Australia prepared for the defence of their Tri-Nations title by beating France in a thrilling second Test to complete a 2-0 series win over the Six Nations champions. The Wallabies outscored the French four tries to three but had to hang on grimly in the final four minutes to prevent the tourists causing an upset. France almost snatched victory with a try in injury time but No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy dropped the ball five metres from the line.
The Australians, playing a new brand of expansive, running rugby as part of their build-up to next year's World Cup, looked to have the game under control when they led 13-0 in the first half and 31-18 in the second but the French hit back on both occasions.
'I thought that was a sign of a very good team,' Wallaby coach Eddie Jones said. 'But we rose to the occasion. France would be disappointed with their results but not with where they stand in world rugby at the moment.'
The French made six changes to the side that lost the first Test 29-17, and their coach Bernard Laporte was satisfied with the team's progress. 'Obviously there is a feeling of disappointment but realistically that doesn't last too long,' he said. 'That was a much better game than last Saturday and we have learnt a lot from this tour.'
Matthew Burke opened the scoring with a penalty in the 19th minute, but it was Stirling Mortlock who crossed for the first try six minutes later, finishing off a simple backline move from the scrum to register his eighth try in just 12 tests.
Five minutes later, Burke pounced on a dropped ball by Aurélien Rougerie to sprint half the length of the field and score in the left corner.
The French finally came to life in the last 10 minutes of the half, with Rougerie getting the green light from the video referee for a try in the right corner.
Gérald Merceron then slotted over a penalty in the final minute. But Australia finished the half with just 14 men after Owen Finegan was sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on Serge Betsen.
France pulled to within two points when Merceron landed a second penalty two minutes after the restart. They then took the lead for the first time when tight-head prop Sylvain Marconnet plunged over in the 45th minute. Merceron landed the conversion to put the visitors five points in front, but the Wallabies quickly got back on level terms once Finegan returned to the field with a spectacular try straight out of the French manual.
Mortlock burst into the open after charging on to a short pass from Stephen Larkham and sent a wide looping pass to Wendell Sailor who in turn put Daniel Herbert on a free run to the corner to bring the scores level at 18-18.
Australia regained the lead shortly after when Mortlock landed a penalty then stretched their advantage to six points when George Gregan kicked a drop goal.
The Wallabies seemed to have put the match out of France's reach when Mortlock scored his second try 16 minutes before the end. But the French gave themselves a chance of winning when Rougerie scored his second four minutes from time. Throwing caution to the wind, they flung the ball around in the hope of snatching a late winner and almost pulled it off, but Harinordoquy's fumble allowed the Australians a collective sigh of relief.
Australia: Latham; Sailor, Burke (Rogers 40), Herbert, Mortlock; Larkham (Flatley 73), Gregan (capt); Young, Cannon (Hardman 42), Noriega (Moore 71), Sharpe (Vickerman 55), Harrison, Finegan, Smith (Cockbain 65), Lyons.
France: Brusque; Rougerie, Marsh, Traille (Jauzion 69), Elhorga (Heymans 13); Merceron, Michalak (Mignoni 76); Crenca, Ibañez (capt), Marconnet (Poux 66), Pelous (Porcu 62), Brouzet, Betsen (Magne 38), Chabal, Harinodoquy.
Referee: P Honiss (New Zealand).
