France flog Wallaroos to quash final four hopes

Sun, Aug 13, 2017, 8:29 PM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Sharni Williams and the Wallaroos were no match for France. Photo: ARU Media/Brendan Hertel
Sharni Williams and the Wallaroos were no match for France. Photo: ARU Media/Brendan Hertel

The Wallaroos have had their dreams of World Cup glory quashed by a dominant France outfit, falling 48-0 in Dublin.

This was a performance in stark contrast to the inspirational effort against Ireland but that had plenty to do with the irresistible form of the French.

Where Ireland relied on their powerful forward pack to wrestle the win from the Wallaroos, France exposed the Australians out wide through some slick, classy outside backs.

None was more slick than left winger Shannon Izar, who had a hat trick inside 25 minutes.Shannon Izar had a first half hat trick for France. Photo: ARU Media/Brendan HertelThere was a simple formula the French repeatedly used to put points on the Australians in the first term, which finished 29-0.

When the Wallaroos had the ball France rarely committed at the breakdown, slowing the halves down to the point where first and second phase runners became easy pickings.

A French flanker would eventually pounce when the time was right, pilfering the ball free and releasing the devastating backs that were queued up for their crack at an Australian defence that lacked organisation.

Then, with ball in hand, the ball was so quick and so clean that the Wallaroos were repeatedly left scrambling for numbers, France finding space on the edges to put Izar over three times and her fellow winger Chloe Pelle over once in the first half.The Wallaroos were hardly able to get any clear running this morning. Photo: Getty ImagesAdd that to a strong burst from lock Audrey Forlani for the other try and you have 40 minutes of rugby in which the Wallaroos didn't fire a shot, incapacitated by the brilliant French.

That aforementioned formula put Pelle over for her second five minutes into the second term and that would be the try that officially marked the end of any Australian hope of semi finals football, with a steady flow of tries coming through the remainder of the second term.

Where there was so much to take from the loss to Ireland, it's hard to find many positives in this result.

The Australian set piece was mauled, the kicking game found wanting and that, combined with some sublime French attack, was far too much for the Wallaroos to overcome.

Attention now shifts to the third and final pool match against Japan, who went similarly close to victory against Ireland earlier this morning.

Wallaroos 0

Tries:

Cons:

Pens:

France 48

Tries: Izar 3, Forlani, Pelle 2, Menager, Mignot

Cons: Amedee 2, Abadie 2

Pens:

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