Australia 31 France 25
World champions Australia had some anxious final moments before they held on to a 31-25 win over Six Nations champions France in their second rugby international at the Olympic stadium in Sydney today.
The result sealed a 2-0 series victory over the tourists.
The Wallabies led 13-0 after the opening half-hour and 31-18 with five minutes left, yet they had to defend for their lives in the final few minutes as the French made a last-ditch attempt to snatch the match.
It was only when No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy spilled the ball as he zeroed in on the right-hand corner that the Wallabies knew they had won.
Before 64,703 fans, the Wallabies, who beat the jaded French 29-17 in Melbourne a week ago, found the Six Nations champions a handful at times and could not put them away.
Stirling Mortlock was named man-of-the-match for his two-try performance, but flyhalf Stephen Larkham was another great performer on the night.
Montferrand winger Aurelien Rougerie scored two of France's three tries with flyhalf Gerald Mercerfon landing two conversions and two penalties.
The Wallabies have now won eight of their last nine encounters with France.
Australia: Chris Latham: Wendell Sailor, Matt Burke, Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock: Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (capt): David Lyons, George Smith, Owen Finegan: Justin Harrison, Nathan Sharpe: Patricio Noriega, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young Replacements used: Mat Rogers, Sean Hardman, Daniel Vickerman, Matt Cockbain, Rod Moore, Elton Flatley,
France: Nicolas Brusque: Aurelien Rougerie, Tony Marsh, Damien Traille, Pepito Elhorga: Gerald Merceron, Federic Michalak: Imanol Harinordoquy, Sebastien Chabal, Serge Betsen: Olivier Brouzet, Fabien Pelous: Sylvain Marconnet, Raphael Ibanez (capt), Jean Jacques Crenca Replacements used: Cedric Heymans, Olivier Magne, Christophe Porcu, Jean Baptiste Poux, Yannick Jauzion, Pierre Mignoni,
Referee: Paul Honiss (Nzl)
Att: 64,703