LIVE: The Wallabies have scored two quick tries to lead 19-10 over France after 34 minutes in Brisbane.
Joe Schmidt’s side started 2026 with a narrow loss to Ireland in Sydney to kick-off the Nations Championship.
Watch every second of the 2026 Nations Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.
ACT Brumbies flyhalf Declan Meredith makes his Test debut, with teammate Tom Wright starting at fullback.
Meanwhile, the French enter the contest hurting after their own close defeat to New Zealand in Christchurch.
There’s a distinct Aussie connection within their squad, with Moses Alo-Emile, Emmanuel Meaofu and Tom Staniforth all named.
Try | Meafou 3′ | France vs Australia Try
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36′: Bonkers
How do you describe this? There’s nearly been three tries and everyone is out on their feet.
France nearly score and the Aussies force the error, with Tom Wright breaking 50 metres.
His kick is charged down and France put a kick in that they re-gather and go again, with Fraser McReight somehow winning the race to the ball against Mathieu Jalibert and avoiding being tackled in goal for Max Jorgensen to pump it 60 metres down the field.
It ends with France winning a penalty at ruck time and they put the ball into touch right in Australia’s line.
34′: McReight on the double
Wallabies 21-12: The Wallabies keep taking advantage of no Emmanuel Meafou as they rumble over for the rolling maul try.
There’s not stopping the hosts as Fraser McReight has a first half pair.
33′: Jorgensen coughs it up
Wallabies 14-12: Desperate defence from France forces the mistake from Max Jorgensen as he dives for the try line.
There’s two French there to knock the ball out of his hands, with the Wallabies working under penalty advantage.
31′: Wright on fire with the boot
Wallabies 14-12: Tom Wright is deadly with the boot, nailing his second 50-22 of the night.
The fullback spirals it downfield and it gets the home kick for the sideline.
29′: Kick off woes continue
Wallabies 14-12: A real concern for the Wallabies at restart time is averted as France drop the kick-off, which would’ve been three straight lost.
What isn’t a concern is the Australian scrum, taking advantage of Meafou’s absence to win a penalty.
26′: McReight place, McReight time
Wallabies 14-12: Fraser McReight comes up with the goods as the Wallabies cash in on the man advantage.
McReight burrows his way over from close and the home crowd love it!
24′: France down to 14
France 12-7: Big moment as Emmanuel Meafou is off for ten for a high shot on Rob Valetini.
The monster lock collects Valetini, who has been on fire, in the head and he’s off for ten. The contact didn’t seem to faze the back-rower, who shrugged it off and made several minutes.
Wallabies turn down three from right in front five metres out for the scrum.
21′: Wild play from both sides
France 12-7: Crazy couple of minutes from both sides as the Wallabies first break through, with France seeming to knock it down and its play on.
France then makes their own half break, with Rob Valetini forcing the error and Tom Wright nails a 50-22 to settle it down.
18′: Grandidier-Nkanang magic gives France lead
France 12-7: Unreal work from Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang restores France’s lead and gives the Olympic gold medalist a debut try.
The Sevens flyer wins the race for the ball ahead of Declan Meredith and finishes excellently for the try in the corner.
14′: France building pressure
7-all: The speed of the French is telling as they force another Aussie mistake from the kickoff,
They launch inside the Australian 22 and force a hurried clearance kick to get a prime chance to attack.
But the Wallabies hold for now, winning the turnover through Josh Canham to clear their line.
Josh Nasser will not return, failing his HIA.
10′: BPA cashes in for Wallabies opener
7-all: Huge response from the hosts as Brandon Paenga-Amosa hits straight back for the Wallabies.
A great touch finder from Declan Meredith puts them in prime position, with Paenga-Amosa catching France with the quick lineout, pulled back two metres out.
He backs it up with a short dart for the try, with Ryan Lonergan slotting the tough kick.
6′: Wallabies finding their groove
France 7-0: The hosts look to respond as they start to put the phases together.
Dylan Pietsch’s half break is stopped for a forward pass but some promising signs after a couple of near breaks.
The French break from the scrum and make good ground with some fancy hands, although they drop it 35 metres out.
3′: First strike to France
France 7-0: First points to the French as it’s a familiar face in Emmanuel Meafou who crashes over for the opener.
The Brisbane born lock loved that as the second row carries three over for the try.
An early change for the Wallabies, with Josh Nasser off for an HIA, Brandon Paenga-Amosa on.
Try | Meafou 3′ | France vs Australia Try
KICK OFF
Romain Ntamack drops the kickoff short and France win it back for a perfect start for the visitors.
But they cough it, and the Wallabies act quickly, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii kicking the 50-22 for an early chance. Or is it? The TMO is involved and finds a high shot to bring it back for France.
WALLABIES 21
Tries: Paenga-Amosa, McReight 2
Cons: Lonergan 3/3
Pens:
FRANCE 12
Tries: Meafou, Grandidier-Nkanang
Cons: Lucu 1/2
Pens:
PRE GAME
KO T-2: Anthems done
The anthems have been sung and we are almost ready to go in Brisbane.
Real feeling in the Australian anthem, especially from skipper Harry Wilson, as the Wallabies feed off the big crowd.
KO T-15: Back up the tunnel
The teams have headed up the tunnel as the Wallabies get a big pop as they leave the field.
The crowd continues to grow as we prepare for a cracker of a game.
KO T-30: Suncorp pumping
The crowd is in early, and geez, is it a beauty!
Lots of gold around the stands, with tinges of blue for France, although not at the same level as the Irish last week.
KO T-45: Warm-up underway
Both teams have settled into their warm-up routines as the crowd starts to pack into Suncorp Stadium.
The field is showing the wear and tear from State of Origin on Wednesday but should still be a belter.
KO T-60: Toss complete
The Wallabies will receive the kick-off to begin the game after losing the toss, running left to right on your screens, towards Caxton Street.
At this stage, both teams will line up with the same 23s that were named during the week.
KO T-90: WELCOME
Welcome to Rugby.com.au’s coverage of the Wallabies’ clash with France in Brisbane.
It’s a stunning day in the Sunshine State, not a cloud in the sky and warmer than expected for July.
The sold out sign went up this morning, with gold all across the city.
WALLABIES v FRANCE TEAMS
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham; Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Lachlan
Shaw, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu
FRANCE (15-1): Matthieu Jalibert; Theo Attissogbe, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Yoram Moefana, Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang; Romain Ntamack, Maxime Lucu (capt); Marko Gazzotti, Oscar Jegou, Lenni Nouchi; Emmanuel Meafou, Florian Verhaeghe; Demba Bamba, Peato Mauvaka, Moses Alo-Emile
Replacements: Maxime Lamothe, Jefferson Poirot, Tevita Tatafu, Hugo Auradou, Tom Staniforth, Killian Tixeront, Nolann Le Garrec, Kalvin Gourgues
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley (England) & Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
HOW TO WATCH WALLABIES v FRANCE TONIGHT
The Wallabies’ clash with France will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network.
Coverage will be live on Stan Sport, scheduled to start at 4:30 pm (AEST).
The game will also be shown on free-to-air television via 9Go.