France secured a 42-26 victory over Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, turning a 21-12 halftime deficit into a decisive win in the second round of the Nations Championship. Romain Ntamack's return proved critical, sparking a run of 30 consecutive points for France. Winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, on debut, contributed two tries, including the crucial first score of the second half.
This marks France's first win against Australia in Brisbane since 1972, ending Australia’s six-game test losing streak. France held the lead twice in the first half but fell behind at halftime after Australia capitalized on a one-man advantage. Emmanuel Meafou scored the opening try for France in the third minute but then received a yellow card, removing him from play for 10 minutes. Australia responded six minutes later with a try from Brandon Paenga-Amosa, following a trick lineout move involving Paenga-Amosa and scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan.
France regained the lead in the 18th minute when Grandidier-Nkanang outpaced rookie Australian flyhalf Duncan Meredith to Ntamack's kick. Meafou's second carding in the 25th minute, for head-on-head contact with Australian backrower Rob Valentini, again gave the Wallabies space. Flanker Fraser McReight scored twice from close range and also prevented a try just before halftime by beating Matthieu Jalibert to the ball in the in-goal area.
The Struggle on the Field
A rapid succession of three tries within seven minutes, two of which occurred while Australian fullback Tom Wright was sidelined with a yellow card, shifted the momentum decisively to France. The surge began in the 49th minute when France exploited numerical superiority out wide, with Jalibert kicking for an unmarked Grandidier-Nkanang to score in the corner. Ntamack then delivered a solo try in the 52nd minute, running from 22 meters out, faking a pass, fending off a defender, and crashing over. Skipper Maxime Lucu converted the try, putting France ahead.
Florian Verhaeghe and Theo Attissogbe also crossed the line before Australia managed a late consolation try. France will now travel to Tokyo to face Japan next week. The Wallabies are set to play Italy in Perth, Western Australia; Italy is coming off losses to both Japan and New Zealand.
Player Performance and Outcomes
In Wellington, New Zealand defeated Italy 47-17, maintaining an unbeaten record after two rounds of the Nations Championship. Will Jordan scored three tries, establishing himself as New Zealand's all-time leading try-scorer in tests with 50 tries in 56 matches. Josh Moorby, making his live-wire debut off the bench on his birthday, also made a significant impact. New Zealand scored five tries and 33 points after halftime, securing a comfortable win despite head coach Dave Rennie's concerns about errors at both ends of the match.
Italy opened the scoring with a try from center Tommaso Menoncello following an All Blacks turnover. New Zealand quickly responded within five minutes with a try to lock Sam Darry. Italy's defense limited New Zealand's space and possession, leaving the home team with a narrow 14-10 lead at halftime. Jordan's first try came in the 30th minute from a chip kick by Jordie Barrett and a skillful recovery by Leroy Carter. Italy captain Michele Lamaro noted, "I think we started really well and we were putting the under pressure," adding, "They were trying to compete around the breakdown and we were really strong in that area. They came back on the field after halftime with another gear and we couldn't hold them."
Moorby entered the match in the 31st minute and played a key role in three tries during the first 11 minutes of the second half, which saw New Zealand extend their lead to 33-10. Backrower Anton Segner also debuted at halftime, becoming the first German-born player for the All Blacks. Moorby combined with scrumhalf Cam Roigard for a try two minutes into the second half. He then intercepted the ball and nearly scored before prop Ethan de Groot crashed over for a try in his 42nd test. Moorby later outpaced the defense to set up Jordan's second try, which equaled Doug Howlett's All Blacks record. Jordan secured the record outright with his third try in the 54th minute, initiated by Barrett's quick thinking at a tapped penalty.
Jordan reflected on his achievement, stating, "I think back to when I was a kid practicing my chip and chase in the back yard. To think I'd be here today, it's hugely humbling." He added, "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, having lost its opening Nations Championship match last week to Japan, 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. Despite the disadvantage, Italy scored its second try through Leonardo Marin in the 57th minute. New Zealand also saw its numbers reduced to 14 when flyhalf Ruben Love received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on in the 71st minute, his second yellow card in as many weeks.