France 48-33 Australia: Wallabies suffer first winless European tour in 67 years
Australia's rugby team has concluded its European tour winless for the first time in 67 years, suffering a 48-33 defeat to France. This loss marks the Wallabies' fourth consecutive defeat during the autumn series and their tenth overall this year, reflecting a significant decline in performance under coach Joe Schmidt, who will leave after the Nations Championship in July. Despite an early lead, Australia struggled to maintain momentum, conceding crucial tries in the second half as France capitalized on their opportunities. The defeat not only highlights systemic issues within the team but also positions France as a top seed for the upcoming World Cup. Looking ahead, the Wallabies will need to regroup and address their challenges before hosting the World Cup in 2027.
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Louis Bielle-Biarrey was instrumental for France, scoring two tries and assisting in two others, bringing his Test tally to 20 tries in just 22 games since his debut in 2023.
Australia's loss to France follows previous defeats against Italy, England, and Ireland, marking a disappointing autumn for the team, which has not faced such a winless tour since 1956.
Despite scoring first through Matt Faessler, Australia allowed France to equalize quickly, showing defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the second half where they conceded crucial tries.
Coach Joe Schmidt's tenure has been marked by a win percentage dropping below 40%, and this tour's performance raises concerns about the team's readiness ahead of their 2027 World Cup hosting duties.
The match featured eight penalties conceded by France in the first half, which allowed Australia to stay competitive before the hosts took control in the latter stages of the game.
France's victory secures them a top seed for the World Cup draw, enhancing their momentum as they look to build on recent successes.
In another match, Italy finished their autumn series with a 34-19 win against Chile, marking the first encounter between the two teams.