The Wallabies have crashed to a disappointing 41-17 loss to France in their Rugby World Cup warm-up Test in Paris, leaving them with plenty of work before their opening match against Georgia.
Coach Eddie Jones may be ruing his decision to leave a noted goal-kicker out of his starting 15, with rookie five-eighth Carter Gordon missing some crucial kicks at Stade de France.
Australia’s discipline was also a major issue, conceding 14 penalties for France to keep the points ticking over with the team continuing their winless record this year from five Tests since Jones took over.
Half-back Tate McDermott said his team were “letting themselves down”.
“There were a couple of penalties that just relieved pressure and against a team like France, with the skill of their backs, we just gifted them field position and to their credit they capitalised on those errors,” the vice-captain said.
“The solutions have got to come from us — Eddie is doing his best but we’re letting ourselves down out there.
“We’ve got two weeks to find a solution for Georgia because they’re a bloody good side so we’ve got to make sure we front there.”
The Wallabies scored three tries against France’s four but never looked like beating one of the tournament favourites.
They trailed 16-5 at half-time, with Gordon leaving eight points on the field after failing with a try conversion plus two penalty kicks which meant the Wallabies couldn’t apply any scoreboard pressure.
France opened the scoring with blockbusting centre Jonathan Danty crashing over in the sixth minute off a line-out.
Mark Nawaqanitawase was the Wallabies sole try-scorer of the first half, coming off a beautifully-worked set move, with Andrew Kellaway finding the winger with a long pass.
