Australia's late rally came up just short as they succumbed to a 29-26 defeat to France in Paris this evening.
The boot of Camille Lopez took the hosts away from Australia in the second half and a late converted try from Rob Simmons was not enough for the Wallabies.
France got on the scoreboard early with their first phase of pressure as Sebastien Tillous-Borde scrambled over from close range, and Lopez set the tone for a fine kicking display by adding the conversion.
The Aussies reduced the deficit to seven in an exchange in which the two nations traded three penalties, but France moved clear again when Thomas Domingo crossed for his fourth try in two matches.
Lopez added the conversion, but Australia were only one behind by the interval as Adam Ashley-Cooper charged over following an offload from Foley, who kicked five more points to make the half-time score 17-16.
No player touched down again until the 75th minute, by which time France had already put distance between themselves and the visitors with three Lopez penalties and another from Rory Kockott.
Simmons scored Australia's second try and Foley converted to bring the Aussies within three, but it was too little, too late, as the Wallabies went 1-1 on their tour of Europe, having beaten Wales last week.
Joe Fish
