It might have been the Wallabies’ best performance of their end-of-year tour, but that hasn’t stopped Joe Schmidt’s men from going down to France 48-33 in Paris.
Despite going into the sheds locked at 19-19, another poor final quarter of the match saw Les Bleus secure the hard-fought win.
By losing, the Wallabies not only went winless on a four-Test tour of Europe for the first time since 1958 but suffered ten defeats in a calendar year for the first time.
The defeat meant the Wallabies won just five of 15 Tests in 2025 and saw Joe Schmidt’s winning percentage drop to 39 per cent. Only compatriot Dave Rennie (38 per cent) has a worse winning percentage with the Wallabies in the modern era.
The heavy loss also ensured the Wallabies would miss a top six seeding ahead of December’s 2027 World Cup draw, with Schmidt’s side finishing seventh on World Rugby’s rankings.
“It’s obviously been such a disappointing tour,” said Wallabies captain Harry Wilson. “I hope everyone knows at home how much it has been hurting us because we just want to be winning.”
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The Wallabies were once again plagued by a dodgy lineout.
Having lost six lineouts during their second-half fade out in Dublin last week, Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler, who grabbed a first-half brace of tries, lost another three lineouts.
None was more crucial than when Faessler was pinged for not throwing straight in the 43rd minute when the Wallabies had a lineout on France’s 22 metre line.
The Wallabies also had a golden opportunity to get back within striking distance in the 69th minute when attacking on France’s line, but a knock on from Rob Valetini saw the home side counter and turn defence into attack.
Although the visitors had another chance a minute later, their hopes of finishing the year on a high blew up in smoke when Carlo Tizzano was pinged for tackling a man past the breakdown.
It was another coach-killing moment for the Wallabies, who have continually shot themselves in the foot in recent weeks.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey was the star for France.
The left-winger, who was nominated for World Rugby player of the year, scored twice for the home side, including a stunning individual try in the first half.
He also helped send in his teammate, outside centre Nicolas Depoortere, to score twice during the seven-tries-to-five rout.
The Wallabies had their moments, too.
Rampaging loose-head prop Angus Bell shrugged away a defender, burst through a gap and scored a fine first-half try.
Max Jorgensen scored yet another freakish try down the left-hand touchline after bursting onto a lovely steal and pass from Josh Nasser in the 55th minute to help the Wallabies cut the margin to 27-26.
But for every shot the Wallabies fired, Fabien Galthie’s men answered back emphatically.
“It is about results, so disappointing there,” Wilson added.
“The game was there for us again. A-zone wasn’t good enough tonight. We had a lot of opportunities there. We got really close and it wasn’t good enough to win the Test match.”
Schmidt, who at this point will oversee the Wallabies’ first three Tests of 2026 before passing the baton onto Les Kiss, encouraged supporters to stick with his side despite their horror finish to 2025.
“I’d just say that we’re disappointed we didn’t finish with the victory that I know you would have all loved to see, but the players have made a heck of an effort,” he said.
“They will get better, so please don’t give up on them.”
He added that he thought the Wallabies did a fine job in firing plenty of shots on the French.
“Certainly too good for us on the scoreboard,” the New Zealander said.
“I felt that we went toe-to-toe with them, particularly in the first half.
“And the second half, you know, we probably created a couple of chances. They got some pressure on our lineout, and their lineout really started to take control in that last quarter.
“But I’m incredibly proud of the group. They’ve continued to work hard and to try to keep improving, and I honestly think they’ll learn a lot from these last 15 test matches.”
Christy Doranhttps://https://ift.tt/Ax5GSCQ slump to new low after record TENTH loss in 2025, Jorgo scores stunner but star winger steals show
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