The Wallabies were bracing for an awkward return trip to Brisbane on the same flight as a jubilant France as a rollicking series hurtles towards a series decider at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
The Trophée des Bicentenaires – currently held by the Wallabies – is now being eyed closely by Les Bleus as world rugby’s rising force registered their first Test win in Australia since 1990 in Melbourne on Tuesday.
A see-sawing second Test followed an eerily similar path to the first but this time France held their nerve as two cap superboot fullback Melvyn Jaminet showcased the depth of Fabien Galthie’s squad by nailing a clutch penalty for a 28-26 triumph.
Stan Sport is your home for the Wallabies-France series, All Blacks-Fiji Tests and the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa. Start your free trial now!
French flair breaks Wallabies
Jaminet is yet to play a game in the top flight Top 14 competition yet was one of the best players at AAMI Park and kicked seven nerveless penalties on the night.
The two teams flew south on the same flight and were set to do the same on the return trip to Brisbane as Wallabies legend Tim Horan quizzed prop James Slipper on the awkward prospect of witnessing their celebrations up close.
“They can drink as much as they want,” Slipper quipped on Stan Sport.
READ MORE: France stun Wallabies to snap 31 year drought
READ MORE: Wallabies star Cooper denied Australian citizenship
READ MORE: Springboks captain positive amid COVID carnage
Hooper gives Australia hope
“The plan was to win tonight and that didn’t happen.
“A four day turnaround, something we’re not used to but we’ll be ready to go.”
Indeed, four day turnarounds are simply unheard of in the modern game but the complexities of COVID-19 led to a unique, jampacked schedule.
Get your tickets now for the Wallabies Test series decider against France!
Prop and halfback swap jobs
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie rolled the dice by fielding the same 23 players for back to back Tests while rival Fabien Galthie made five changes to his starting forward pack.
“It’s more about the body and the mind now, we’ve done plenty of work,” Rennie said on Stan Sport.
“We’re clear on what we need to do so we’ll recover well, we’ll have a few walk throughs but there won’t be too much in anger. We’ll have to use the squad.
Highlights: Wallabies vs France 2nd Test
“Obviously we didn’t make any changes with the 23 that we played today – backed them to get the job done and the series over.
“But we’re a pretty fit side, we’re confident some of those guys will back up but we’ll utilise guys outside that 23.”
Rennie bemoaned France’s breakdown dominance and some basic errors which have blotted Australia’s copybook in both Tests.
One of the best no tries you’ll see
“But I’ve seen a lot of character in this group and we’re pretty determined so we’ll bounce back on Saturday,” Rennie said.
“We saw plenty tonight. We’ve just got to be more clinical, we’ve got to be a little more patient and build pressure for longer.
“I think we left some points out there at various times when we got down in the ‘A-zone’ so we need to be better there.”
Horan suggested that halfback Tate McDermott and centre Len Ikitau could start the series decider but didn’t like the thought of wholesale changes.
“You can’t give away gold jerseys.”
The Wallabies will name their third Test team on Thursday.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
