Australia V France

Wallabies plump for new halves combination for France Test Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio named to start in Brisbane. Australia to play France three times in 11 days

Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio will form a new Wallabies halves combination for the opening Test against France in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Gordon overcame a knee injury to win the battle with Tate McDermott to wear the vacant halfback jersey at Suncorp Stadium with regular starter Nic White sidelined.

With James O’Connor also injured, Brumbies young gun Lolesio gets his second start after making his Test debut at five-eighth last year against the All Blacks in an unhappy outing with the Wallabies pummelled 43-5.

Wallabies must heed Rennie’s call for ruthlessness in France Tests
While Queenslander McDermott impressed on home turf during the Super Rugby AU season, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie instead opted for the mature head of Gordon, who will turn 28 on game eve.
The NSW Waratahs captain injured his knee in the penultimate game of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, putting him in severe doubt for the three-Test France series. But the injury healed in time for him to earn his second Test start and sixth overall, after being in the XV to face Italy in Padua on Australia’s spring tour in 2018.

Veteran Matt Toomua will line up alongside 21-year-old Lolesio after recovering from a neck injury, joining Hunter Paisami in the centres. The front row sees Brumbies teammates James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa as the starting props, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa named at hooker.

Lock Matt Philip returns to the gold jersey after his stint playing in France and will partner Lukhan Salakaia-Loto while Brumbies bruiser Rob Valetini gets his first Test start at blindside flanker. Skipper Michael Hooper and No 8 Harry Wilson complete the backrow.

Rennie has named four potential Wallabies debutants on the bench in three Brumbies – hooker Lachlan Lonergan, lock Darcy Swain and centre Len Ikitau – and utility Rebels back Andrew Kellaway. Kellaway, 25, is the biggest surprise after only returning to Melbourne from Japan at the start of the trans-Tasman competition.

Rennie said the team had prepared well for the France series, which will be completed in just 11 days with the second Test in Melbourne on 13 July before the final Test in Brisbane again on 17 July.

“The whole squad has been training really hard over the past three weeks to prepare for what’s going to be an exciting, tough series against the French,” Rennie said. “We’ve always selected a side based on earning the right to wear the jersey and this team is no different.”

Wallabies: Tom Banks, Tom Wright, Hunter Paisami, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (captain), Rob Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. Res: Lachlan Lonergan, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Isi Naisarani, Tate McDermott, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway.

France
Newly promoted fullback Melvyn Jaminet is among seven uncapped players named by France head coach Fabien Galthie on Saturday to face Australia. Jaminet, 22, played an integral role in guiding Perpignan to promotion to the Top 14. Castres hooker Gaetan Barlot will also make his debut for Les Bleus on Wednesday in a team missing a host of first-choice players who played in last week's Top 14 final and would not have had time to complete Covid-19 quarantine after entering Australia.
Winger Damian Penaud, centre Arthur Vincent and stand-in captain Anthony Jelonch are amongst those from the last round of the Six Nations, a loss to Scotland in March. On the bench, forwards Anthony Etrillard, Quentin Walcker, Sipili Falatea and Florent Vanverberghe, as well as 30-year-old scrum-half Teddy Iribaren are poised to make their first international appearances.

“The players have everything to gain," French coach Fabien Galthié said.

"It is the opportunity for many to assert themselves, to reveal themselves, and to take a place in the XV of France two and a half years before the World Cup."

The 2023 Rugby World Cup hosts will complete the three-Test series against the Wallabies on July 13 and 17.

Next week's first Test was moved to Brisbane after Sydney was put into a two-week lockdown to contain an outbreak of the Covid-19 Delta variant.

FRANCE TEAM TO PLAY THE WALLABIES
FRANCE (15-1): Melvyn Jaminet; Damian Penaud, Arthur Vincent, Jonathan Danty, Gabin Villiere; Louis Carbonel, Baptiste Couilloud; Sekou Macalou, Anthony Jelonch (capt), Dylan Cretin; Romain Taofifenua, Killian Geraci; Demba Bamba, Gaetan Barlot, Jean-Baptiste Gros

Reserves: Anthony Etrillard, Quentin Walcker, Sipili Falatea, Florent Vanverberghe, Baptiste Pesenti, Cameron Woki, Teddy Iribaren, Anthony Bouthier

Be interesting to see how the Wallabies fare after another SR bashing by their NZ counterparts? An inexperienced French side full of talent. Makes for an interesting encounter.

Yeah the talent coming through the french ranks it pretty impressive now.

They'll be genuine contenders in 2 years time.

Aussies usually put out a good 23, With this being from what I understand a young French team, I think the Aussies will perform better than expected. I also think Dave Rennie will get more out of them.

France will test their endurance while also test the defence s France now run the ball well off script. Australia have poor teams but good internationals so once they have their top two in each position they will be fine.

Both these teams will be building off the back of good underage work. If it wasn't for the double winning French side we would be talking up Australian results. In 2012 at the u20s they finished 8th and struggled since then until 2019 when they finished 2nd. No surprise their team struggled with what was coming through.

I think France will win but think Oz will get stronger possibly taking the last game. Rennie will also be able to try out some ideas and see how it goes.

Interested to see how the set piece goes for Oz. If it's off it will be a very long day.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yeah the talent coming through the french ranks it pretty impressive now.

They'll be genuine contenders in 2 years time.

