How did the Wallabies squander a 21-12 halftime lead to lose to Les Bleus in Brisbane, 26-42? Another sell-out for a Wallabies match two weeks in a row saw 52,121 of the Suncorp faithful thoroughly entertained by some of the most scintillating rugby they have ever seen in the first 40 minutes, leading France at the break for the first time in 10 years. France have never beaten the Wallabies in Brisbane for 54 years, but have won at Suncorp Stadium when they beat Fiji in the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

A boy from Cairns, Declan Meredith, after a great Super Rugby Pacific season, was given the keys to the Number 10 position on debut, with the best fullback in Super Rugby Pacific surprisngly chosen as his backup, despite having never played 10 at the top level. The curse of the Wallaby 10 jersey strikes again with Carter Gordon & Ben Donaldson picking up calf injuries, so Harry McLaughlin-Phillips was called in to the Wallaby squad despite, former holder, Noah Lolesio, back from Japan cooling his heals on the Gold Coast. Meanwhile, our enforcer at lock, Queensland Reds’ Lukan Salakai-Loto, was playing club rugby for Souths at Chipsy Wood this afternoon against Sunnybank. While France had former Brisbane St. Laurence’s College product and Brothers Rugby former Colts player, Emmanuel Meafou, to utilise his 145kg bulk to score the opening try. Despite a yellow card he was a menace to the locals throughout a brutal Battle of Brisbane.

Queensland Reds captain Fraser McReight got a double in the first half after some great forward work by the men in Gold. The massive crowd were entertained with some younguns enjoying from the stands.

To say that the sport of rugby union is dead in Australia is very narrow-minded, with another sell-out stadium confirmed in another city. The international aspect attracts the public in Australia’s heavy winter sporting landscape. This is looking good ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year on Aussie soil. Tickets go on sale October 1st.

Next week we cross the continent to Perth where we take on Italy.