Wallabies head into World Cup winless after being humbled by France

Practice match or not, the Wallabies will head into the World Cup winless from five Tests to start the year. Their latest humbling defeat, a 41-17 loss to World Cup hosts Les Bleus at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Ill-discipline and a failure to take their chances in France’s attacking zone, including three missed shots at goal from Carter Gordon, saw the Wallabies blow their hopes of finding some momentum on the eve of the World Cup.

France scored three tries to the Wallabies’ two, but it was the boot of fullback Thomas Ramos that proved the great difference between the two sides.

The other? France’s defence.

Gabin Villiere dives over to score against the Wallabies in Paris. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The Wallabies had multiple chances in both halves, including several raids early in the second half, but France repelled the visitors through a strong defensive rolling maul and around the ruck.

After not having any pay from the 13th minute when Mark Nawaqanitawase finished out wide, Tate McDermott resorted to a box kick in the 61st minute in the hope one of his aerial threats brought gold from the stars.

Just as Ireland has found success over the use of attacking kicks in opposition halves in recent years, the Wallabies did too as Nawaqanitawase spectacularly brought the ball down inside France’s half. Moments later Fraser McReight steamed over the line.

But the moments of joy were few and far between as the host nation warmed up in style by burning the Wallabies out wide in front of a packed house of 80,000.

Damian Penaud, who denied the Wallabies a famous win last October, scored a stunning second-half double from kicks to ensure France head into their World Cup opener on September 8 against the All Blacks with all the confidence in the world.

It’s a stark contrast to the state Jones’ Wallabies find themselves in.

Eddie Jones’ Wallabies are winless heading into the World Cup after going down to France at the Stade de France on August 27, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

It was back in July ahead of the Wallabies’ second loss of the season to Argentina that Eddie Jones said he had never seen a side experience momentum for four months. Jones must hope that proves to be the case because they’ve never gone into a World Cup campaign winless.

Of course losing to France is no great shame, but Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan will be sweating that Jones’ Wallabies can turn it around over the next two months otherwise he’ll be left in a spot of bother having sacked Dave Rennie in January.

More to come.