Australia completed their first 3-0 series sweep over France with a 39-13 victory in the third Test yesterday in a clear statement of attacking intent ahead of the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championships.
Israel Folau’s two tries and a sparkling debut by giant lock Will Skelton highlighted a dominant display by the Wallabies at Sydney Football Stadium.
Bernard Foley continued his impressive goal-kicking with 14 points as the Wallabies posted a seventh straight Test win; a feat they last achieved in the 1999-2000 season.
Guilhem Guirado scored a consolation try for France, who have not won in Australia in their past 11 Tests dating back 24 years.
It was the second heavy defeat for the tourists in the series, after a 50-23 mauling in Brisbane in the first Test, before an improved defensive performance in the 6-0 win by the Wallabies in the second match in Melbourne.
The Wallabies assumed the ascendancy early yesterday with Foley opening the scoring with a penalty in the third minute after France infringed at the breakdown.
France scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud missed an opportunity to bring the tourists level almost immediately, hitting the post with his penalty attempt.
Skelton extended the Wallabies lead in the eighth minute, capping off a long spell of possession deep in French territory, by barging over from 5m, with his 140kg frame proving too much to handle for flanker Pulgence Ouedraogo.
Foley added the extras for a 10-0 lead.
France fullback Brice Dulin cut the deficit shortly after with a long-range penalty goal, but Australia resumed their 10-point advantage with another Foley penalty after captain Michael Hooper forced Dulin into an error from the kickoff. Prop Rabah Silimani received a yellow card in the 26th minute for tackling winger Adam Ashley-Cooper without the ball and the Wallabies quickly took advantage of the extra man with Toomua playing in Folau to dive over in the corner.
Foley expertly guided through the conversion from the touchline for a 20-3 lead.
France temporarily stopped the flow with a Machenaud penalty in the 35th minute and survived several Australia raids at the end of the half to trail 20-6 at the break. The second half began as the first ended, with Australia probing the French defensive line and it took only two minutes for Skelton to offload a clever short pass to Folau to send the fullback through untouched to score under the posts for his 13th Test try in only 18 matches.
In the 61st minute Foley made a diving inside pass to replacement Kurtley Beale, who drew Dulin before sending Hooper clear to score under the posts. Foley’s conversion gave Australia a 34-6 lead.
France showed glimpses of their renowned attacking flair, but it was raw strength and power that led to their first try with hooker Guilhem Guirado scoring from a rolling maul in the 65th minute. Machenaud’s conversion reduced the arrears to 31-13.
In the 74th minute, replacement scrumhalf Nick Phipps profited from some poor defending taking a quick tap from a penalty to sneak over from close range and complete the rout.
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