Defeat was harsh on the Wallabies, who controlled large parts of the match.
“We had trouble the whole game. But we got the win and it’s important to win in different ways,” France captain Antoine Dupont said. “We lacked control and it almost cost us dearly.”
France’s 11-game win beats their national record from the 1930s. The streak includes a first Six Nations Grand Slam in 12 years and a 2-0 series win in Japan in July.
Coach Dave Rennie’s Wallabies led 13-6 midway through the first half, thanks to a pair of Bernard Foley penalties and a splendid length-of-the-field try finished by Foketi, after Wright beat Penaud on the outside and fed Foketi inside to run to the posts.
France fullback Thomas Ramos pegged Australia back to 13-12 with his fourth successful penalty and, in first-half stoppage time, Les Tricolores showed what opportunism means by taking the lead for the first time.
Centre Gael Fickou kicked ahead from midfield and hooker Julien Marchand benefited from a counter ruck to nudge over for a converted try, putting Fabien Galthie’s side up 19-13.
Foley and Ramos traded more penalties after the restart before Australia enjoyed a strong phase of possession culminating in Campbell burrowing into the corner on his first start. Foley slotted the extras, and his penalty in front of the posts extended the lead to 26-22 with 15 minutes left.
France still looked patchy at this stage, choosing an attacking lineout soon after but fluffing it with a knock-on.
Ramos didn’t waste the next penalty when he continued his clinical kicking with a 40-metre effort, making it a one-point game with eight minutes left.
But Australia responded in kind, as they did all game, and Foley’s replacement, Reece Hodge, landed a tough kick from wide left to leave France needing a try.
Penaud obliged.
France host World Cup winner South Africa next Sunday and Australia travel to play Italy.
- AP