Player ratings: A game of inches
However, it turned out the Wallabies won the moments that mattered and also the game – 25-23.
It was indeed a game of 'inches' in which a few crucial decisions by individuals could have changed the result.
Jan de Koning rates the French players!
15 Scott Spedding:
A very selfish player that cost his team an almost certain win because he opted to run when he should have passed.
4/10
14 Noa Nakaitaci:
He caused all kinds of havoc with the ball in hand – with two great clean break and beating more than a handful of defenders.
7/10
13 Remi Lamerat:
Another Frenchman who had a great game with ball in hand, but spoilt an otherwise great day at the office with slipping some crucial tackles.
6/10
12 Wesley Fofana:
Arguably France's most productive backline player and he made all his tackles in a game where the defence of both teams were tested to the limits.
7/10
11 Virimi Vakatawa:
It was clear the French were keen on using his powerful running to expose the Wallabies out wide, but he turned over a few balls.
7/10
10 Jean-Marc Doussain:
Was tested on defence and stood his ground. His distribution skills were also good and had a couple of decent runs.
6/10
9 Maxime Machenaud:
The general in the French backline and his goal-kicking is also vital.
7/10
8 Louis Picamoles:
He was closely marked when he had the ball in hand and his defence was, mostly, solid.
6/10
7 Kevin Gourdon:
He will still grow into his role in the national team. Hard-working and solid.
6/10
6 Charles Ollivon:
Did the basics very well and a key player on defence.
6/10
5 Yoann Maestri:
Solid and hard-working, but not his best game.
6/10
4 Sebastian Vahaamahina:
He struggled with the pace of the game at times and slipped a few tackles.
5/10
3 Uini Atonio:
Strong in the scrums and made some impressive carries, but missed as many tackles as he made.
6/10
2 Guilhem Guirado:
The captain had a tough day at the office. Apart from his running debates with the referee, he also missed a few tackles.
5/10
1 Cyril Baille:
He did the basics well – scrums and defence, but was on the wrong end of a few penalties.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Camille Chat (on for Guirado, 64th min):
Struggled with the pace of the game and his impact was minimal.
5/10
17 Xavier Chiocci (on for Baille, 64th min):
Was impressive in the scrums, but did very little outside the set pieces.
5/10
18 Rabah Slimani (on for Atonio, 64th min):
Another front row forward who used all his energy in the set pieces.
5/10
19 Julien Le Devedec (on for Vahaamahina, 64th min):
His workrate left a lot to be desired, especially when the game was crying out for something special from the 'impact' players.
5/10
20 Damien Chouly (on for Picamoles, 72nd min):
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Baptiste Serin (on for Machenaud, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Camille Lopez (in for Doussain, 57th min):
He did not made the desired impact, but was solid on defence.
6/10
23 Gael Fickou (on for Fickou, 69th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
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