Harry Wilson had hoped to give Brisbane supporters something to celebrate.
Leading the Wallabies in front of a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, the Queensland captain saw his side produce an encouraging first half before France stormed home with 30 unanswered second-half points to claim a 42-26 victory in Round 2 of the Nations Championship on Saturday night.
Earlier in the week, Wilson had predicted there would be “a few supporters coming on Saturday who need a win after Wednesday night” following Queensland’s State of Origin defeat. For 40 minutes, it looked as though the Wallabies might deliver.
Three days after Suncorp Stadium hosted the State of Origin decider, another capacity crowd turned out hoping to see the Wallabies bounce back from last week’s narrow loss to Ireland.
Wilson, a St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace Old Boy, led a side featuring several Queensland Reds players in front of his home supporters, while McReight was Australia’s standout performer with two tries and Paenga-Amosa made the most of his unexpected opportunity off the bench.
Wallabies Make Their Move
France struck first when Emmanuel Meafou crossed from close range after just two minutes, with Maxime Lucu converting for an early 7-0 lead.
Australia’s plans were disrupted almost immediately when hooker Josh Nasser left the field with a head injury. Brandon Paenga-Amosa entered the contest after only a few minutes and made an instant impact, barging over for the Wallabies’ opening try in the 10th minute. Ryan Lonergan’s conversion reduced the margin to two.
France responded through debutant Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, who gathered a clever Romain Ntamack kick to score in the corner. Lucu missed the conversion, leaving the visitors ahead 12-7.
The momentum shifted midway through the half.
Meafou was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Rob Valetini, and Australia quickly made the extra player count. Fraser McReight crossed from close range before adding a second from a driving maul seven minutes later. Lonergan converted both tries as the Wallabies took a deserved 21-12 lead into halftime.
France Take Control
France emerged from the break with greater composure.
Lucu narrowed the margin with an early penalty before Australia’s task became harder when Tom Wright was sent to the sin bin.
The visitors capitalised.
Grandidier-Nkanang collected another attacking kick for his second try before Ntamack sliced through the Wallabies’ defence to put France in front.
Further tries to Florian Verhaeghe and Theo Attissogbe, combined with Lucu’s reliable boot, pushed France clear before Jeremy Williams crossed late for Australia after sustained pressure near the line.
The late try reduced the margin, but France had long since taken control.
Australia’s opening 40 minutes showed what the side is capable of. The second half belonged to France, whose clinical finishing and ability to capitalise on key moments secured an impressive away victory in Brisbane.
Published 11-July-2026
