France rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to defeat Australia 42-26 in Brisbane on Saturday, extending the Wallabies' losing streak to six consecutive test matches and delivering their first victory over Australia in Brisbane since the 54th year mark. The comeback win highlighted Australia's ongoing struggles with discipline and execution as the home side squandered a 21-12 lead built during a period when France played with 14 men.
Winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang scored twice on debut, including the crucial opening try of the second half that ignited a devastating 30-point run for the visiting French side. The performance underscored France's depth and resilience while raising fresh questions about Australia's ability to close out matches against top-tier opposition.
Discipline Costs Australia
France's Emmanuel Meafou opened the scoring in the third minute before receiving a yellow card that gave Australia a numerical advantage. The Wallabies capitalized when Brandon Paenga-Amosa scored following a trick lineout move. France regained the lead when Grandidier-Nkanang outpaced rookie Australian flyhalf Duncan Meredith to chase down Romain Ntamack's kick in the 18th minute.
Meafou's second yellow card in the 25th minute for head-on-head contact with Australian backrower Rob Valentini provided another opportunity. Flanker Fraser McReight scored twice from close range during this period, and also prevented a French try just before halftime by beating Matthieu Jalibert in a race to the ball.
French Explosion Breaks Australian Resistance
Three tries in seven minutes destroyed Australia's halftime advantage. The burst began in the 49th minute when Jalibert kicked wide for an unmarked Grandidier-Nkanang. Ntamack then delivered a solo effort in the 52nd minute, running from 22 meters out, dummying, palming off a defender and crashing over. Skipper Maxime Lucu's conversion gave France the lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Australian fullback Tom Wright's yellow card compounded the Wallabies' problems during this critical stretch. Florian Verhaeghe and Theo Attissogbe added further tries before Australia managed a late consolation score. France will face Japan in Tokyo next week, while the Wallabies travel to Perth to meet Italy, which arrives after losses to Japan and New Zealand.
All Blacks Record Holder
New Zealand defeated Italy 47-17 in Wellington on Saturday, remaining unbeaten after two rounds. Will Jordan became New Zealand's all-time leading try-scorer with 50 tries in 56 matches, breaking Doug Howlett's record with three tries on the day. Josh Moorby made an explosive debut off the bench on his birthday, directly contributing to three tries.
Italy opened the scoring through center Tommaso Menoncello after an All Blacks turnover. Sam Darry responded within five minutes, but New Zealand limped to halftime with just a 14-10 lead. Jordan's first try came from a chip kick by Jordie Barrett and recovery by Leroy Carter in the 30th minute.
Moorby's 31st-minute introduction changed the match. He broke off the left wing and combined with scrumhalf Cam Roigard for a try two minutes into the second half. He then won an intercept before prop Ethan de Groot scored in his 42nd test. Moorby later set up Jordan's record-equaling try before Jordan claimed the record outright in the 54th minute from Barrett's quick-tapped penalty.
"I think back to when I was a kid practicing my chip and chase in the back yard," Jordan said. "To think I'd be here today, it's hugely humbling. I guess as a winger on the end of the chain I've been part of some great teams over the last seven years."
Italy captain Michele Lamaro acknowledged his team's strong start but admitted, "They came back on the field after halftime with another gear and we couldn't hold them." Italy played much of the final quarter with 14 men after Niccolo Cannone's yellow card for an attempted head butt on Roigard was upgraded to red. Leonardo Marin scored Italy's second try in the 57th minute despite the disadvantage.
New Zealand also finished with 14 men when flyhalf Ruben Love received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on in the 71st minute. The All Blacks will face Ireland next weekend in Auckland, while Italy travels to Perth to face Australia.
Why This Matters:
Australia's sixth consecutive test loss reveals systemic problems that can't be solved through personnel changes alone. The Wallabies' inability to maintain discipline during crucial periods directly contributed to both their halftime lead evaporating and their second-half collapse. For a nation with rugby's proud traditions, this extended losing streak threatens both team morale and the sport's commercial viability in a competitive Australian sports market. New Zealand's record-breaking performance demonstrates the value of player development systems that consistently produce world-class talent like Jordan and Moorby. The All Blacks' depth allows them to absorb injuries and maintain standards, a model other nations struggle to replicate. Italy's competitive first-half performance before fading suggests they're building capability but lack the conditioning and depth to sustain intensity against elite opposition for 80 minutes.