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France Overturns Australia 42-26, First Brisbane Win Since 1972

7/11/2026

Summary

France Comeback

France defeated Australia 42-26 in Brisbane after trailing 21-12 at halftime.
Fly-half Romain Ntamack returned to spark a 30-point second-half surge that secured the comeback.
Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang scored two debut tries, including the first second-half score.
Emmanuel Meafou opened scoring with a third-minute try, giving France its first win in Brisbane since 1972.
Australia recorded its sixth straight test loss and will travel to Perth to face Italy.

Summary

Kiss Appointed Coach

Les Kiss will become Wallabies head coach after the Italy test in Perth, ending Joe Schmidt’s tenure.
Schmidt’s spell ended with a sixth straight loss, the first six-game skid in a decade.
The match saw Tom Wright yellow-carded and Emmanuel Meafou sin-binned for ten minutes.
Josh Nasser’s early concussion forced hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa onto the field in the third minute.
Maxime Lucu’s second-half penalty helped trigger France’s comeback.

Summary

France Earns Bonus

France earned a four-try bonus point after six tries.
Australia secured a try-bonus point after Jeremy Williams’ late try.
Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang was named player of the match after two debut tries and two line breaks.
Referee Karl Dickson officiated with assistants Christophe Ridley (England) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan), TMO Andrew Jackson, and gave yellow cards to Emmanuel Meafou for a high tackle and Tom Wright for failing to roll away.

History

Historical Context

France’s 1972 tour of Australia, the only series they have ever won on Australian soil, comprised nine matches with eight victories and a test series win. Over five decades later, Romain Ntamack sparked a 2024 comeback, delivering France’s Brisbane triumph and heightening pressure on Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, with Les Kiss set to replace him.

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France Comeback

France defeated Australia 42-26 in Brisbane after trailing 21-12 at halftime.
Fly-half Romain Ntamack returned to spark a 30-point second-half surge that secured the comeback.
Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang scored two debut tries, including the first second-half score.
Emmanuel Meafou opened scoring with a third-minute try, giving France its first win in Brisbane since 1972.
Australia recorded its sixth straight test loss and will travel to Perth to face Italy.

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