Wallabies vs France: Player ratings as Australia suffers heavy defeat at Suncorp Stadium
The Wallabies were beaten by France 42-26 at Suncorp Stadium after a disastrous second half where they conceded 30 unanswered points.
Queensland Reds captain Fraser McReight was outstanding in the defeat, scoring two tries and underlining his position as one of the world’s best breakaways.
Let’s take a look at how the players rated at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium.
Angus Bell 6.5
Played his role in a solid scrum but was starved of the ball, only carrying for two metres. Made 12 tackles, only missing one. Played a key role in Fraser McReight’s first try, doing some tough grunt work at close quarters against the French defence.
Josh Nasser N/A
Failed a HIA and was off after three minutes.
Allan Alaalatoa 6
Not just as dominant in defence as in his last Test against Ireland, making just five tackles, but still a solid performance from the veteran who looks fresh and fit.
Jeremy Williams 6.5
A brilliant lineout operator and was rewarded for 80 minutes of toil with a late consolation try. It’s hard to believe he only debuted for the Wallabies in 2024. Made 14 carries, the second highest for the Wallabies on the night. A blot on the copybook was missing three tackles.
Josh Canham 5.5
The Wallabies desperately needed his lineout nous in the closing stages. Only made two carries and missed five tackles. Also will be frustrated at getting penalised for an early high tackle.
Rob Valetini 6.5
A big moment in the game when Valetini slammed into Manny Meafou sending the France second row to the ground. Meafou also got a yellow card for his troubles for going too high in the tackle.
Not quite as dominating or as busy as he was against Ireland. Only six carries with 25 metres made.
Fraser McReight 9
The Reds captain was absolutely outstanding on his home ground. Two tries, two turnovers and led his team in tackles with 20 completed. Also beat Matthieu Jalibert in a foot race to win save the Wallabies from a certain try just before half-time. If the Wallabies could clone Fraser McReight they would never lose.
Harry Wilson 6.5
The captain wears his heart on his sleeve and can never be accused of not caring. Gave away two penalties, the most costly with the Wallabies camped in the French half and looking for a try late and the big No.8 infringed at the ruck. The captain made 18 tackles and made 30 metres.
Ryan Lonergan 7
The Wallabies backline really hums when Lonergan is on the field and his organisational skills, kicking and passing game is immaculate. A Test starter that is locked in for the moment.
Declan Meredith 5
A tough Test debut for the Brumbies player who not unreasonably admitted to feeling nerves when he arrived at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium when interviewed by Stan Sport. Was partially at fault for French winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang’s try, failing to read Romain Ntamack’s grubber kick.
Made 15 passes but did not provide any running threat. It was a lot to ask and in an ideal world this talented player would have been eased into Test action a lot later but for injuries.
Dylan Pietsch 6
Tough as they come and carried the ball for 49 metres. Pietsch is a former back-rower and adds a huge physicality to his game.
Len Ikitau 6.5
The Wallabies always look a better team with Ikitau in its backline, made an average of five metres per carry, the problem he wasn’t given enough ball by his teammates.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 6.5
Started well with a 50/22 which was called back, but also provided some of the Wallabies’ best work in the backline.
Max Jorgensen 6
A real mixed bag, saved the Wallabies with a try-saving tackle and turnover, but got penalised for tip tackle that totally flipped the game after so much early momentum. Will be disappointed with the penalty. Nearly scored a try but just knocked the ball on.
Tom Wright 6
Wright’s yellow card proved extremely costly for the Wallabies, but equally, the fullback made two try-saving tackle. The running threat of Wright hasn’t fully returned, but has an outstanding kicking game with two 50/22s.
Reserves
Brandon Paenga-Amosa 8
Came on after three minutes and did not stop working for the Wallabies, getting rewarded with a try. The hooker was badly missed on the Wallabies’ November tour. Accurate in the lineout and carried the ball for 34 metres.
James Slipper 5
A tough night for the veteran who has given Australian rugby so much. The pace of the game really got away from him.
Taniela Tupou 6
A surging break from Tupou gave the Suncorp Stadium something to cheer about, but sadly it didn’t result in a try.
Lachlan Shaw 5
It’s been a very tough introduction to Test rugby for the young player, against Ireland and France. He will only get better, but this is a very hard apprenticeship he’s having to go through.
Nick Champion de Crespigny 5.5
The tough Force breakaway with the French heritage was unable to physically impose himself on the French.
Tate McDermott 6
Sniped as ever and kept the French defence honest but wasn’t able to impact the game.
Jock Campbell 5.5
Difficult night for Campbell after a strong performance against Ireland, had to fill in at five-eighth and plug holes in the backline.
Filipo Daugunu 4.5
Not his night. Missed a tackle that led to Theo Attissogbe’s try for France.