Positives aplenty for Wallabies after great escape against France
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie wore the look of a bloke who'd lost the winning Lotto ticket only to find it under the fridge years later as he pored over his side's great escape in the first Test against France.
Down 21-20 with time up and the ball in France's possession, the Wallabies were dead and awaiting burial until a crazy passage of play suddenly exhumed the contest.
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Instead of kicking the ball into touch from a lineout win, Le Bleus conjured up a French farce to match anything seen on stage or film and turned it over.
Australia patiently worked its way through countless phases until the inevitably penalty was awarded and Noah Lolesio piloted the simple chance for a 23-21 victory banked in the 84th minute.
As a relieved Rennie said: "The hooter's gone, the opposition's got the ball…you think you’re in trouble."
And it was mostly trouble of their own doing.
Captain Michael Hooper ran onto Suncorp Stadium with a broad smile on his face but that soon disappeared following a dreadful start to the game.
Tom Banks' failure to find touch from an early penalty seemed to set the tone and it soon went from bad to worse.
Plenty to build on for sloppy Wallabies
Unforced errors, turnovers at the set piece, wasteful kicking and missed tackles had Wallabies fans wondering whether it was their country – and not the French – who had sent out a second string side.
The visitors led 15-0 and a first win on Australian soil for 31 years suddenly looked a realistic prospect.
The Wallabies pulled a try back before the break and were better in the second half, but it appeared they were determined to throw the game away come what may.
Tom Wright butchered a try that would have been easier to score than bomb, needless kickable penalties were conceded and Hunter Paisami tried an ambitious crossfield kick that sailed over the sideline when the Wallabies trailed by two with minutes remaining.
Perhaps we can put it down the impetuosity of youth or just plain good old-fashioned brain explosions.
The positive is the Wallabies somehow found a way to dig their way out of the mess they'd created.
They received great value from their reserves' bench, the scrum was strong throughout and the resolve unquestionable, especially in those dying minutes.
There's much to work on but also much to look forward to.
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