a little gain of ground when running. Not the big body to plough ahead for metres that other Test No. 12s offer. Still, a very solid Test initiation and his left boot packed some punch with one kick.
HENRY SPEIGHT 6
Good intent when running but can’t break line or tackles like he used to. Makes careless little mistakes, off load into touch and having the ball stripped. Won’t be in Australia’s top 15 moving forward.
BERNARD FOLEY 8
The general made his late call-up for the injured Quade Cooper count. So important to have his hand on the steering wheel with so many newer faces starting. Excellent 40m kick to touch to set up lineout drive for penalty try in first half. Methodical patterns because two inside balls got the momentum rolling in excellent long, lead-up to his own try when he ran a smart angle off a Will Genia short ball. One kick from a penalty which didn’t find touch was his one blemish.
WILL GENIA 8
Another fine Test. Good options throughout. His quick tap set the play rolling for the Foley try and his dart from the ruckbase opened up the French in the lead up to the decisive Kuridrani try. Big plays in the big moments.
SEAN McMAHON 7
Took until the 28th-minute to make his first significant impact and played a super 40 minutes from that point. Ran strongly, forced a breakdown penalty and added physical presence when needed.
DAVID POCOCK 8.5
Immense game. We know who is leading the John Eales Medal votes after three Tests of the new voting period. Won an early turnover to show what sort of night he was in for. Brilliant over the ball as always but offered far more at No.7. At the 72-minute mark, the captain made the great tackle in centrefield that caused fullback Scott Spedding to lose the ball when a try was on. The Wallabies won 12 turnovers to six as one of the key stats.
SCOTT FARDY 7
A typical Fardy game, understated but so much work as the glue to many good forward moments. Fardy and Pocock combined for a key turnover midway through the second half when the French were attacking.
ROB SIMMONS 7
Strong game from the experienced lock and with five minutes to play he made a very important tackle when the French were storming ahead. Clear, smart guidance of a very good lineout effort.
KANE DOUGLAS 7
Came into his own in the second half with a few strong charges and the workrate to take on the willing French pack. Good showing.
ALLAN ALAALATOA 6.5
The rookie prop was impressive again with his workrate. Willing ball-carrier but the Wallabies scrum was never that stable.
TOLU LATU 7.5
Silenced plenty of doubters who wondered about his credentials as a Test hooker. Powerful charges, high workrate and best of all his lineout throwing was spot on. He nailed the long throw to the back of the lineout that set up Australia’s mauling drive to the line midway through the first half. He steered the maul and plunged for the line as the move was whistled as a penalty try.
JAMES SLIPPER 6.5
Had some trouble on his side of the scrum against a top French pack in his 63 minutes on the park. Good work ethic with his gallops, expertise and a lovely pass to Latu.
REPLACEMENTS
SCOTT SIO
The French scrum was one of their strengths and he had a battle there over the final 17 minutes.
STEPHEN MOORE
Strong cameo from the veteran hooker. Good lineout throws, a little run off a maul and a big, big tackle in the closing minutes out wide on centre Wesley Fofana. The French scrum was so wound up he couldn’t even strike for the ball when Les Bleus stole a late tight-head. He charged at the French field goal sniper on fulltime and whipped out a fist pump when the attempt flew wide.
DEAN MUMM
Lineout win and solid closing minutes.
TOM ROBERTSON
The French blew the Wallabies off the ball for a big tight-head scrum with two minutes to play. The scrum doctor suddenly knew what big Test match rugby was all about.
His rookie year won’t get any tougher than another scrum set on fulltime in French penalty goal range with the game in the balance.
The front-rows caved to the turf but the ref kept his whistle quiet and that was it. Phew.
WILL SKELTON
Redeemed himself a little after his awful moments against Scotland. Bumped off one defender with his first run or as the commentator said “swats him away like a French fly.” Three little ball-carries in a hurry.
NICK PHIPPS
Three minutes at the end.
Originally published as Wallabies v France: Player ratings
