Bleus spoil Gregan’s celebrations

France 26 Australia 16

The French led throughout on a cold Marseilles night at Stade Velodrome to triumph in Australia’s opening Test of their European tour.

It was yet another match of missed opportunities and set-piece dramas for the Wallabies.

Coach Eddie Jones rated the two-tries-to-one defeat the most disappointing loss of Australia’s worst losing streak since 1969.

“(The losing streak) is definitely affecting our confidence. We had what we thought was a pretty good preparation but we went out there and didn’t play with any confidence,” he said.

“We didn’t have them right so I take full responsibility for that.”

In an explosive start to the second half, France lost playmaker Frederic Michalak after a marginally late tackle by Mark Chisholm and Australian hooker Brendan Cannon was also sidelined after appearing to be felled by French skipper Fabien Pelous.

No action was taken by New Zealand referee Paul Honiss against either, but Australian officials hope the citing commissioner will report Pelous for a swinging arm to the head.

The game then swung on a 50th-minute Remy Martin chargedown of a Matt Giteau kick.

Giteau managed to win the race to the bobbling ball near the line but failed to secure it, giving the French flanker an easy pick-up for a try and a 20-9 lead.

When influential halfback Jean-Baptiste Ellisalde kicked a touchline penalty after a Matt Rogers high tackle midway through the half, the Test was as good as over.

Replacement Drew Mitchell scored a late consolation try on the bell after good lead-up work by Chris Whitaker and Chris Latham.

Lote Tuqiri, at outside centre, showed his worth in his new position, while youngster Lloyd Johansson added thrust in the second half to put his hand up for a starting role.

But the lineout was again a major worry and the scrum was also overpowered.