The Wallabies crashed to defeat to France in Brisbane to extend their losing streak to six – their worst losing run in a decade – and continue their winless start to the Nations Championship. As they had last week against Ireland, Australia squandered a half-time lead to be blown away by a scintillating France, leaving Joe Schmidt facing a terrible fade to black for his final Test next week as national coach.
Both teams were stinging from narrow losses last week and their desperation told in a frantic early tempo. Despite an early jackal and what appeared to be a 50-22 kick from Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the referee scrubbed it all for a high tackle. France took the gift, kicking deep and rolling into Australia’s red zone before unleashing the 145kg Brisbane-born wrecking ball Emmanuel Meafou from point blank. France 7-0.
Australia were stunned and so was their hooker Josh Nasser who left the field for an HIA, bringing Brandon Paenga-Amosa into the fray. He made an immediate impact, throwing an audacious short line-out which Ryan Lonergan shimmied back. The gold jerseys piled in and peeled off, Paenga-Amosa finishing what he began to level it 7-7.
Australia were still making errors and a fumble off the kick-off put them under the pump. A Josh Canham steal and clearance by debutant flyhalf Declan Meredith got them out of trouble, but Les Bleus weren’t done. Their No 10 Romain Ntamack dinked a grubber into the left corner, Meredith tried to shepherd it into touch only to see Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang fly around the blind side, steal the ball and score.
After much of 2025 on the sidelines, Tom Wright had returned and his 50-22 got Australia back on track. As the Wallabies rumbled upfield, Meafou’s head clattered into Rob Valetini’s and was considered dangerous enough to be yellow-carded. The home side made the most of the one-man advantage, with a tap and go which set up repeat raids. Finally the blue line snapped and Fraser McReight thundered over.
Japan 20-36 Ireland
Sean Jansen (centre of picture) scored a try on his Ireland debut as they made it a perfect opening two wins from two in their Nations Championship campaign with a 36-20 bonus-point win over Japan in Australia.
Nick Timoney, Tom O’Toole, Robbie Henshaw and Tom Stewart were responsible for Ireland’s other tries, while Ciarean Frawley kicked for six points and Harry Byrne for four to ensure they remained top of the Northern Hemisphere group.
The Ireland head coach Andy Farrell made nine changes from their narrow win over Australia, with Tadhg Beirne captaining for the first time and hooker Ronan Kelleher reaching 50 caps.
Japan struck first, capitalising on an error-strewn Ireland lineout that allowed Taira Main to run in their first try in the third minute. Ireland hit back six minutes later when Timoney drove between the posts for their first score of the game.
Takuro Matsunaga pulled Japan back in front with a penalty, then Ireland took the lead when O’Toole crossed over in the 20th minute, aided by Stuart McCloskey. The lead switched again as Matsunaga added a second penalty, but it was 19-13 to Ireland after Henshaw powered over with six minutes left in the first half.
Sam Illo came on for his debut in a double change for Ireland, who started the second half more clinically as fellow replacement Bundee Aki latched on to a Henshaw pass before Jansen finished the job, securing the bonus point in the 50th minute.
Japan pounced on another poor lineout, paving the way for Hayate Era to battle his way over. Byrne added a much-needed cushion with a penalty to make it 20-29 with 10 minutes remaining. Era was then sent off with three minutes remaining before Stewart sealed the win. PA Media
Argentina 35-21 Wales
Wales failed to build on a strong start as Argentina emerged as 35-21 winners, running in five tries in San Juan.
An early try from Dewi Lake gave Steve Tandy’s side an early lead but the Pumas quickly responded with two tries. Rhys Carre pulled the Welsh back level but three more tries in a spell either side of half-time put the hosts in charge before Ben Warren’s consolation.
Sam Costelow converted all three of Wales’ tries but Argentina, for whom Joaquin Oviedo starred with two touchdowns, deserved their victory as they bounced back impressively from their opening defeat to Scotland.
Justo Piccardo, Marcos Kremer and Santiago Carreras all went over while 10 points came from the boot of Tomas Albornoz. Wales will face South Africa in Durban next, while Argentina will host England in the third round of games. PA Media
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson is a gambler. Last week his decision to play it safe and chase three points over five (twice) backfired with both kicks sailing wide. In the 32nd minute he rolled the dice, kicking for the corner. Josh Canham seized the lineout and the gold maul steamrolled over, with McReight notching the third double of his career. Lonergan nailed a third conversion to put Australia ahead 21-12.
That half-time advantage didn’t last long. First France Maxime Lucu slotted a penalty to bring his team within a converted score. That try came minutes later as Lucu spun the ball quickly after a Yoram Moefana charge. Fullback Matthieu Jalibert flew into the line, and kicked behind the gold line for Grandidier-Nkanang to collect and touch down.
But France weren’t done. With both teams emptying their benches, the tourists’ fresh legs served them better, their maul rumbling into the red zone where Ntamack snuck down the short side and beat Lonergan for pace to snatch back the lead 21-27. With Wright still cooling his heels, Les Bleus went in for the kill, Grandidier-Nkanang and Jalibert were at it again, counter-attacking 70-metres to send Florian Verhaeghe over.
At 34-21 down with a quarter to play, Australia looked cooked when Jalibert’s fast hands at the lineout fed Théo Attissogbe to crash over from close range. But they lived again when the referee found a forward pass. Could Australia capitalise? After Lucu’s penalty they needed 16 points in as many minutes. They launched a breathless assault upfield, every gold jersey chiming in but dud passes snuffed each opportunity.
As they had last week against Ireland, Australia had squandered a strong start and half-time lead. France then showed them what elite rugby is about, cutting through with fast hands and feet to send Attissogbe over for 42-21. A sold-out Suncorp stadium, already reeling from a Queensland loss in State of Origin, hung their heads.
There was a consolation try at the end but no one cheered. For the Wallabies it is a ninth loss in 10 Tests. They have now frittered two home Tests and a lot of local support. If they lose to Italy in Perth next week, they will send Schmidt out a loser. A new coach in Les Kiss – and a new approach – can’t come soon enough.
