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As the Wallabies head over to the home of the Rugby World Cup 2023 and take on France before the long-awaited tournament, we relive the recent history between the two rivals.
Staggeringly, across their last four encounters, the largest margin between the two sides has been just three points.
On home soil in July 2021, the Wallabies secured a remarkable victory over France 23-21, with a penalty goal being kicked by Noah Lolesio in the dying minutes against the visitors at Suncorp Stadium.
A mere week later, it was a hard fought second test match, with the Wallabies down 11 points with only 10 minutes to go. A try from veteran Michael Hooper, and once again Lolesio with a penalty goal, the Wallabies were back in the lead.
With the opposition now fired up, a penalty goal was kicked by France’s Melvyn Jaminet to snatch a thrilling win (26-28). While it was a devastating lost for the Wallabies, focus quickly turned to the final test match the following week.
It was third time a charm, when the star of the series Noah Lolesio sealed the win for the Wallabies in the third test, with another last-minute penalty goal, claiming the series 2-1.
In November 2022, the two sides went head-to-head once again, with France coming out on top with the narrowest of wins (30-29).
If this upcoming match against France is anything like the last four, we are in for a tight, heart-stopping 80 minutes of play.
With the Rugby World Cup kicking off soon thereafter, this will be a great test for the young Wallabies side.
Speaking to the Australian media in August as the Wallabies were preparing to depart the country for France, Head Coach of the Wallabies Eddie Jones said he believed inexperience won't impact the green and gold's chances from September.
“It’s a young squad, it’s an exciting squad. (But) It will be a successful squad, Jones said.”
Undoubtedly, Wallabies fans across Australia and abroad are gearing up for what will be a thrilling Rugby World Cup 2023.
The Wallabies will take on France on Sunday 27 August at 5.45pm CEST/1.45am AEST at State de France, Paris.
Final Rugby World Cup 2023 packages are available with Wallabies Travel. Browse packages here.