23
Nov,2025
The Wallabies didn’t just lose on Saturday — they were buried. France dismantled Australia 48-33 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on November 22, 2025, sealing the most humiliating chapter in modern Australian rugby history: their first winless European tour in 67 years. The final whistle didn’t just end a match — it closed the book on Joe Schmidt’s turbulent tenure as Wallabies head coach. The scoreboard told one story. The atmosphere told another: despair in the green and gold, jubilation in the blue, and a nation left wondering where it all went wrong.
Australia’s Collapse in Real Time
It started with promise. Matthew Faessler crossed in the third minute, sending a jolt through the few hundred Australian fans in the stands. By the 21st minute, Angus Bell had added another, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like Australia might pull off the unthinkable — beat France on their own turf. But then came the unraveling. France, under the steady leadership of captain Gregory Alldritt, didn’t just respond — they exploded.The turning point? Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s solo try in the 31st minute. He chipped ahead, chased like a man possessed, regathered under pressure, and sidestepped the last defender like he was strolling through a park. That was the moment the French crowd stopped shouting — and started believing. By halftime, France led 27-12. The Wallabies weren’t just behind; they were outclassed.
France’s Offense: Artistry Amid Chaos
This wasn’t just power rugby. It was poetry with bruises. Teddy Thomas Ramos was flawless — five conversions, a penalty, and a try. Nicolas Depoortere struck early and late. Julien Marchand finished a rolling maul like a machine. And when it seemed like Australia had clawed back into it — Max Jorgensen sprinting down the left wing in the 55th minute to make it 38-33 — France answered with cold precision.That’s when Kalvin Gourgues, a replacement center, sliced through the Wallabies’ tired defense and found Bielle-Biarrey for his second try. The scoreline read 41-33. The game wasn’t over. But the spirit was.
Then came Josh Nasser’s try in the 76th minute. Australia, for the first time in 40 minutes, had life. The bench erupted. The fans screamed. But France? They didn’t flinch. Three minutes later, Louis Lamothe finished off the rout — a simple, brutal finish from a lineout drive. 48-33. Game. Set. Match. Tour.
Why This Matters More Than the Score
This wasn’t just a loss. It was a cultural reset. The Wallabies haven’t gone winless in Europe since 1958. That’s 67 years. Sixty-seven years of rebuilding, reinvention, and false dawns. Now, under Schmidt — a coach who inherited a program in decline and failed to lift it — the descent has hit rock bottom.They lost to England (score unknown, but brutal). They lost to Italy — yes, Italy — in a performance so listless it made headlines across the Southern Hemisphere. They lost to Ireland by 14 points. And now, they lost to France by 15 — in a game where they led twice, and still couldn’t hold on.
There’s no sugarcoating this. The Wallabies’ attack lacked cohesion. Their defense was porous. Their set pieces, once a strength, crumbled under pressure. And worst of all — they looked mentally broken. When Tom Hooper got a yellow card in the 60th minute, France didn’t just score — they turned the moment into a statement. Marchand’s try from the maul? That wasn’t luck. That was execution.
What Comes Next for Australian Rugby?
Schmidt’s departure is inevitable. But who replaces him? And more importantly — what replaces the culture?The Australian Rugby Union now faces a reckoning. Player retention is collapsing. Talent is leaking to European clubs. The domestic competition, the Super Rugby Pacific, is financially unstable. And the national team? It’s become a punchline.
Meanwhile, France — despite their own discipline issues (14 penalties, 4 yellow cards) — showed they’re building something real. Young backs with pace. A forward pack with bite. A coaching staff unafraid to take risks. They’re not just good — they’re exciting. And Australia? They’re just… gone.
The Final Whistle
The Stade de France crowd sang into the night. The Wallabies walked off in silence. No handshakes. No smiles. Just exhaustion.Gregory Alldritt summed it up: "We’re happy to finish with a big win today." Simple. Honest. No flourish. No bravado. Just truth.
For Australia, the truth is this: they haven’t won a game in Europe since before most of this squad were born. And unless something changes — fast — the next 67 years might look a lot like the last six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this loss compare to Australia’s previous low points in rugby?
This is Australia’s first winless European tour since 1958 — a 67-year drought. Previous low points include the 2003 World Cup final loss and the 2015 pool-stage exit, but those were single-game failures. This is systemic collapse: four losses in five weeks, against teams ranked below them. The psychological toll is deeper than any single defeat.
What role did Joe Schmidt play in this downfall?
Schmidt inherited a team in transition and failed to instill a consistent identity. His structured, territorial style clashed with Australia’s natural attacking flair. Under him, the Wallabies averaged just 18.6 points per game on tour — down from 26.3 in 2022. His decision to stick with aging forwards and underutilize young backs like Jorgensen drew heavy criticism from analysts and fans alike.
Why did France dominate despite their indiscipline?
France’s attacking talent overwhelmed Australia’s defensive gaps. Even with 14 penalties, their backs exploited space with terrifying speed. Ramos’s boot kept pressure on, while Bielle-Biarrey and Lamothe turned mistakes into points. Australia couldn’t capitalize on French errors because they lacked the cohesion to sustain pressure — a hallmark of modern elite teams.
Who were the standout performers for France?
Teddy Thomas Ramos was flawless with the boot (5 conversions, 1 penalty). Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s two tries — especially the solo effort in the 31st minute — were match-defining. Gregory Alldritt led with grit, and Julien Marchand’s maul try in the 64th minute shifted momentum permanently. Replacement Kalvin Gourgues’ break in the 72nd minute was the dagger.
What’s the future of Australian rugby after this tour?
Rebuilding starts with leadership. The ARU must appoint a coach who embraces speed, creativity, and youth — not structure over flair. Player retention is critical: over 15 Wallabies now play overseas. Without a coherent pathway and a compelling national identity, Australia risks becoming a rugby afterthought — a once-great team now playing for pride, not prestige.
Did any records get broken during this match?
Yes. France’s 48 points against Australia in Saint-Denis is their highest score against the Wallabies since 2018. It also marked the first time Australia failed to score a try in the first half against France since 2017. Most significantly, this loss confirmed Australia’s first winless November tour of Europe since 1958 — a 67-year record of futility.