The state they're in currently they could be contenders. They could be frighteningly strong in two years time and on home soil. The ANC game limits and the non-selection of final players for this tour is having the unintended outcome of helping them develop a lot of depth as more players come in and look good. More time for Edwards to improve that discipline will only help them step up as well.

They've struggled for years at 10 but now with Ntamack, Jalibert and Carbonnel they've got three players who if they'd come through on their own 10 years ago they'd have been likely accumulate at least 50 caps probably a lot more. Scrum half is a similar situation though Dupont is out in front there.

As an aside who isn't wondering if they can't organise a bit of a lads trip to France to take in the fine consumables and watch the rugby?

Australia have been throwing everything at France so far, who are just absorbing it and taking their opportunities very well. Aus 0 - 15 France. Les Bleus seem to have another Bastareaud at 12?

France should win, so far so good for them.

Frnch counter has been excellent so far

mikey_dragon wrote:Australia have been throwing everything at France so far, who are just absorbing it and taking their opportunities very well. Aus 0 - 15 France. Les Bleus seem to have another Bastareaud at 12?

28 year old Jonathan Danty. 1.81m/110kg so a big lump but looks more mobile than the flying prop.

From wiki (translated)
Jonathan Danty is often compared to Mathieu Bastareaud in his early days for his power and his qualities as a wall-piercing. But he can also evolve his game to be comfortable in a rugby of passes and movement, thanks to a good speed in particular

Danty been around a while then, but this is my first time seeing him.

mikey_dragon wrote:Danty been around a while then, but this is my first time seeing him.

Sounds like he's been around the squad for a few years but has not got established. 6 caps since 2016.

France seem to be winning the breakdown, and do not play with a fetcher at open-side. Ireland don't play with one either. I've noticed that when Wales play these two teams we don't win as many turnovers, and we're the land of open-side fetchers.

Hes no Johnny Wilkinson

Hooper's try looked illegal. thought your feet had to be behind the ball (maybe even the ruck?) when you pick it up. Nothing mentioned on commentary.

yeah, I thought so too, Hooper were creeping his body offsides whilst holding onto the ball in the ruck.

France can count themselves unlucky, they thew that game away.

The penalty count was heavily against them, not sure all those penalties were deserved.

Ultimately france threw the game and Uassies can count themselves very fortunate.

French will have to work on their scrum, Slipper technically outthought Bmeba bamba

Well it wasn't a game of overly high quality but plenty excitement in the end! That's two games in a row that France just had to kick the ball out to win. Credit to the French though - I hadn't heard of most those players and they only got out of quarantine last week.

Australia weren't great - the first 30 minutes they looked like they'd just met up in the carpark beforehand. Defence in particular was dreadful. Was also hard to see what they were planning on doing and were relying on individuals to do something. They're a young team too though and credit that they found a way to win.

Only France can throw games away like that

Dan Leo not impressed with the refereeing of Hooper's try.

https://twitter.com/danleo82/status/1412738342194532355

I watched this game and France were properly screwed over, the last 10mins were farcical.

Will have to catch up on the game later but glad to see Aus taking down France! Very positive signs

Will have to catch up on the game later but glad to see Aus taking down France! Very positive signs

Round 2 tonight. Wonder try from Koribete ruled out due to a knock on much earlier which is a shame

Australia looking a lot better tonight but just not finishing things off.

Australia playing like the early Townsend days of Scotland - all out attack and a bit mad!

France are bossing this.

LordDowlais wrote:France are bossing this.

.i wouldn't say bossing. Australia have had a lot of possession but have lacked final execution. They're also getting isolated with a bit of over exuberance which is leading to turnovers.

France had one opportunity and took it - classic sucker punch.

France are playing better test match rugby though - Australia a bit too loose.

Better from Australia after pounding the French line. A deserved try!

Great game this.

It is a good game.

Aussies are trying to play too fast, their skills aren’t keeping up with their intentions

Old Man wrote:Aussies are trying to play too fast, their skills aren’t keeping up with their intentions

Yep - some poor decisions too particularly from Wright and Banks. You can tell the team is full of talented but inexperienced players at this level.

Hooper one hand on the ground whilst trying to steal the ball with the other, how is that not a penalty to
france?

Tom Wright has had a terrible game

Yeah he seems overawed.

Feck me French 20 is a giant!

3 points and no yellow is a good result for Aus there. Great defence.

French getting a bit one dimensional with their drives

What a chase and tackle from Hooper

France playing good test match rugby again.

French look better on the counter when they run into space

Yeah Hooper has serious pace for a backrower

Old Man wrote:Yeah Hooper has serious pace for a backrower

He seems to have been around for ages.

France cannot lose this now, surely ??????

LordDowlais wrote:

Old Man wrote:Yeah Hooper has serious pace for a backrower

He seems to have been around for ages.

He has, since 2012, over 100 tests and he is only 29

Dominant period from France but Australia hit back in great style.

Game on!

Only France could blow a game from such a position.

Well done France, turned their luck around from last week.

Frenchie was off his feet there - hand on the ground just before the ref gave the pen!

What a great game. Could have gone any way and another exciting finish. France really brought the power game tonight and bossed the breakdown. They've got some incredible athletes in the forwards.

Shame it's a short turnaround to the next game - would have loved a proper 3rd test with both teams fully fresh.

Same as Hooper earlier, if he didn’t penalise hoopr he couldn’t penalise the Frenchie, in fact Hooper started his turnover with a hand on the ground, the Frenchie only put his hand down after he secured the ball and was pulled over